MAX6643/MAX6644/MAX6645
Automatic PWM Fan-Speed Controllers with
Overtemperature Output
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Assume a remote-diode sensor designed for a nominal
ideality factor n
NOMINAL
is used to measure the temperature of a diode with a different ideality factor, n1. The
measured temperature TMcan be corrected using:
where temperature is measured in Kelvin.
As mentioned above, the nominal ideality factor of the
MAX6643/MAX6644/MAX6645 is 1.01. As an example,
assume the MAX6643/MAX6644/MAX6645 are configured with a CPU that has an ideality factor of 1.008. If
the diode has no series resistance, the measured data
is related to the real temperature as follows:
For a real temperature of +60°C (333.15K), the measured temperature is 59.33°C (332.49K), which is an
error of -0.66°C.
Effect of Series Resistance
Series resistance in a sense diode contributes additional errors. For nominal diode currents of 10µA and
100µA, change in the measured voltage is:
Since 1°C corresponds to 198.6µV, series resistance
contributes a temperature offset of:
Assume that the diode being measured has a series
resistance of 3Ω. The series resistance contributes an
offset of:
The effects of the ideality factor and series resistance
are additive. If the diode has an ideality factor of 1.008
and series resistance of 3Ω, the total offset can be calculated by adding error due to series resistance with
error due to ideality factor:
1.36°C - 0.66°C = 0.7°C
for a diode temperature of +60.7°C.
In this example, the effect of the series resistance and
the ideality factor partially cancel each other.
For best accuracy, the discrete transistor should be a
small-signal device with its collector connected to
base, and emitter connected to GND. Table 5 lists
examples of discrete transistors that are appropriate for
use with the MAX6643/MAX6644/MAX6645.
The transistor must have a relatively high forward voltage; otherwise, the ADC input voltage range can be violated. The forward voltage at the highest expected
temperature must be greater than 0.25V at 10µA, and at
the lowest expected temperature, the forward voltage
must be less than 0.95V at 100µA. Large power transistors must not be used. Also, ensure that the base resistance is less than 100Ω. Tight specifications for forward
current gain (50 < ß <150, for example) indicate that the
manufacturer has good process controls and that the
devices have consistent VBEcharacteristics.
ADC Noise Filtering
The integrating ADC has inherently good noise rejection, especially of low-frequency signals such as
60Hz/120Hz power-supply hum. Micropower operation
places constraints on high-frequency noise rejection.
Lay out the PC board carefully with proper external
noise filtering for high-accuracy remote measurements
in electrically noisy environments.
Filter high-frequency electromagnetic interference
(EMI) at the DXP pins with an external 2200pF capacitor connected between DXP, DXP1, or DXP2 and
ground. This capacitor can be increased to about
3300pF (max), including cable capacitance. A capacitance higher than 3300pF introduces errors due to the
rise time of the switched-current source.
Twisted Pairs and Shielded Cables
For remote-sensor distances longer than 8in, or in particularly noisy environments, a twisted pair is recommended. Its practical length is 6ft to 12ft (typ) before
noise becomes a problem, as tested in a noisy electronics laboratory. For longer distances, the best solution is
a shielded twisted pair like that used for audio microphones. For example, Belden 8451 works well for distances up to 100ft in a noisy environment. Connect the
twisted pair to DXP and GND and the shield to ground,
and leave the shield’s remote end unterminated. Excess
capacitance at DXP limits practical remote-sensor distances (see the Typical Operating Characteristics).
For very long cable runs, the cable’s parasitic capacitance often provides noise filtering, so the recommended 2200pF capacitor can often be removed or reduced