Fan driver delivers smooth motor control
Melexis has expanded its MLX90412 family of single-coil fan drivers with a device that provides smoother motor control for higher-power fans. Optimized for the cooling requirements of data center infrastructure, AI workstation GPUs, industrial power supplies, and home appliances, the MLX90412-D features code-free configuration via integrated I²C-programmable memory.
With a peak drive current of 2.2 A, the device supports fan designs up to approximately 18 W at 12 V and 35 W at 24 V. Its improved motor-control algorithm enables smooth start/stop operation, reduces acoustic noise, and extends fan lifetime. Revised proportional-integral (PI) regulation ensures stable operation even at very low speeds, while multiple start/stop profiles accommodate different application requirements.
By integrating a Hall sensor, motor controller, and driver in a single IC, the MLX90412-D provides an alternative to MCU-based discrete fan and pump control implementations. Configurable parameters include start-up profiles, speed curves, and FG/RD signal output options, allowing designers to fine-tune fan operation without firmware development.
Samples of the MLX90412-D in a 3.3-mm DFN10 package are available now.
The post Fan driver delivers smooth motor control appeared first on EDN.
