adm1027 Analog Devices, Inc., adm1027 Datasheet - Page 20

• Manufacturer Part Number: adm1027
• Description: Dbcool? Remote Thermal Controller And Voltage Monitor
• Manufacturer: Analog Devices, Inc.

ADM1027
FAN DRIVE CIRCUITRY
Fan Drive Using PWM Control
The ADM1027 uses Pulsewidth Modulation (PWM) to control
fan speed. This relies on varying the duty cycle (or on/off ratio)
of a square wave applied to the fan to vary the fan speed. The
external circuitry required to drive a fan using PWM control is
extremely simple. A single NMOSFET is the only drive device
required. The specifications of the MOSFET depend on the
maximum current required by the fan being driven. Typical
notebook fans draw a nominal 170 mA, so SOT devices can be
used where board space is a concern. In desktops, fans can
typically draw 250 mA to 300 mA each. If you drive several fans
in parallel from a single PWM output or drive larger server fans,
the MOSFET will need to handle the higher current require-
ments. The only other stipulation is that the MOSFET should
have a gate voltage drive, V
the PWM_OUT pin. V
the pull-up on the gate is tied to 5 V. The MOSFET should
also have a low on resistance to ensure that there is not signifi-
cant voltage drop across the FET. This would reduce the
voltage applied across the fan and thus the maximum operating
speed of the fan.
Figure 18 shows how a 3-wire fan may be driven using PWM
control.
Figure 18. Driving a 3-Wire Fan Using an
N-Channel MOSFET
ADM1027
TACH/AIN
PWM
GS
can be greater than 3.3 V as long as
GS
4.7k
< 3.3 V for direct interfacing to
10k
10k
3.3V
10k
12V
12V
Q1
NDT3055L
12V
FAN
–20–
Figure 18 uses a 10 kW pull-up resistor for the TACH signal.
This assumes that the TACH signal is open-collector from the
fan. In all cases, the TACH signal from the fan must be kept
below 5 V maximum to prevent damaging the ADM1027. If in
doubt as to whether the fan used has an open-collector or totem
pole TACH output, use one of the input signal conditioning
circuits shown in the Fan Speed Measurement section.
Figure 19 shows a fan drive circuit using an NPN transistor
such as a general-purpose MMBT2222. While these devices are
inexpensive, they tend to have much lower current handling
capabilities and higher on resistance than MOSFETs. When
choosing a transistor, care should be taken to ensure that it
meets the fan’s current requirements. Ensure that the base
resistor is chosen such that the transistor is saturated when the
fan is powered on.
Figure 19. Driving a 3-Wire Fan Using an NPN Transistor
ADM1027
TACH/AIN
PWM
4.7k
10k
10k
3.3V
10k
12V
12V
Q1
MMBT2222
12V
FAN
REV. A