Fan Driver

March 31, 2015

Jenny Hessler

Melexis introduces the MLX90297, a 600-mA single coil fan driver integrated circuit developed for energy efficient cooling system designs. A high sensitivity Hall-effect sensor with two half bridge output stages reduces the number of components involved. The speed curve can be tuned through inclusion of an extra resistor, and the soft start and soft switching mechanisms offer improved acoustic noise levels and low vibration at higher speeds while maintaining maximum torque. Reduced driver resistance with built-in current limiting allows application to fans with coil resistances lower than 10 Ω, and electro-static discharge performance is 9 kV. The device is offered in a straight lead, SOIC8 package with an optional 3- x 3-mm (0.12- x 0.12-in) exposed pad package for small fans with motor currents up to 600 mA.