LINEAR TECHNOLOGY LTC4218 User Manual
Summary
The LTC4218 is a robust Hot Swap controller designed for safely powering components in live backplane environments. This manual provides comprehensive technical details on how the device manages power integrity, offering protection features including adjustable current limiting, undervoltage/overvoltage monitoring, and powergood signaling across wide voltages (2.9V to 26.5V). It is ideal for engineers developing high-reliability server infrastructure, RAID systems, and industrial I/O cards that require dependable power management during module hot-plugging.
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LTC4218
Hot Swap Controller
FEATURES DESCRIPTION ■ Wide Operating Voltage Range: 2.9V to 26.5V
The LTC®4218 is a Hot Swap™ controller that allows a board
■ Adjustable, 5% Accurate (15m V) Current Limit
to be safely inserted and removed from a live backplane.
■ Current Monitor Output
An internal high side switch driver controls the gate of an
■ Adjustable Current Limit Timer Before Fault
external N-channel MOSFET for supply voltages from 2.9V
■ Powergood and Fault Outputs
to 26.5V. A dedicated 12V version (LTC4218-12) contains
■ Adjustable Inrush Current Control
preset 12V specifi c thresholds, while the standard LTC4218
■ 2% Accurate Undervoltage and Overvoltage
allows adjustable thresholds.
Protection
The LTC4218 provides an accurate (5%) current limit with
■ Available in 16-Lead SSOP and 16-Pin 5mm × 3mm
current foldback limiting. The current limit threshold can
DFN Packages
be adjusted dynamically using an external pin. Additional features include a current monitor output that amplifi es
APPLICATIONS the sense voltage for ground referenced current sensing.
Overvoltage, undervoltage and powergood monitoring
■ RAID Systems
are also provided.
■ ATCA, AMC, μTCA Systems
■ Server I/O Cards , LT, LTC and LTM are registered trademarks of Linear Technology Corporation. Hot Swap is a trademark of Linear Technology Corporation. All other trademarks are the
■ Industrial property of their respective owners.
TYPICAL APPLICATION
12V, 6A Card Resident Application Power-Up Waveform
2mΩ Si7108DN VOUT 12V 12V
10V/DIV
10Ω IIN
1A/DIV
SENSE– GATE SOURCE 1k VOUT 10V/DIV
SENSE+
VDD 12V
UV PG LTC4218DHC-12 10k AUTO 10V/DIV
RETRY
4218 TA01b
25ms/DIV
TIMER
0.1μF INTVCC IMON ADC
GND 20k
4218 TA01a
Page Summary Contents For LINEAR TECHNOLOGY LTC4218 User Manual
Manual Details
| Brand | Linear |
|---|---|
| Pages | 16 |
| File Size | 197.58 KB |
| Published | June 21, 2026 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary function of the LTC4218 Hot Swap controller?
It safely allows a board to be inserted and removed from a live backplane.
What is the wide operating voltage range for the standard controller?
The controller supports a wide operating voltage range between 2.9V and 26.5V.
How accurate are the current limit and undervoltage monitoring features?
It provides an adjustable current limit with 5% accuracy, and voltage protection has 2% accuracy.
What types of package options are available for this device?
It is available in 16-Lead SSOP, 16-Lead DFN Packages, and specialized versions like the LTC4218-12.