Available with integrated innovative features such as power loss braking (A89332) and AC loss braking (A89332-1), these controllers enable compact, high-airflow fan designs to improve thermal efficiency, reducing energy consumption and data center costs.
When server fans malfunction or fail, backflow causes them to spin in reverse. The other fans have to work harder to compensate for the resulting airflow, increasing power consumption. The traditional solution to prevent reverse rotation is to add external circuitry and components to act as a power loss brake—components that don't fit in 1U fans. This approach requires software coding, increases the bill of materials (BoM), and extends time to market.
By addressing these weaknesses, the A89332's integrated Power Loss Brake (PLB) feature applies a brake to malfunctioning fans, preventing them from spinning, with braking performance four times better than discrete implementations. This eliminates unnecessary power consumption and increases thermal efficiency, ultimately reducing data center costs. When combined with the A89332-1's AC loss logic, Allegro can now offer the high-end server market gate drivers in a 4 mm x 4 mm QFN package that is 36% smaller than comparable options, ideal for donut-shaped PCBs.
Allegro offers the industry's only code-free solutions for server cooling fans. The company's innovative built-in algorithms and graphical user interface (GUI) eliminate the need for an additional Hall-effect position sensor and motor control unit (MCU), and no additional software development is required. This helps system designers reduce R&D overhead, simplify motor configuration, and improve time to market. The reduced need for external components further optimizes system cost and improves reliability, and the integrated functionality gives customers greater flexibility when facing stringent design requirements.
Both gate controllers build upon Allegro's history and expertise in developing unique motor control devices for the automotive and industrial markets. With over three billion units sold in the last decade, the company's reliable and safe motor controllers have helped manufacturers innovate safer, more robust, and more dependable motor controller solutions. They can be found in automotive, industrial, and consumer applications in products ranging from electric vehicles to cordless power tools and vacuum cleaners.
“The need to build data centers that operate more sustainably and consume less energy is accelerating,” says Andy Wang, product line manager for Motors at Allegro. “It’s not just about building low-maintenance, ‘lights-off’ facilities; server and component designers are looking for new and innovative ways to reduce heat and energy consumption, and fans play a significant role. We’ve been focused on the data center market for some time, and with the addition of the A89332 and A89332-1, we’re giving them enhanced control over their cooling systems for maximum efficiency.”.
Both devices are available in a 4 mm × 4 mm 26-pin QFN package with an exposed thermal pad (EX suffix). These packages are lead-free (Pb), with a 100% matte tin-plated lead frame coating.
