Codeless single coil driver chip helps the server cooling fan upgrade efficiently

     Melexis announced the launch of a fully integrated single-coil brushless direct current (BLDC) fan driver chip, the MLX90418. This is the first codeless single-coil fan driver chip to support server-specific functions such as power down braking and AC power loss management. Targeted at the expanding server market, the MLX90418 offers an efficient single-coil solution that significantly reduces bill of Material (BOM) costs by up to 25% compared to existing three-phase BLDC fans.

     As the industry puts forward higher requirements for data storage and computing processing capabilities, as well as the rapid development of cloud services and artificial intelligence, the number of servers is increasing. This has led to a growing demand for heat dissipation solutions that are both highly reliable and cost-effective.

     At present, the single coil solution has become the standard configuration of server cooling fans with power below 15W. For fans requiring higher power, MCU based single-coil or three-phase solutions are usually considered. However, with the release of the MLX90418, the single-coil solution has been successfully extended to 4cm and 6cm server fan applications with power up to 30W. Code-free plug and play eliminates the requirement for software validation for McU-based solutions, freeing up critical engineering resources, enabling engineers to implement more projects in less time and enable faster production climbs. The MLX90418 not only meets stringent server application requirements, such as AC power loss management, but also features 8A brake current power-off braking (PLB) to ensure safety during quick maintenance and effectively avoid the negative impact of pressure leakage due to fan failure on the thermal efficiency of the server cooling system.

     The latest 30W 4028 single fan solution offers similar pressure/flow performance compared to conventional 4056 dual fans with similar power ratings, while reducing footprint and system cost. Ideal for 30W fans operating at speeds up to 40,000 RPM, the MLX90418 offers a reliable solution for long-life applications and is ideal for low-maintenance server cooling applications.

     "The MLX90418 is a revolutionary plug and play solution that meets the technical requirements of modern data center server cooling systems, delivering superior efficiency, performance and long-term reliability." "With this chip, we have the potential to replace the more expensive three-phase solution and drive the transition from dual fans to single fans, significantly reducing bill of Materials (BOM) costs and engineering time," said Melexis marketing Manager Xuanhong Ou.