The MAX6640 monitors its own temperature and one
external diode-connected transistor or the temperatures
of two external diode-connected transistors, typically
available in CPUs, FPGAs, or GPUs. The 2-wire serial
interface accepts standard System Management Bus
(SMBusTM) write byte, read byte, send byte, and
receive byte commands to read the temperature data
and program the alarm thresholds. Temperature data
can be read at any time over the SMBus, and three pro-
grammable alarm outputs can be used to generate
interrupts, throttle signals, or overtemperature shut-
down signals.
The temperature data is also used by the internal dual
PWM fan-speed controller to adjust the speed of up to
two cooling fans, thereby minimizing noise when the
system is running cool, but providing maximum cooling
when power dissipation increases. Speed control is
accomplished by tachometer feedback from the fan, so
that the speed of the fan is controlled, not just the PWM
duty cycle. Accuracy of speed measurement is ±4%.
The MAX6640 is available in 16-pin QSOP and 16-pin
TQFN 5mm x 5mm packages. It operates from 3.0V to
3.6V and consumes just 500μA of supply current.