The IntelliMAX family of integrated load switches from Fairchild Semiconductor gives designers better control over power consumption in mobile and consumer-electronic products. The switches combine a conventional power-control MOSFET with other circuits that protect the powered electronics and monitor for faults. The small SMT packages and fault monitoring features enhance a designer's power-management options in a product. The IntelliMAX family gives designers either fixed-current, adjustable-current, or adjustable slew-rate outputs.

To help designers, Fairchild Semiconductor recently made its IntelliMAX design tool available via the company's Web site. The online tool lets you choose either Integrated Load Switches or IntelliMAX switches. In the latter group, you can select full-function current-limiting or slew-rate-control devices. Then you choose design criteria to narrow the range of devices in a family to only those that meet your needs. The next step creates a schematic diagram and lets you run a simulation on the proposed circuit. When I chose the IntelliMAX current-limiting devices, I could choose from only four devices. The other 49 devices were labeled "Coming Soon."

During my first attempt at an on-line design, the tool selected only "Coming Soon" components, so I modified my criteria to an input voltage range of 1.8 to 5.5V and a current range from 150 to 1500 ma (adjustable), and the tool suggested three available devices. I chose the FPF2123 and moved to the schematic and then to a simulation. You can vary the component characteristics in the schematic and rerun the simulation. Simulation results plot input and output characteristics of the circuit.

To find a data sheet for the IntelliMAX devices, visit: www.fairchildsemi.com/collateral/brochure/intellimax.pdf.

To access the IntelliMAX design software, go to the Fairchild Semiconductor Web site at www.fairchildsemi.com. Under the "Design Support" tab on the home page, select "Design Center" and then "IntelliMAX, Loadswitch Tool."

To use the tool you must log in or register and confirm your email address; the latter process that took me about a minute. You also can sign up to receive periodic announcements from Fairchild about products, reference designs, and application information.

Do you have a favorite online design tool? Add a comment and help your colleagues.
--Jon Titus