Melexis Extends Code-Free Fan Driver Family for Higher-Power Cooling

Melexis has expanded its MLX90412 family with the MLX90412-D, a single-coil fan driver designed for higher-power cooling applications. The new device increases the drive capability to 2.2 A while retaining the company's "Plug & Drive" approach, allowing fan characteristics to be configured without firmware development.

The driver targets applications including AI workstation GPUs, industrial power supplies, UPS systems, industrial drives, data center power equipment, and home appliances where higher-power cooling fans are required but the complexity of an MCU-based controller is not.

Samples are available now in a 3 mm × 3 mm DFN10 package.

Code-Free Fan Control

Rather than relying on a separate microcontroller, the MLX90412-D integrates the motor control functions into a single device. Engineers can configure parameters such as speed curves, frequency generator (FG) output options, and motor-control behavior without writing firmware. According to Melexis, this reduces software development and external component count while simplifying replacement of existing fan control solutions.

The company also positions the device as an alternative to three-phase fan control where a single-coil motor provides sufficient performance, offering a lower-cost implementation for suitable applications.

Designed for Larger Fans

The MLX90412-D supports a current limit of 2.2 A, allowing it to drive fans of up to approximately 18 W from a 12 V supply or 36 W at 24 V. Those power levels make the device suitable for larger blower-style fans used in industrial electronics and AI workstations, where a single high-performance fan may be preferred over multiple smaller units.

The driver incorporates programmable locked rotor protection, over-current protection, overvoltage protection, and thermal shutdown.

Updated Motor Control

Melexis has also revised the motor-control algorithm used by the MLX90412-D. The updated proportional-integral regulation is intended to improve low-speed operation, while new start and stop profiles provide smoother motor behavior and reduced acoustic noise compared with previous implementations.

Learn more and read the original announcement at the Melexis website.

Technology Overview

The Melexis MLX90412-D is a 2.2 A single-coil fan driver that extends the company's Plug & Drive architecture to higher-power cooling systems. The device combines configurable motor control, integrated protection features, and code-free configuration in a 3 mm × 3 mm DFN10 package for applications including industrial power supplies, AI workstation GPUs, and UPS systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is new about the MLX90412-D?

The MLX90412-D increases the drive capability of the MLX90412 family to 2.2 A while extending Melexis' code-free Plug & Drive architecture to higher-power fan applications.

Does the MLX90412-D require firmware?

No. Key operating parameters, including speed curves and motor-control behavior, can be configured without firmware development.

What fan power levels are supported?

According to Melexis, the driver supports applications up to approximately 18 W at 12 V and 36 W at 24 V.