Microchip Technology EMC2103-2-AP-TR
- Part No.:
- EMC2103-2-AP-TR
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- Thermal Management
- Package:
- 16-VQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
EMC2103-2-AP-TR.pdf
- Description:
- IC RPM FAN CTRLR 16QFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
EMC2103-2-AP-TR from SMSC is a 16-pin QFN SMBus-compliant RPM-based fan controller with hardware thermal shutdown, supporting up to three external temperature channels and one internal channel, 1°C external diode accuracy (60–125°C), 0.125°C resolution, and high-frequency PWM fan drive for notebook, graphics card, and industrial thermal management.
For engineers reviewing the EMC2103-2-AP-TR datasheet, EMC2103-2-AP-TR pinout, EMC2103-2-AP-TR application, or EMC2103-2-AP-TR equivalent, key selection criteria include external diode count (3), hardware-trip temperature range (65–127°C), GPIO availability (2), SMBus Alert compatibility, and QFN-16 RoHS package dimensions (4mm × 4mm).
Technical Context
The EMC2103-2-AP-TR implements an RPM feedback control loop with 2.5% speed accuracy across 500–16,000 RPM and supports automatic detection of BJT/transistor thermal diode models used in 45nm/60nm/90nm CPUs. Its 11-bit ΣΔ ADC digitizes temperature data with resistance error correction and beta variation compensation.
It features a dedicated SYS_SHDN output driven by a non-software-modifiable hardware trip register (TRIP_SET), two GPIOs (GPIO1/GPIO2), and a programmable temperature look-up table that maps measured temperature to fan speed or PWM duty cycle-enabling closed-loop thermal response without host CPU intervention.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| External Temp Channels | 3 independent diode inputs; supports discrete transistors (e.g., 2N3904) and CPU DTS diodes |
| RPM Control Accuracy | ±2.5% from 500 RPM to 16,000 RPM; enables precise fan aging compensation |
| Temp Resolution | 0.125°C for all channels; allows fine-grained thermal threshold programming |
| Hardware Trip Range | 65°C to 127°C; immutable via SMBus-ensures fail-safe system shutdown |
| SMBus Compliance | SMBus 2.0 + Alert support; enables interrupt-driven thermal event reporting |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3V only; requires stable low-noise rail for ADC and PWM timing integrity |
| Package | 16-pin QFN, 4mm × 4mm, RoHS/lead-free; thermal pad improves power dissipation |
Pinout & Package
EMC2103-2-AP-TR uses a 16-pin, 4mm × 4mm QFN package with exposed thermal pad. Pin functions are defined per SMSC EMC2103 Revision 0.93 (Fig. 5–7) and validated for EMC2103-2 variant.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VDD | Power supply input | 3.3V main supply; bypass capacitor required at pin for ADC/PWM stability |
| GND | Ground reference | Common analog/digital ground; connects to thermal pad for heat dissipation |
| SMDATA | SMBus data line | Open-drain bidirectional bus; requires external pull-up to 3.3V |
| SMCLK | SMBus clock line | Input-only clock; synchronizes SMBus transactions at ≤100 kHz |
| TACH | Fan tachometer input | Edge-triggered RPM counter; supports 2-pulse-per-revolution fan signals |
| PWM | Fan speed control output | High-frequency PWM driver (up to 25 kHz); drives 4-wire fan PWM input |
| DP1/DN1 | Channel 1 diode pair | Differential input for first external thermal diode; includes series resistance correction |
| DP2/DN2 | Channel 2 diode pair | Differential input for second external diode; auto-detects BJT vs. transistor model |
| DP3/DN3 | Channel 3 diode pair | Differential input for third external diode; supports discrete 2N3904 configuration |
| SYS_SHDN | Hardware thermal shutdown output | Active-low open-drain signal; asserts when TRIP_SET threshold is exceeded |
| ALERT | SMBus Alert output | Open-drain interrupt; signals temp limit violations or fault conditions to host |
| TRIP_SET | Hardware trip configuration | Pin-strapped input selecting one of eight factory-programmed trip points (65–127°C) |
| SHDN_SEL | Shutdown mode select | Configures SYS_SHDN behavior: immediate shutdown or latched shutdown |
| GPIO1 | General-purpose I/O | Programmable input/output; usable for status indication or auxiliary control |
| GPIO2 | General-purpose I/O | Programmable input/output; supports interrupt generation on edge events |
| NC | No connect | Not bonded internally; must be left unconnected or grounded per layout guidelines |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| RPM-based closed-loop control | Maintains target fan speed within ±2.5% across full 500–16k RPM range, compensating for bearing wear and voltage drift |
| Three-channel external diode monitoring | Simultaneously reads CPU core, GPU, and VRM temperatures using calibrated 1°C-accurate diode interfaces with beta compensation |
| Hardware thermal trip (TRIP_SET) | Immutable 65–127°C shutdown threshold set at manufacturing; prevents firmware tampering or runtime override |
| Programmable temperature LUT | Maps 16 temperature steps to corresponding fan speeds or PWM values-enables custom acoustic/thermal trade-off curves |
| Two GPIOs with interrupt capability | GPIO1/GPIO2 support status signaling, external fault detection, or coordination with other thermal ICs in multi-zone systems |
Applications
| Notebook Thermal Management | Graphics Card Cooling |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Real-time CPU and chipset temperature monitoring with adaptive fan speed control in space-constrained ultrabooks. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary fan controller interfacing with CPU thermal diode and 4-wire fan; provides SYS_SHDN to EC on critical overtemperature. Use Value: Enables silent operation below 60°C and aggressive cooling above 85°C using hardware-tripped safety margin. | Use Scenario: Multi-point thermal regulation across GPU die, memory junction, and VRM on discrete graphics cards. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Fan speed coordinator using three external diodes (GPU, GDDR, MOSFET) and internal sensor; drives high-frequency PWM fan. Use Value: Prevents GPU throttling by maintaining <85°C under load while suppressing noise via RPM-based precision control. |
| Industrial Embedded Systems | Network Switch Thermal Protection |
Use Scenario: Fan control in fan-cooled industrial PCs operating continuously at 55°C ambient with extended lifetime requirements. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Standalone thermal supervisor with hardware shutdown; monitors CPU, enclosure, and power supply temps via discrete diodes. Use Value: Eliminates software dependency for safety-critical shutdown-ensures system halt even during OS crash or firmware hang. | Use Scenario: Thermal supervision of multi-core network processors and PHY chips in 1U rack-mounted switches. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Centralized SMBus slave managing four thermal zones; alerts host via ALERT line and asserts SYS_SHDN if any zone exceeds 95°C. Use Value: Maintains ASIC reliability by enforcing strict 90–95°C operational ceiling with no host CPU involvement. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar fan controller applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMC2103-4-AP-TR | Same package and pinout; EEPROM Load enabled for factory-configured defaults | Preferred where boot-time fan initialization must occur before host firmware execution | Select EMC2103-4-AP-TR if EEPROM-stored LUT and trip settings are required at power-on reset |
| NCT7802Y | 4-channel temp monitor + PWM fan controller; no hardware trip output; SMBus 2.0 compliant | Lacks dedicated SYS_SHDN-requires host polling or software-initiated shutdown | Choose NCT7802Y only when hardware-fail-safe shutdown is not mandated and additional temperature channels are needed |
Compared with EMC2103-4-AP-TR, the EMC2103-2-AP-TR omits EEPROM loading but retains identical thermal sensing, RPM control, and hardware trip functionality-making it ideal for designs where configuration is handled entirely by host firmware. Versus NCT7802Y, EMC2103-2-AP-TR provides guaranteed fail-safe shutdown independent of host software state.
Availability
EMC2103-2-AP-TR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for notebook computers, graphics cards, and industrial embedded systems requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant thermal management ICs.
Supply support for EMC2103-2-AP-TR includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.
Manufacturer
SMSC (Standard Microsystems Corporation) was a fabless semiconductor company specializing in connectivity, timing, and thermal management ICs before its acquisition by Microchip Technology in 2012.
The EMC2103 product line delivers integrated fan control with hardware-enforced thermal protection for space-constrained computing platforms where reliability and deterministic shutdown behavior are mandatory.
FAQ
What is the maximum number of external temperature sensors supported by the EMC2103-2-AP-TR?
The EMC2103-2-AP-TR supports up to three external temperature channels via differential DPx/DNx inputs. Each channel accepts thermal diodes from CPUs, GPUs, or discrete transistors like the 2N3904. This capability is explicitly confirmed for the EMC2103-2 variant in the ordering table and block diagram of the SMSC EMC2103 Revision 0.93 datasheet.
Does the EMC2103-2-AP-TR include a hardware thermal shutdown feature, and how is it configured?
Yes, the EMC2103-2-AP-TR includes a hardware thermal shutdown output (SYS_SHDN) triggered by a non-software-modifiable trip point set via the TRIP_SET pin. Eight factory-programmed thresholds between 65°C and 127°C are selected by strapping TRIP_SET to VDD/GND combinations. This ensures fail-safe operation even if firmware is corrupted or unresponsive.
What fan interface standards does the EMC2103-2-AP-TR support?
The EMC2103-2-AP-TR supports 4-wire PWM-controlled fans via its dedicated PWM output and tachometer input (TACH). It implements high-frequency PWM drive compatible with modern fan specifications and achieves ±2.5% RPM accuracy from 500 to 16,000 RPM-meeting requirements for acoustic optimization and thermal responsiveness in notebooks and graphics cards.
Is the EMC2103-2-AP-TR SMBus Alert compatible, and what events trigger the ALERT pin?
Yes, the EMC2103-2-AP-TR is SMBus 2.0 and Alert-compatible. The ALERT pin asserts low on temperature limit violations (high/low limits per channel), TACH loss-of-signal, or internal fault conditions. It operates as an open-drain interrupt, allowing wired-OR connection with other SMBus Alert devices on the same bus.
What is the function of the two GPIO pins on the EMC2103-2-AP-TR?
The EMC2103-2-AP-TR includes two general-purpose I/O pins (GPIO1 and GPIO2) configurable as inputs or outputs via SMBus registers. They support edge-triggered interrupts and can be used for status signaling, coordinating with other thermal ICs, or driving auxiliary indicators-extending system-level thermal management beyond basic fan control.
EMC2103-2-AP-TR Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 16-VQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Function:
- Fan Control, Temp Monitor
- Sensor Type:
- Internal and External
- Sensing Temperature:
- -
- Accuracy:
- ±2°C
- Topology:
- ADC (Sigma Delta), Multiplexer, Register Bank
- Output Type:
- SMBus
- Output Alarm:
- Yes
- Output Fan:
- Yes
- Voltage - Supply:
- 3.3V
- Operating Temperature:
- -
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 16-QFN (4x4)
EMC2103-2-AP-TR FAQ
1.How can I place an order for EMC2103-2-AP-TR through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for EMC2103-2-AP-TR on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for EMC2103-2-AP-TR reliable?
The price and inventory of EMC2103-2-AP-TR are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for EMC2103-2-AP-TR is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for EMC2103-2-AP-TR?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for EMC2103-2-AP-TR transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for EMC2103-2-AP-TR?
EMC2103-2-AP-TR orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your EMC2103-2-AP-TR order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for EMC2103-2-AP-TR?
For technical support, including EMC2103-2-AP-TR datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your EMC2103-2-AP-TR requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that EMC2103-2-AP-TR is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All EMC2103-2-AP-TR products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that EMC2103-2-AP-TR meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of EMC2103-2-AP-TR?
All EMC2103-2-AP-TR units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with EMC2103-2-AP-TR, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The EMC2103-2-AP-TR part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for EMC2103-2-AP-TR:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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