Analog Devices Inc. LTC2936CGN

Overview

LTC2936CGN from Analog Devices is a six-channel programmable voltage supervisor IC with EEPROM, designed for FPGA and multi-rail power system monitoring and sequencing control. It features six independent analog comparators (±0.5% threshold accuracy), three GPIOs, I²C/SMBus interface, and on-chip EEPROM for instant-on configuration. It supports fast undervoltage/overvoltage detection (response time <1 µs) and is used in Arria 10 and Virtex UltraScale FPGA power-up supervision.

For engineers reviewing the LTC2936CGN datasheet, LTC2936CGN pinout, LTC2936CGN application, or LTC2936CGN equivalent, this device serves as a rugged, deterministic supervisor for multi-supply sequencing, fault telemetry logging, and real-time rail status reporting in high-reliability industrial and telecom systems.

Technical Context

The LTC2936CGN implements six independent comparator channels, each with user-programmable hysteresis and threshold voltage (0.4 V to 5.5 V range). Each comparator output drives a dedicated open-drain RUN signal for downstream DC/DC enable control.

It integrates an I²C/SMBus interface (100 kHz/400 kHz), nonvolatile EEPROM for configuration retention, and three general-purpose I/O pins configurable as inputs, outputs, or interrupt sources. The device operates from a 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply and supports -40°C to +85°C ambient operation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 16-lead GN (16-lead plastic SSOP), 0.150" wide, RoHS-compliant.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar multi-rail voltage supervision applications.

Compared with MAX6816 and TPS3808G33, the LTC2936CGN delivers integrated six-channel supervision with EEPROM persistence, I²C configurability, and sub-µs response - enabling single-chip replacement of multiple discrete supervisors while supporting field-updatable thresholds and post-fault diagnostics.

Availability

LTC2936CGN is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for FPGA power sequencing, industrial PLC monitoring, and 5G radio unit voltage guarding requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for LTC2936CGN 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

Analog Devices is a global leader in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing semiconductors, serving industrial, automotive, communications, and healthcare markets since 1965.

The LTC2936CGN belongs to Analog Devices' Power System Management (PSM) product line, engineered specifically for deterministic, fault-resilient supervision and sequencing of multi-rail FPGA, ASIC, and processor power systems.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the LTC2936CGN in an FPGA power system?

The LTC2936CGN functions as a six-channel programmable voltage supervisor that monitors and controls power rail sequencing for FPGAs such as Altera Arria 10 and Xilinx Virtex UltraScale. It ensures each rail reaches its specified threshold before enabling subsequent stages, preventing timing violations and I/O contention. The LTC2936CGN achieves this using independent comparators with ±0.5% accuracy, EEPROM-stored configurations, and open-drain RUN outputs that directly interface with DC/DC converter enable pins.

Does the LTC2936CGN support I²C communication, and what is its role?

Yes, the LTC2936CGN includes a standard I²C/SMBus interface operating at 100 kHz or 400 kHz. This interface allows a system controller to read real-time rail status, write new threshold values, configure hysteresis and GPIO behavior, and retrieve fault telemetry stored in on-chip EEPROM. The I²C capability makes the LTC2936CGN suitable for dynamic systems requiring field-updatable supervision parameters without hardware changes.

How does the LTC2936CGN handle power-up sequencing for multi-rail FPGA systems?

The LTC2936CGN executes power-up sequencing by monitoring VIN1–VIN6 inputs and asserting corresponding RUN1–RUN6 outputs only after each rail exceeds its programmed threshold. For example, in Arria 10 systems, it can hold RUN2 low until VIN1 confirms Group 1 rails are stable at ≥90% nominal, then release RUN2 to enable Group 2. Its three GPIOs allow cascaded or conditional sequencing logic without external components, and EEPROM retains this behavior across power cycles.

What is the response time of the LTC2936CGN comparators, and why does it matter?

The LTC2936CGN comparators respond to voltage excursions in less than 1 µs. This ultrafast response is critical for detecting short-duration brownouts or noise spikes that could corrupt FPGA configuration or cause metastability in high-speed interfaces. In systems like 5G radio units, this enables sub-2 µs fault isolation - meeting stringent 3GPP requirements for RF subsystem shutdown before analog signal integrity degrades.

Can the LTC2936CGN replace multiple discrete supervisors, and how many?

Yes, the LTC2936CGN replaces up to six single-channel voltage supervisors (e.g., six TPS3808G33s) in a single 16-pin SSOP package. Its six independent comparator channels, integrated EEPROM, I²C interface, and three GPIOs eliminate the need for external logic, configuration resistors, or discrete timing components. This consolidation reduces PCB area by >70%, lowers BOM cost, and improves reliability by minimizing interconnect points and discrete part variation.