48V Power Systems with Energy-Aware Digital Power Monitoring from Microchip

Microchip Technology has introduced the PAC1761 and PAC1861 families of 65V energy-aware digital power monitors, specifically designed for modern 48V power architectures. These innovative devices integrate accumulated power-measurement insights with robust high-voltage measurement headroom and transient spike protection capabilities. This combination is engineered to significantly enhance the efficiency and resilience of 48V power systems.

The introduction of these devices comes as critical systems across various sectors, including automotive, AI/data center, networking, and industrial applications, are increasingly adopting 48V power architectures. This migration is driven by the need for improved efficiency and the ability to support higher power demands. Microchip recognizes that designers require more than just instantaneous voltage and current readings; they need systems capable of understanding energy consumption over time and responding intelligently to dynamic power conditions.

The PAC1761 and PAC1861 families provide essential capabilities such as up-to-65V measurement and 75V of spike protection, ensuring robust transient survivability. Beyond basic monitoring, these devices offer intelligence to understand and react in real time to energy-usage dynamics, leveraging their accumulated power-measurement data. Microchip positions these families as scalable, low-power solutions aimed at reducing overall monitoring overhead in complex power systems.

Key functionalities include programmable alerts for voltage, current, and power excursions, alongside step-limit detection to identify sudden load changes. Configurable accumulated-energy thresholds enable proactive system management based on both immediate and long-term power behavior. Furthermore, the families offer pin-compatible package options, which enhance sourcing flexibility, reduce redesign risk, and can shorten qualification cycles, allowing designers to adapt to evolving requirements or component availability.

Specifications

Key Features

• 65V energy-aware digital power monitors designed for 48V power architectures.
• Provides up-to-65V measurement capability and 75V of spike protection for transient survivability.
• Leverages accumulated power-measurement data to understand and react in real time to energy-usage dynamics.
• Offers programmable alerts for voltage, current, and power excursions.
• Includes step-limit detection for identifying sudden load changes.
• Features configurable accumulated-energy thresholds for proactive system management based on instantaneous and long-term power behavior.
• Designed as scalable, low-power solutions to reduce monitoring overhead.
• Pin-compatible package options improve source flexibility and reduce design risk and qualification cycles.
• The PAC1761 provides a 12-bit option, while the PAC1861 provides a 16-bit option.
• Available in VDFN-8, VDFN-10, and MSOP-10 packages, including automotive-orderable variants.
• Development is supported by the EV12R33A evaluation board, a Python Command Line Interface, a Linux driver, and a generic C library with MCU code examples.

Applications

• Automotive systems
• AI/data center systems
• Networking systems
• Industrial systems
• Server systems
• Telecom systems
• Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems
• 48V power distribution systems

Availability

The PAC1761 and PAC1861 65V energy-aware digital power monitor families are available now from Microchip, starting at $0.56 each in 10,000-unit quantities for the PAC1761T-3E/E3 and PAC1861T-1E/3P, both in the MSOP-10 package. Customers can purchase the devices directly from Microchip or contact a Microchip sales representative or authorised worldwide distributor.