A hot-swap circuit and its operation method

Abstract

A hot-swap circuit and its operation method are disclosed. A hot-swap circuit has an input terminal, an output terminal, an input-return terminal and an output-return terminal, a normally-ON field-effect transistor (JFET) and a first switch coupled in series between the input terminal and the output terminal, a drive circuit, and a hot-swap controller. The hot-swap circuit receives an input voltage between the input terminal and the input return terminal, provides an output voltage between the output terminal and the output return terminal, and connects the input return terminal and the output return terminal to a power ground. When both the normally-ON JFET and the first switch are turned on, the hot-swap circuit connects the output terminal to the input terminal through the normally-ON JFET and the first switch. The drive circuit connects the output terminal to the gate of the normally-ON JFET. The hot-swap controller controls the first switch based on the output voltage and the current flowing through it. The present disclosure provides a hot-swap circuit suitable for high-voltage application, offering safe and efficient operation for connecting the load to the input power supply.

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