Toshiba Expands Line-up of Thermoflagger™, a Simple Solution that Detects Temperature Rises in Electronic Equipment

September 14, 2023

Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation

KAWASAKI, Japan—Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation (“Toshiba”) has expanded its line-up of “TCTH0xxxE series” Thermoflagger™ over-temperature detection ICs that can be used in a simple circuit with positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors to detect temperature rises in electronic equipment. Shipments of the six new products start today.

For electronic equipment to perform as specified, semiconductors and other electronic components must operate within design parameters. Internal temperature is a crucial parameter, especially if it becomes higher than that assumed during the design process; it can be a major safety and reliability problem, and an overheating monitoring solution is needed to detect any rise in temperature.

Thermoflagger™ over-temperature detection ICs detect temperature rises when configured in a simple circuit with PTC thermistors, whose resistance value changes with the temperature. The ICs also detect changes in the resistance of PTC thermistors placed near heat sources, and output a FLAG signal in case of over-temperature. When a Thermoflagger™ detects abnormal heat generation and sends a FLAG to an MCU, for example, the MCU will shut down the equipment or change the operation of the equipment or semiconductor that is generating heat. Connecting PTC thermistors in series realizes over-temperature detection for multiple locations.

Toshiba Expands Line-up of Thermoflagger™, a Simple Solution that Detects Temperature Rises in Electronic Equipment

The six new products are TCTH011AETCTH012AETCTH021AETCTH022AETCTH011BE and TCTH012BE. These join the already released TCTH021BE and TCTH022BE and bring the TCTH0xxxE series line-up to eight products. The new products expand the range of PTC thermistors that can be selected by supporting two types of PTCO output current[1]. Push-pull or open-drain FLAG signal output types[2] can be selected, as can the use or non-use of a FLAG signal latch function[3]. Extending the range of product selections enables flexible circuit designs with low current consumption.

The new products are packaged in a small, industry-standard SOT-553 (Toshiba’s package name: ESV), ensuring that the TCTH0xxxE series supports easy configuration of over-temperature detection for complete sets of electronic equipment, and helps to reduce size and power consumption.

Alongside an already published reference design, the Thermoflagger™ Over-temperature Detection IC Application Circuit (TCTH021BE / Open Drain version), Toshiba has made a new reference design available on its website today: the Thermoflagger™ Over-temperature Detection IC Application Circuit (TCTH021AE / Push-Pull version).

Toshiba uses technical information from Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. regarding PTC thermistors for the over-temperature detect solution. Murata recommends Thermoflagger™ for use with PTC thermistors.
Murata's List of Recommended ICs
Murata's PTC thermistors

Toshiba will continue to expand its product line-up with various packages and improved device characteristics that contribute to design flexibility and carbon neutrality.

Notes:
[1] PTCO output current: the constant current supplied from the over-temperature detection IC to a PTC thermistor.
[2] When the over-temperature detection IC detects an error, it outputs a FLAG signal. The push-pull type consists of two MOSFETs stacked vertically. Output current flows in and out in either direction. The open-drain type consists of one MOSFET. The output current flows in only one direction.
[3] FLAG signal latch function holds a FLAG signal after the over-temperature detection IC detects an error, even once. The over-temperature detection IC does not recover itself; it is recovered by inputting a signal from an MCU, etc., to a RESET pin.

Operation example of FLAG signal output in open-drain assignment
Operation example of FLAG signal output in open-drain assignment
Thermoflagger™ TCTH021AE circuit board example
Thermoflagger™ TCTH021AE circuit board example
Simple Block Diagram
Simple Block Diagram
Example of PTC thermistor

Applications

  • Mobile devices (laptop PC, etc.)
  • Home appliances
  • Industrial equipment, etc.

Features

  • Simple configuration in combination with PTC[1] thermistors
  • Over-temperature monitoring is possible at several points by connecting PTC[1] thermistors in series.
  • Low current consumption:
    IDD=1.8μA (typ.) (TCTH011AE, TCTH012AE, TCTH011BE, TCTH012BE)
    IDD=11.3μA (typ.) (TCTH021AE, TCTH022AE)
  • Small standard package: SOT-553 (ESV)
  • Expanded PTC[1] thermistors selection range with two types of PTCO output current:
    IPTCO=1.00μA (typ.) (TCTH011AE, TCTH012AE, TCTH011BE, TCTH012BE)
    IPTCO=10.0μA (typ.) (TCTH021AE, TCTH022AE)
  • High PTCO output current accuracy: ±8%
  • Push-pull and open-drain selectable for FLAG signal output (PTCGOOD)
  • FLAG signal latch function can be selected

Main Specifications

(Unless otherwise specified, Tj=25°C)

Part number Package Operating ranges Electrical characteristics FLAG signal output (PTCGOOD) FLAG signal latch function when abnormal states are detected Sample Check & Availability
Name Size (mm) Supply voltage VDD (V) Operation temperature Topr (°C) PTCO output current IPTCO (μA) Detect voltage VDET (V) Current consumption IDD (μA) UVLO Voltage VUVLO (V)
Typ. Typ. Typ. Typ. Typ.
TCTH011AE SOT-553
(ESV)
1.6×1.6, t=0.55 1.7 to 5.5 -40 to 125 1.00 0.50 1.8 1.5 Push-pull type No Buy Online
TCTH012AE Yes Buy Online
TCTH021AE 10.0 11.3 No Buy Online
TCTH022AE Yes Buy Online
TCTH011BE 1.00 1.8 Open-drain type No Buy Online
TCTH012BE Yes Buy Online
TCTH021BE[4] 10.0 11.3 No Buy Online
TCTH022BE[4] Yes Buy Online

[4] Previously released products

Follow the links below for more on the new products.

TCTH011AE
TCTH012AE
TCTH021AE
TCTH022AE
TCTH011BE
TCTH012BE

Follow the link below for more on Toshiba Thermoflagger™.

Thermoflagger™ over-temperature detection ICs

Follow the links below for more on Toshiba’s solution proposals.

Applications
  Solid State Drives
  Servers
  Tablet Devices

To check availability of the new products at online distributors, visit:

TCTH011AE
Buy Online

TCTH012AE
Buy Online

TCTH021AE
Buy Online

TCTH022AE
Buy Online

TCTH011BE
Buy Online

TCTH012BE
Buy Online

Customer Inquiries:

  Small Signal Device Sales & Marketing Dept.

  Tel: +81-44-548-2215

* Thermoflagger™ is a trademark of Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation.
* Other company names, product names, and service names may be trademarks of their respective companies.

Information in this press release, including product pricing and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current and believed to be accurate on the date of the announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice. Technical and application information contained here is subject to the most recent applicable Toshiba product specifications.

A new window will open