STMicroelectronics Perfects Sensor Electronics Process
STMicroelectronics has revealed a new generation of ICs using an advanced manufacturing process that helps save energy, improve accuracy and simplify the design of sensors.
Applications suited to the ICs range from automotive electronics to smart buildings and industrial controls.
The new ICs are miniature amplifiers (op-amps) used to condition very small sensor signals. Benefiting from the advanced 16V CMOS manufacturing process, developed in-house, ST's new op-amps deliver better accuracy than existing devices, with greater long-term stability.
What's more, the process enables tiny die sizes permitting ultra-small surface-mount packages. Extremely low power consumption makes the op-amps ideal for battery or solar-powered equipment.
The new op-amps also have enhanced electro-static discharge protection, up to 4 kV, and can operate from - 40°C to 125°C allowing use in harsh industrial or automotive environments.
ST intends to release automotive-qualified versions of these devices in 2013.
The TSX561, TSX562 and TSX564, containing one (single), two (dual) and four (quad) op-amps respectively, operate over a wide supply-voltage range from 3V to 16V. This enables their use with a variety of industry-standard supply voltages such as 3V, 5V, 12V or ± 5V.
The new devices join ST's broad op-amp portfolio, which give designers many choices of operating voltage, precision characteristics, Gain-Bandwidth Product (GBP) and power consumption. These include the TSV5 series offering similar performance for 5V operation, and the 10V TS94 series that draws just 1.2 µA for use in low-speed applications up to 10 kHz.
The TSX56 series features a maximum input-offset voltage of 600 µV and an input bias current of 1 pA. Typical quiescent current at 5V is 240 µA and the gain-bandwidth is 900 kHz.
The TSX561 single comes as in a SOT23-5 package, the TSX562 dual is a DFN8 2 x 2mm, MiniSO-8 while the TSX564 quad has a 3 x 3mm QFN16 TSSOP14package
The TSX56 series are in mass production now, priced from $0.50 depending on the configuration and packaging, in quantities of 1,000 units. Alternative pricing options for higher quantities are available on request.
