64-channel switch IC increases portability in medical imaging
For medical and industrial imaging equipment, STMicroelectronics has developed the STHV64SW 64-channel high-voltage analogue switch IC. It can be integrated into advanced ultrasound systems, probes, piezoelectric drivers, automated test equipment, industrial automation, and process-control systems.
It has been designed into ultrasonic flaw detectors for industrial non-destructive testing (NDT), as well as into affordable and portable handheld medical echography devices that are raising standards of pre-natal care available to remote and rural communities.
The STHV64SW comprises a shift register for logic control signals, self-biased high-voltage MOSFET gate drivers and N-channel MOSFET switches capable of providing up to ±3A peak output current. The switches respond quickly, with 1.5 micro second turn-on time. Low quiescent current saves power when turned off and low on-resistance with low distortion and crosstalk ensure high signal integrity, adds STMicro. There is also thermal shutdown and under-voltage lockout (UVLO).
ST has created the STHV64SW using proprietary BCD6s-SOI (silicon on insulator) and BCD8s SOI process technologies. These combine precise analogue circuitry (bipolar), low-voltage CMOS logic and robust DMOS power stages on the same chip. The STHV64SW can operate with combinations of high-voltage supplies up to -100V/+100V, 0V/200V, or -200V/0V.
The 64-channel analogue switch IC comes in a small FCBGA package. A companion 16-pulser STHV1600 IC is available in the same package, enabling system manufacturers to increase channel density for superior ultrasound image resolution, using minimal board space, reports STMicro.
The STHV64SW is available now, packaged as a BGA-196 device.
The STEVAL-IME015V1 evaluation board is also available.
