Current sense amplifiers have lowest offset for AEC-Q100 devices, says Microchip
Capable of delivering accurate and energy-efficient current monitoring in high-temperature automotive applications, Microchip’s MCP6C02 amplifier is a high-side current sense amplifier which is claimed to offer the industry’s lowest offset for AEC-Q100 Grade 0 qualified devices.
Accurate measurement of dynamic current in the presence of high frequency noise is a common requirement for automation and connectivity in the automotive and industrial markets.
The high side, current sense MCP6C02 amplifier is AEC-Q100-qualified and offered in both a Grade 1 six-pin SOT-23 package and a Grade 0 eight-pin 3.0 x 3.0mm VDFN package.
This package delivers a maximum offset error of only 12 microV, which is claimed to be the lowest offset voltage for any Grade 0 high-side current sense amplifier. The MCP6CO2 is specified over a temperature range of -40 to +150 degrees C, and has a market-leading offset error, says Microchip, which allows the use of smaller value shunt resistors while also maintaining a high measurement resolution. As a result, a more accurate and energy-efficient current measurement can be provided for applications exposed to extreme temperatures, like the motor within a vehicle’s water pump. The VDFN package is processed with wettable flank plating, allowing for visual inspection of the solder joints and removing the need for x-ray scanning as required for traditional DFN packages.
Microchip also offers the MCP6C04 current sense amplifier in a six-pin SOT-23 package.
Both devices feature an on-chip EMI filter and a zero-drift architecture. The filter protects against high frequency electrical interference, such as wireless hotspots and radio frequencies. The self-correcting architecture brings increased accuracy to current measurement, says Microchip. Together these features enable developers to create a current controlled feedback loop for a power supply or motor, monitoring and charging batteries, or monitoring current levels for safety reasons.
Microchip has also introduced the ADM01104 evaluation board which supports both the MCP6C02 and MCP6C04 high side current sense amplifiers. Each device is pin, package and function-compatible. To avoid subjection to high voltages and currents, the evaluation board are shipped pre-populated, providing proper filtering and protection of the input pins. They offer multiple reference voltage options for a quick evaluation of the device for unidirectional and bidirectional modes of operation.
