ST Extends High-Side Current-Sensing Portfolio with Low-Power Amplifiers Targeting Automotive, Industrial & Computer Applications
STMicroelectronics (ST) introduced a new current-sensing IC that the company says simplifies the design of smarter and safer systems by sensing current more accurately and giving designers extra flexibility to adjust the sensor’s output before inputting to the system controller.
ST’s TSC102 is a high-side current-sensing amplifier with low power consumption that is designed for direct connection to a small current-sensing resistor sitting at a voltage up to 30V.
This direct connection allows a system to be monitored without disturbing its ground connection, which is essential in applications such as automotive systems or for monitoring power supplies with multiple outputs. The device also has rugged inputs to survive applied voltages ranging from -16 to 60V. These voltages can arise in systems where many loads are switching continuously or there is a risk of a reverse battery connection, such as in vehicle electrical infrastructures.
The TSC102 integrates two op-amps. According to the company, unlike competing devices, it provides full access to the pins of the second op-amp. This access allows designers to implement a variety of signal-conditioning functions such as gain adjustment to optimize the range of the output signal. The op-amp can also be configured as a comparator to implement over-current protection, or as a first- or second-order low-pass filter to promote stable sensing in systems where noise is present.
Major features of the TSC102 include: 2.8V-30V input common-mode voltage range; current consumption less than 420µA; operating temperature range of -40 to +125°C; 4kV ESD protection; industrial-grade variants (TSC102IPT & TSC102IDT); AEC-Q101 qualified variants (TSC102IYPT & TSC102IYDT); and RoHS-compliant TSSOP-8 or SO-8 package options.
The TSC102 is available immediately in sample or production quantities, priced for samples quantities up to one thousand units from $0.72 and $0.86 for the industrial- and automotive-grade variants, respectively.
