Analogue / Linear / Mixed Signal ICs

Rohm is claiming a first, with a transceiver IC for the CXPI automotive communication protocol – aimed at body control applications such as steering wheel switches, air conditioning and instrument panels. The BiCDMOS chip, called BD41000FJ-C, enables multiplexing between electronic control units (ECUs) to reduce wiring (see diagram). “To decrease weight, many systems adopt LIN for multiplex communication,” said Rohm, claiming: ...

Microchip has released a thermocouple to digital converter accurate to ±1.5°C, claims the firm (0 to +85°C ambient). Called MCP9600, it includes junction compensation, needs no external components except a decoupling capacitor, and works with thermocouple Types K, J, T, N, S, E, B and R (NIST ITS-90). As well as a digital output via I2C, it has four logic-level ...

Can a microcontroller monitor PSU voltage and current through a single analogue pin? Yes, now that Microchip has introduced its PAC1921, which does just that. The trick is that it also has a serial bus that tells the analogue output whether it is representing passing current or rail voltage at any given moment. The two-wire serial I2C-compatible bus follows the SMBus power ...

Design reuse can apply to analogue circuits as much as to digital, writes Steve Logan, who describes what programmable analogue devices can offer a designer. What would you, an IC system designer, put into an ideal programmable analog device? Start with 20 ports of programmable ADCs, DACs, digital IOs, switches, level translators, and internal and external temperature-sensor connections. Make any ...

Texas Instruments has introduced a battery charger IC with a buck converter with its lowest quiescent current (Iq) specification. The bq25120 has an Iq of 700nA operating at 1.8V. The chip features a linear charger, configurable LDO, load switch along with the buck converter and battery voltage monitor. Battery voltages 3.6V to 4.65V are supported and its charge currents range ...

Motorcycles get their own anti-lock braking (ABS) chip with Freescale’s MC33SB0400 analogue chip, which includes solenoid power stages, but needs no heatsink. “Introduction of the products coincides with the upcoming initial implementation of European Commission legislation making the fitment with ABS for all new motorcycles above 125cc to be mandatory beginning 1 January 2016,” said Freescale. “By incorporating these 7x7mm devices ...

Frontier Silicon has teamed up with Google and Marvell Technology to design a streaming module, with Google Cast, for audio devices. Called Minuet, is offers: Global Cast-enabled audio services (eg: Pandora, Deezer, TuneIn) Spotify Connect Apple AirPlay Bluetooth audio input Wired audio inputs Frontier’s Undok remote control app for audio synchronisation and multi-room audio (Android and Apple). “This module is the ...

Essex-based e2v has revealed a 12bit DAC with an analogue bandwidth that extends beyond 7GHz. The single-core device samples at up to 4.5Gsample/s without interpolation. Called EV12DS400, it includes microwave capabilities and multi-Nyquist operation. Rise and fall times are 30ps for time domain applications. “This DAC facilites multi-band, direct digital synthesis in the L, C and S-bands,” said the firm. “For ...

MACOM has announced 2W and 4W power amplifiers in SMT packages. These 4-stage, fully matched power amplifiers are suitable for Ka-Band SATCOM applications, and provide linearity for either final power amplification stages or driver stages in higher power applications. The MAAP-011246 operates from 27.5 to 31.5 GHz, providing customers with 23 dB of linear gain, 2W saturated output power and ...

Crystek has launched an ultra-low phase noise LVPECL oscillator providing a -163dBc/Hz noise floor at 40MHz. The CVPD-952 provides low phase noise for an LVPECL oscillator, which translates to a typical phase jitter of 75fSec (12kHz to 20MHz). The device offers a frequency range from 131MHz to 200MHz.