New A/D Converter Rejects Noise in 50 or 60 Hz Line Frequencies, Resulting in Highly Accurate Measurements
CHANDLER, Ariz.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Feb. 14, 2006— Microchip Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced an addition to its low-power, high-resolution delta-sigma analog-to-digital (A/D) converter family. The MCP3550 joins the recently announced MCP3551 and MCP3553 A/D converters as one of the lowest power, smallest A/D converters on the market with greater than 16-bit resolution. This new 22-bit device is available in an 8-pin MSOP package (3.1 mm x 3.1 mm x 1.18 mm) and offers low-current operation of only 120 microamperes, typical. It rejects noise in either the 50 or 60 Hz line frequencies, resulting in highly accurate measurements for consumer, industrial, battery-powered and portable devices.The MCP3550 A/D converter features Integral Nonlinearity (INL) of +/-2 ppm typical, power consumption of 0.6 milliwatts maximum at 5 volts, and output noise as low as 2.5 microvolts root mean square (RMS). The device rejects 50 or 60 Hz noise greater than 120 dB, which makes its measurements impervious to noise from power supplies in these line frequencies. The result is highly accurate measurements and a superior level of effective resolution.
"Our customers are challenged to design smaller and smaller devices that use fewer components, while providing highly accurate measurements and longer battery life," said Trent Butcher, senior product marketing engineer with Microchip's Analog and Interface Products Division. "With its industry-leading low current operation, frequency rejection and 22-bit resolution, the MCP3550 A/D converter addresses these challenges. Plus, it is available in the small, 8-pin MSOP package that is ideal for space-constrained applications like portable and battery-powered electronic devices."
The MCP3550-50 (50 Hz rejection) has a sample rate of 12.5 samples per second (sps), and the MCP3550-60 (60 Hz rejection) has a sample rate of 15 sps. Both versions of the A/D converter offer auto calibration with every conversion, and an extended temperature range of -40 degrees Celsius to +125 degrees Celsius.
The new A/D converter targets a variety of applications, including: industrial (instrumentation, pressure sensors, weigh scales, handheld meters and multimeters); medical (heart-rate monitors and blood-glucose meters); consumer (weigh scales and handheld meters); and automotive (sensor interfaces).
Development Support
Microchip offers the MCP3551 Delta-Sigma A/D Converter PICtail(TM) Demonstration Board (Part # MCP3551DM-PCTL) to support development using the MCP3550 A/D converter. The board is available today at www.microchipdirect.com for $40.
Pricing and Availability
Sampling and volume production of the MCP3550-50/60 are available today at http://sample.microchip.com and www.microchipdirect.com, respectively. The devices cost $3.20 each in 10,000-unit quantities for the 8-pin SOIC package, and $3.23 each in 10,000-unit quantities for the 8-pin MSOP package. For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site at www.microchip.com/MCP355X.
Microchip Customer Support
Microchip is committed to supporting its customers by helping design engineers develop products faster and more efficiently. Customers can access four main service areas at www.microchip.com. The Support area provides a fast way to get questions answered; the Sample area offers free evaluation samples of any Microchip device; microchipDIRECT provides 24-hour pricing, ordering, inventory and credit for convenient purchasing of all Microchip devices and development tools; finally, the Training area educates customers through webinars, sign-ups for local seminar and workshop courses, and information about the annual MASTERs events held throughout the world.
About Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Ariz., Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip Web site at www.microchip.com.
Note: The Microchip name and logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the United States and other countries. PICtail is a trademark of Microchip Technology Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.
Photo and block diagram available through editorial contact.
Keywords:
Semiconductor Applications: Computer/Peripheral; Mobile; Handheld/PDA/Palmtop
Semiconductor Applications: Medical; Clinical Equipment; Blood Analyzer
Semiconductor Applications: Automotive; Safety/Security; Tire Pressure
Semiconductor Applications: Wireless Communications; Mobile Handsets
Semiconductor Applications: Industrial/Instrumentation; Factory Automation; Sensor Signal Conditioning
Semiconductor Applications: Power Management; Power Conversion
Contact:
Microchip Technology Inc., Chandler Editorial Contact: Michelle Ragsdale, 480-792-4111 Email Contact or Reader/Literature Inquiries: 888-MCU-MCHP www.microchip.com/MCP355X