STMicro intros 16V amplifiers, targets sensor electronics mkt

BANGALORE, INDIA: STMicroelectronics has introduced a new generation of ICs using an advanced manufacturing process that helps save energy, improve accuracy and simplify the design of sensors for applications from automotive electronics to smart buildings and industrial controls.

The new ICs are miniature amplifiers (op-amps) that is used to condition very small sensor signals. The new ICs are based on the advanced 16V CMOS manufacturing process and the company claims that it delivers better accuracy and stability than other existing devices. The process enables tiny die sizes permitting ultra-small surface-mount packages. Extremely low power consumption makes the op-amps ideal for battery or solar-powered equipment.

The miniature amplifiers also have enhanced electro-static discharge protection, up to 4 kV, and can operate from -40°C to 125°C allowing use in harsh industrial or automotive environments. ST will release automotive-qualified versions of these devices in 2013.

The TSX561, TSX562 and TSX564, containing one (single), two (dual) and four (quad) op-amps respectively, operate over a wide supply-voltage range from 3V to 16V, allowing use with a variety of industry-standard supply voltages such as 3V, 5V, 12V or ±5V.

The new devices join ST's broad op-amp portfolio, which give designers many choices of operating voltage, precision characteristics, Gain-Bandwidth Product (GBP) and power consumption. These include the TSV5 series offering similar performance for 5V operation, and the 10V TS94 series that draws just 1.2 µA for use in low-speed applications up to 10 kHz.