News Room : temperature sensors and control ICs

TI Introduces Resistor-Programmable Temperature Switch and Analog Output Sensor

NewsCenter — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 07:00:00 GMT

Small Package and Low Power Suitable for Portable and Battery-Powered Systems

DALLAS (December 7, 2007) - Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN) today introduced the industry's smallest (SC70 package) low-power, resistor-programmable temperature switch that operates over the largest supply voltage range. The TMP300 allows for simple temperature monitoring and control. The tiny size of the device makes it an attractive option for power supply systems, DC/DC modules, thermal monitoring and electronic protection systems. (See www.ti.com/tmp300-pr.)

The TMP300 features a trip point that is set by adding a single, inexpensive resistor, and the open-drain output can control a power switch or provide a processor interrupt. A separate pin on the device provides an analog output (10mV/C) that can serve as a testing point or can be used in temperature-compensation loops. With a wide supply voltage range of 1.8V to 18V, the TMP300 allows for simple thermal monitoring without requiring an MCU/DSP. This lets the device take advantage of existing power buses in numerous applications, from battery-powered handhelds to industrial control systems. Further, the device's low power of 110uA (max) extends battery life.
The analog output measures temperature with +/-3C accuracy (max) and the temperature switch has +/-4C switch accuracy over a temperature range of -40C to 125C. Hysteresis of the TMP300 is pin programmable to two states of either 5C or 10C.

Available Today

The TMP300 is available now from TI and its authorized distributors in a SC70 package and is priced at $1.00 each in 100-piece quantities (suggested resale pricing). It will be introduced in a SOT23 package during 1Q 2008.

TI offers analog engineers a wide-ranging support infrastructure that includes training and seminars, design tools and utilities, technical documentation, evaluation modules, an online KnowledgeBase, a product information hotline and a comprehensive offering of samples that ship within 24 hours of request. For more information on TI's complete analog design support, and to download the latest Amplifier and Data Converter Selection Guide, visit www.ti.com/analogelab.

TI MSP430F47x4 MCUs Reduce Component Count for One and Multi-phase Metering

NewsCenter — Tue, 08 May 2007 07:00:00 GMT

Multiple Low Power Modes and 1.5 Micro Amp Standby Reduce Meter Power Consumption

HOUSTON (May 8, 2007) -- As utility companies adopt electronic-based meter reading technology to reduce costs while offering new services and energy-saving consumer options, Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN) announced the sampling of its 16 MHz MSP430F47x4 ultra-low power microcontrollers (MCU) for one- and multi-phase metering. By integrating up to four individual 16-bit sigma delta analog to digital converters (ADCs), a 32x32-bit hardware multiplier, a 160 segment LCD driver with contrast control, up to 60 KB of flash memory and a real time clock (RTC), the F47x4 devices enable a five-to-one reduction in system components. TI's utility metering portfolio also includes devices targeted at water and gas metering, as well as power line communications (PLC) and radio frequency (RF) interfaces for automated meter reading (AMR). For more information on MSP430 MCUs, see www.ti.com/msp430.
With standby power consumption as low as 1.5 micro amps, a meter based on these new devices allow utilities to drastically reduce overall system power wastage. The F47x4 series of MCUs features several low-power modes allowing the meter to sleep with almost no power drain between readings. An extremely fast wake-up brings the device to full clock speed within six microseconds (us); together with a fast shut-down, this "instant-on" wake-up minimizes time spent in active mode.

Broad Portfolio Offers Full Range of Utility Metering

TI offers a broad portfolio of components to enable AMR-based electricity, water and gas metering. MSP430 MCUs provide ultra-low power consumption needed to extend battery life - over 12 plus years - eliminating costly ongoing meter service calls for battery replacement. The already available MSP430FE42xx series of devices includes an embedded signal processing (ESP) unit that integrates the metering function - including current and voltage measurement and power calculations, for faster system development and reduced BOM. TI also offers dedicated solutions including a single-chip flow meter, the available MSP430FW42xx MCU, which features an embedded scan interface optimized for measuring rotation and AMR interface. For more information on MSP430 devices targeted for metering, see www.ti.com/430metering.

TI's Chipcon radio frequency (RF) technology, such as the CC1100, enables a wireless link between the meter and the meter reader. This increases reading accuracy while lowering collection costs.
PLC offers utilities access to meter control and data over existing high power lines over distances up to 50 kilometers for robust performance in a variety of control and monitoring applications in industrial and other rugged environments. TI's 32-bit TMS320F28x digital signal controllers offer the performance and high integration required for data communications rates of up to 19.2 kbps in the in the sub-500KHz frequency range, ideal for metering applications. For more information on TI's PLC solutions, see www.ti.com/plc.

AMR Saves Dollars for Utility Companies and Consumers

Electronic metering and AMR, estimated to grow to $2.01 billion in North America by 2012 according to Frost & Sullivan, helps meet growing requirements for demand response and outage management features. An electronic meter with AMR reads billing information, performs meter diagnostics and automatically communicates that information wirelessly or over existing power lines back to the utility. Through frequent, accurate readings, AMR eliminates meter reading based on estimates and fluctuating customer billing. Consumers can also become more educated when utilities display current rate information either on the meter or in the home. Consumers can also volunteer to have their electricity usage remotely managed by the power company. Utilities would then use AMR to reduce peak loads by remotely adjusting thermostats on high demand systems - such as customers' heating and cooling units. This in turn reduces a customer's monthly bill and helps utilities better mange the load on their networks.

Pricing and Availability

The MSP430F47x4 series of MCUs will be available for sampling in June through local TI sales offices. In volume, the devices will start at $7.50 per 1K quantities. TMS320F28x digital signal controllers and Chipcon RF devices are available in volume and start at $3.25 and $0.99, respectively.

TI Enables Innovation with a Broad Range of Controllers

From ultra low power MSP430 and 32-bit general purpose TMS470 ARM7&#174-based MCUs to high performance TMS320C2000^TM digital signal controllers, TI offers designers the broadest range of embedded control solutions. Designers can also accelerate their design to market by tapping into TI's complete software and hardware tools, extensive third party offerings and technical support. For more information on the broad range of TI's controllers, see www.ti.com/mcu.

TI Introduces Precision Temperature Sensor ICs in Tiny SOT-23 Packages

NewsCenter — Tue, 21 May 2002 08:00:00 GMT

TUCSON, Ariz. (May 21, 2002) -- Texas Instruments (TI) Incorporated (NYSE: TXN) today introduced a pair of digital-output temperature sensor integrated circuits (ICs), from the company´s Burr-Brown product line, which are ideal for extended temperature measurement in communications, consumer, environmental, industrial and instrumentation applications. (See www.ti.com/sc/rd/sc02096).

Packaged in a tiny 6-lead SOT-23 package, the TMP100 and TMP101 contain a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC), silicon temperature sensor and a 2-wire serial interface. The devices feature an ultra-low supply current of 45uA and a shutdown current of 0.1uA, making them well suited for low-power applications. Requiring no external components, the TMP100 and TMP101 are capable of reading temperatures within 2.0C accuracy and a resolution of 0.0625C.
"TI's new line of digital temperature sensors offer an unmatched combination of low power, accuracy, resolution and low price which will benefit any portable temperature measurement or temperature control application," said Tadija Janjic, strategic marketing engineer for TI's high-performance linear products.
The TMP100 and TMP101 are ideal for space-sensitive, low-power systems such as portable and battery-operated devices, automotive applications, electronic test equipment, notebook computers and process control equipment. In addition, it is very useful for monitoring temperature in power supply systems.
The TMP100 and TMP101 feature SMBus and I2C^TM interface compatibility, with the TMP100 allowing up to eight devices on one bus. The TMP101 offers SMBus alert function with up to three devices per bus. Both devices operate from 2.7V to 5.5V and are specified over the -55C to +125C temperature range.
Available Today
The TMP100 and TMP101 are available in 6-lead SOT-23 packages. Suggested resale price in 1,000 piece quantities is $0.75 for the TMP100 and $0.80 for the TMP101.
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