Texas Instruments (TI) recently introduced a new current-sense amplifier in a leaded package, which the company claims is the industry’s smallest, and extremely small, accurate comparators with an internal 1.2- or 0.2-V reference. Offered in industry-leading package options, the INA185 current-sense amplifier, and open-drain TLV4021 and push-pull TLV4041 comparators enable engineers to design smaller, simpler, and more integrated systems while maintaining high performance, according to TI. In addition, pairing the amplifier with one of the comparators produces the smallest, highest performing overcurrent detection solution in the industry, says the company.
These new devices are optimized for a variety of personal-electronics, enterprise, industrial, and communications applications, including peripherals, docking stations, and notebooks.
INA185 Achieves High Precision in Less Space
- Reduce overall system size: With a small-outline transistor (SOT)-563 package measuring 1.6 mm by 1.6 mm (2.5 mm2), the amplifier is 40% smaller than the closest competitive leaded packages.
- Improve system efficiencies: Featuring a 55-µV input offset that enables higher precision measurements at low currents, the INA185 enables the use of lower-value shunt resistors to cut system power consumption. Additionally, its 350-kHz bandwidth and 2-V/µs slew rate enable phase-current reproduction to enhance motor efficiency and save system power.
- Increase performance and protection: The precisely matched resistive gain network in the amplifier enables a maximum gain error as low as 0.2%, which contributes to robust performance over temperature and process variations. The device’s typical response time of 2 µs enables fast fault detection to prevent system damage.
TLV4021 and TLV4041 Comparators Add Functionality and Enable High-Performance Design
- Integration in a tiny package: Available in an ultra-small die-size ball-grid array (DSBGA) 0.73-mm by 0.73 mm package, the comparators’ integrated voltage reference saves board space while supporting precise voltage monitoring, which optimizes system performance.
- Lower power, longer battery life: The comparators can monitor voltages as low as the 0.2-V internal reference, and feature a high threshold accuracy of 1% across a full temperature range from -40 to +125°C. Low 2.5-µA quiescent current delivers extended battery life for smart, connected devices.
- Speedy response: Fast propagation delay as low as 450 ns reduces latency, enabling power-conscious systems to monitor signals and respond quickly to fault conditions.
Small, Fast Overcurrent Detection
- 15% smaller, 50 times faster: When using both the INA185, and the TLV4021 or TLV4041, engineers can shrink their total footprint to enable smaller systems. In combination, these devices produce the smallest, highest-performing overcurrent detection solution—15% smaller and 50 times faster than competitive devices, according to the company.
- System protection: Pairing the amplifier with one of the comparators to support overcurrent detection on rails as high as 26 V delivers more headroom to better manage current spikes.
Package, Availability, and Pricing
Production quantities of the INA185 are now available through the TI store and authorized distributors in a SOT-563 package measuring 1.6 by 1.6 mm. Pricing starts at $0.65 in 1000-unit quantities.
Production quantities of the push-pull TLV4041 comparators are also available through the TI store and authorized distributors in a DSBGA package measuring 0.73 by 0.73 mm. Pricing for each comparator starts at $0.39 in 1000-unit quantities.
