Thermal monitors take on more responsibility

A novel family of temperature-to-digital convertors offers a combination of multichannel ADCs and DACs in addition to its core ambient and remote temperature measurement functions.

A novel family of temperature-to-digital convertors offers a combination of multichannel ADCs and DACs in addition to its core ambient and remote temperature measurement functions.

Used in conjunction with the thermal monitoring channels, this additional functionality allows compensation, control and monitoring of circuits and subsystems, including power amplifiers, oscillators, power devices, power supplies and fans.

Combining these multiple functions into a low-cost, one-chip solution allows designers to have more flexibility in optimising their system's performance.

These new products are all SPI/I2C compatible and feature a 10bit digital ambient and remote temperature sensor.

The ADT7411 adds an eight-channel ADC, the ADT7316/17/18 adds a quad-voltage-output 12/10/8bit DAC, and the ADT7516/17/18 adds a four-channel ADC and quad-voltage-output 12/10/8bit DAC.

All are fully operational with 2.7 to 5.5V power supplies and over a temperature range from -55 to +125C.

This family of multichannel temperature sensors is designed for applications such as PCs, communication systems, industrial instrumentation and portable equipment.

In 1000-piece quantities, the ADT7411 is priced at $2.29 per unit; the ADT7316/17/18 are priced at $4.95, $2.95, and $1.75, respectively; and the ADT7516/17/18 are priced at $5.65, $3.65 and $2.65, respectively.

Ideal for space-constrained designs, each is packaged in a tiny 16-lead QSOP package.

All are sampling now with full production scheduled for Q3 2002.

(This was Electronicstalk's Top Story on 21 June 2002).

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