Digitally programmable signal conditioning auto-zero amplifier for sensors

Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI

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14 July 2004 Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI

The AD8555, a digitally programmable, signal conditioning auto-zero amplifier for strain bridge and other sensors, widely used in automotive, medical, industrial, and communications applications.

Analog Devices has integrated into this 4 x 4 mm chip scale package device, a full range of amplifier, comparator, resistor, trimpot, and buffer functionality, providing a complete path from a sensor to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

The device allows systems designers to automatically, under software control, eliminate variations between sensors. Sensor outputs can be digitally programmed for gain and output offset voltage. Prior to the availability of this solution, engineers relied on devices that had lower accuracy and less stability and required manual adjustments that were difficult, time consuming, and expensive.

With flexible controls enabled by a 1-wire serial interface, the AD8555 offers designers a number of advantages over typical discrete solutions, including zero drift, programmable gain, a very small footprint, and lower cost. ADI's low noise auto-zero and DigiTrim technologies, allows the chip to accurately convert differential and single-ended sensor outputs to a well defined output voltage range, effectively rejecting common-mode noise in the process. The gain and offset adjustment can be simulated in-circuit before being permanently programmed. The chip also offers extensive fault detection. In addition, users can add a low-pass filter and clamp the maximum output level to protect low voltage ADC inputs.

The AD8555 has a unique combination of precision and functionality in a very compact footprint (8-lead SOIC or 16-lead LFCSP) that makes it an ideal solution for automotive pressure sensor applications, such as brake, fuel, and manifold pressure sensing. It is also suitable for a myriad of other automotive, industrial, and medical applications.

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Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI

Digitally programmable signal conditioning auto-zero amplifier for sensors

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