New Current Sense Amplifiers for Current Monitoring in Autos

Microchip's New High-Side Current Sense Amplifiers with Low Offset and High-Temperature Rating

With the proliferation of automation and connectivity throughout the automotive and industrial markets, the need to accurately measure a dynamic current in the presence of high frequency noise often plagues vehicle and factory applications. In order to combat electrically noisy environments and address the need for higher accuracy current measurement, Microchip has released a high-side current sense amplifiers — featuring the industry’s lowest offset for AEC-Q100 Grade 0 qualified high-side current sense amplifier devices.

AEC-Q100 qualified, the new MCP6C02 amplifier is offered in both a Grade 1 6-pin SOT-23 package and a Grade 0 8-pin 3x3 VDFN package. Delivering a maximum offset error of only 12 µV, the VDFN package offers the lowest offset voltage for any Grade 0 high-side current sense amplifier. Specified over a temperature range of -40°C to +150°C, its offset error allows the use of smaller value shunt resistors while also maintaining a high measurement resolution. This enables a more accurate and energy efficient current measurement solution for those applications exposed to extreme temperatures, like the motor within a vehicle’s water pump. In addition, the VDFN package is processed with wettable flank plating, allowing for visual inspection of the solder joints and eliminating the need for x-ray scanning as required for traditional DFN packages.

“The addition of high-side current sense amplifiers to Microchip’s portfolio augments our total system solution for critical functions such as motor control, power supplies and battery management,” said Bryan J. Liddiard, vice president of Microchip’s mixed-signal and linear business unit. “Combined with our mixed signal solutions, microcontrollers, power management and communication offerings, Microchip enables our clients to move quickly from concept to production by utilizing a low-risk, proven supply partner.”

The MCP6C02 and MCP6C04 devices also feature an on-chip electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter and a zero-drift architecture. The EMI filter helps provide added protection against high-frequency electrical interference, such as wireless hotspots and radio frequencies, while the self-correcting architecture brings increased accuracy to current measurement. Together these features enable developers to create high performance solutions in a wide variety of applications, such as creating a current controlled feedback loop for a power supply or motor, monitoring and charging batteries, or monitoring current levels for safety reasons.

Features of the MCP6C04, Zero-Drift, High-Side Current Sense Amplifier include:

More information on the MCP6Cxx Series of Current Sense Amplifiers can be found on the Microchip website at Microchip Current Sense Amplifiers series page.

Note: The Microchip name and the Microchip logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

The Microchip website address is www.microchip.com
[Reprinted with kind permission from Microchip Corporation - Release Date, 16th February, 2021]