DALLAS, April 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas
Instruments (TI) (NASDAQ: TXN) today announced the world's first
multichannel inductance-to-digital converters (LDCs). The four new
devices in the LDC1614 family expand the innovative LDC portfolio,
a data converter category that TI first introduced in 2013. The
devices offer two or four matched channels and up to 28-bit
resolution in a single integrated circuit (IC). For information
about the new LDCs and access to a full suite of design resources,
visit ti.com/LDC-pr.
The combination of precision and multichannel functionality will
allow engineers to design high dynamic range position and motion
sensing solutions with simpler system designs and reduced cost.
Unlike other technologies, LDC-enabled inductive sensing employs
low-cost, high-reliability inductors as sensors, which can be
located remotely from the IC. By integrating up to four channels in
a single IC, the LDC1614 family allows designers to distribute
sensors throughout a system, while centralizing electronics on
fewer printed circuit boards (PCBs). This can benefit precision
linear or rotational sensing and metal detection in a variety of
end equipment including white goods, printers, cameras and
automotive infotainment consoles.
Key benefits of the LDC1614 family:
- Multiple, well-matched channels: Enables differential
and ratiometric measurements, allowing designers to easily
compensate for environmental and aging conditions such as
temperature, humidity and mechanical drift.
- Precision measurement capability: With up to 28-bit
resolution, the devices can detect submicron changes in
distance.
- Wide sensor frequency range: By supporting a frequency
range of 1 kHz to 10 MHz, designers have flexibility to use many
types of inductors as sensors. This frequency range also enables
use of very small PCB coils, which reduces overall sensing solution
cost and size.
- Low system power: Powered by a 3.3-V supply, the LDC1614
family consumes approximately 6.9 mW during standard operation and
0.12 mW while in shutdown mode.
- High reliability: Offers contactless sensing that is
immune to nonconductive contaminants, such as oil, dirt and dust,
which can shorten equipment life.
Tools and support to jump-start design
The LDC1614EVM, which includes the ultra-low power MSP430F5528
microcontroller (MCU), is available to evaluate the LDC1614 and can
be purchased today in the TI store for US$29.
System designers can build sensors in minutes with TI's WEBENCH®
Inductive Sensing Designer.
This online tool simplifies sensor coil design based on
application and system requirements. The optimized design can be
easily exported to a variety of computer-aided design (CAD)
programs to quickly incorporate the sensor coil into an overall
system layout.
The 16-button keypad reference design (TIDA-00509) uses the
LDC1314 in a multiplexed inductive keypad system, which can be
easily scaled to allow for up to 64 buttons. This reference design
uses stainless steel, snap dome-based keys, a low-cost technology
option for buttons. The contactless solution supports simultaneous
button press and provides a more robust and reliable design
compared to mechanical keypad solutions. Other inductive sensing
reference designs are available by searching the TI Designs
reference design library.
Package, availability and pricing
Each device in the
LDC1614 family measures 4 mm by 4 mm and is easily configured via
its I2C interface. Pricing and packaging of each device
is listed below.
Device
name
|
Input
channels
|
Resolution
|
Package
|
Price*
|
LDC1614
|
4
|
28-bit
|
QFN-16
|
US$4.75
|
LDC1612
|
2
|
28-bit
|
WSON-12
|
US$3.25
|
LDC1314
|
4
|
12-bit
|
QFN-16
|
US$3.50
|
LDC1312
|
2
|
12-bit
|
WSON-12
|
US$2.38
|
*Unit price listed is for quantities of 1,000.
Learn more about TI's inductive sensing portfolio by visiting
the links below:
- Download the data sheet for the LDC1614.
- Learn more about inductive sensing at ti.com/LDC-pr .
- Read design tips in the inductive sensing series on the Analog
Wire blog.
- Search for answers and get help with your designs in the
Inductive Sensing Forum of the TI E2E™ Community.
- Explore TI's large portfolio of innovative sensing solutions at
ti.com/sensing.
About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Incorporated
(TI) is a global semiconductor design and manufacturing company
that develops analog ICs and embedded processors. By employing the
world's brightest minds, TI creates innovations that shape the
future of technology. TI is helping more than 100,000 customers
transform the future, today. Learn more at www.ti.com.
About WEBENCH Inductive Sensing Design
Tools
WEBENCH Inductive Sensing design tools support TI's
ground-breaking family of LDC products. The Inductive Sensing
Designer and new Coil Designer tools enable develops to easily
generate custom PCB boards and export to popular PCB CAD tools.
TI's award-winning WEBENCH design tools are the industry's only
online environment that enables end-to-end circuit design,
simulation and optimization for footprint, price and efficiency,
with the ability to download schematic and PCB layout files
directly into CAD tools. Component libraries include more than
40,000 components from 120 manufacturers, and TI's distribution
partners update price and availability hourly. Offered in eight
languages, users can compare complete system designs and make
supply chain decisions in minutes. Click here to start a cost-free
inductive sensing design.
Trademarks
TI E2E is a trademark of Texas Instruments.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks belong to their
respective owners.
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SOURCE Texas Instruments