system on a chip

Different Uses of Sensor ASIC

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Application specific integrated circuits (ASIC) are designed for specific use or application. Basically, an ASIC design will be used for products having a huge portion of the required electronics on a single integrated circuit.

 

Typically, ASICs are thought of usually as only digital circuits. Logic synthesis programs and physical layout are used to design these ASICs through automated place and route programs. While no analog circuitry is included in this setup, one exists in a mixed signal ASIC.

 

Today, ASICs are used in many industries to provide a variety of solutions. Sensor ASIC is just one of the many innovations for the enhancement of human and sensor interfacing. Here are some of the different uses of sensor ASIC in the industry.

 

Sensor Interface and Bar Display Driver

 

This type of ASIC will convert analog input into 1 of 10 programmable ranges. It will then display the result on a segment bar display of 10. Input ranges from 0V to 2.55V as set by either an external or internal reference voltage.

 

Each range has a voltage level with a resolution of 8 bits and stored in EEPROM. Bar and Pointer display options can drive either LCD or LED type displays.

 

           Basic Features of Sensor Interface & Bar Display Driver

 

  • Internal clock oscillator
  • Internal 5V regulator
  • Input range of 0V to 2.55V
  • 10 programmable ranges
  • Resolution of 8bits
  • Temperature ranges from -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius
  • External and internal voltage reference
  • Linearity is ±1LSB

 

Magneto-Resistive Position Sensor

 

This sensor ASIC will be able to determine the angular position of a disk that is magnetically encoded. An adaptive 5 channel IDAC will set an initial operating condition of 5 MR elements.

 

The optimum bias and sense levels can be determined by averaging the signals from 4 quadrature sensors. The circuit will compensate for the variations by way of processing, temperature, and voltage supply.

 

Basic Features of MR Position Sensors

 

  • 5V supply voltage
  • 5 channel IDAC
  • Channel to channel mismatch is lesser than 0.5%
  • Adaptive bias and sense levels
  • Temperature is -40 degrees Celsius to +125 degrees Celsius
  • 1 index and 2 quadrature outputs
  • Range = 0.2mA – 3mA, 64 steps

 

Piezoelectric Accelerometer Sensor

 

This sensor ASIC device will be able to detect the linear and angular acceleration with interface up to 3 piezoelectric sensing elements. For each sensor, there is a dedicated amplifier and window comparator.

 

An onboard EEPROM will be used to tailor the gain and trip levels of each application. Moreover, in order to minimize the power in battery applications, a sleep mode is provided.

 

           Basic Features of Piezoelectric Accelerometer Sensor

 

  • Wide supply range of 2.7V to 5.5V
  • Measures the angular and linear acceleration
  • Adjustable gain of 8 settings per channel
  • 3 piezoelectric sensor channels
  • Wide frequency range of 15Hz to 2KHz
  • Temperature is -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius
  • Fast response time with less than 10 microseconds

 

Modern intelligent technologies require action or notification whenever the environment changes. With the advancement of sensor ASIC technology, it will be possible to detect the changes along with the intelligent interface between the user and the sensor daily.

 

Linear MicroSystems, Inc. is proud to offer its services worldwide as well as the surrounding areas and cities around our Headquarters in Irvine, CA: Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, Anaheim, Orange County, Fullerton, and Los Angeles.