June 22, 2016 -- ams AG, a provider of sensors and analog ICs, launched the 1.6mm x 1mm AS6200 integrated sensor. The AS6200’s typical current is 6µA at a measurement rate of 4 samples per second, and its digital measurement outputs are accurate to ±0.4°C.
The factory calibrated AS6200 integrates in a single chip the functions required in a temperature sensing system, with the intent to make it easy for users to design the sensor into their space-constrained or battery-powered products.
The device consists of a silicon bandgap sensor, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital signal processor and a serial I 2 C interface. The on-chip DSP handles all linearization and calibration, produ-cing a 12-bit (0.0625°C resolution) binary output.
Despite its high level of integration, the AS6200 draws little current. Operating from a supply range of 1.8V-3.6V, the AS6200 draws just 1.5µA at a measurement rate of 1 sample.
The conversion rate can be set in a range from 0.25Hz to 8Hz. At lower conversion frequencies, power consumption is lower. In stand-by mode, in which all the chip’s functions are turned off except the serial interface, it draws 0.1µA (typical).
Small and low power, the AS6200 is designed to create new opportunities for manufacturers of battery-powered, mobile and wearable devices to implement digital temperature sensing into new designs without paying a power or space penalty. Industrial process control solutions, and Internet of Things applications such as cold-chain monitoring are significantly enhanced as space and power savings are realized when using the AS6200.
The sensor’s I 2 C interface allows for two devices to be connected to one bus. The sensor also has a pin dedicated to an Alert function, which triggers an interrupt at the host microcontroller when the measured temperature crosses a high or low temperature threshold set by the user.
