It pays to know the limitations and strengths of widely used methods of measuring current. Sam Locke • Allegro Microsystems Recent technological developments such as fast dc charging for electric vehicles and high-power processing in data centers drive the quest for delivering more power in smaller spaces. Congruent with that quest is the need for […]
Sensors
Proof-of-concept platform evaluates ambient light and heat micro-power sources
Trameto has introduced a proof-of-concept platform for evaluating how to generate a reliable micro-power source from ambient light and heat. Called Severn, the compact platform can be used as a prototype because its size and form factor could be adopted for production. An engineering sample of the TM2040, a four-input, smart EH PMIC is at […]
Current-sense shunt resistor offers 0.5 milliohm resistance, 3-W power rating
High-efficiency current sensing requires low resistance values. However, lead resistance may cause inaccuracies in sensing measurement for ultra-low resistance values. Four terminal Kelvin connections with separate sense and current flow connections eliminate the detrimental effects of lead resistance yielding a very accurate measurement of the power delivered. Stackpole’s CSSK3637 is a four-terminal device offering resistance […]
Battery-free BLE sensor beacon wirelessly powered over 120 ft away
Powercast Corporation and InPlay have created a platform for designing battery-free, maintenance-free, long-range wireless IoT sensor systems that deploy easily for monitoring in the retail, medical, warehousing, and industrial IoT markets. Powercast (booth #641) and InPlay (booth #333) will both demonstrate at Sensors Converge in San Jose how Powercast’s RF-to-DC power harvesting technology is a compelling new option […]
Dual-channel low-side 4/5-A gate driver ICs handle fast MOSFET, WBG switches
Infineon Technologies AG has released the new EiceDRIVER 2EDN product family. Aiming at space-limited designs, the next-generation devices complement the existing 2EDN driver ICs by providing higher system-level efficiencies, excellent power density, and consistent system robustness with fewer external components. Building upon this expansion, the 2EDN family is now able to drive the power switch […]
Four-terminal shunts provide precision current sensing
Low resistance values are important for high-efficiency current sensing because lower values mean less wasted power on the current sensing measurement itself. But sensing low resistance values accurately becomes challenging because of lead resistance errors. Using a four-terminal shunt resistor eliminates the detrimental effects of lead resistance on the current sensing measurement operation. The HCSK1216 provides […]
Fully integrated current sensor excels at wide bandgap power applications
ACEINNA announced the high current ±65 Amp MCx1101 Current Sensor, the industry’s most accurate and highest bandwidth current sensor. Designed for WBG (wideband gap) applications, and available in 3.3- and 5-Volt versions, this highly accurate, wide bandwidth AMR-based (Anisotropic Magnetoresistive) current sensor is ideal for a wide range of next-generation power systems and applications. Units […]
GaN power ICs incorporate temperature and current sensing
Navitas Semiconductor has announced the launch of GaNFast power ICs with GaNSense technology. GaNSense technology integrates critical, real-time, autonomous sensing and protection circuits which further improves Navitas’ industry-leading reliability and robustness while increasing the energy savings and fast-charging benefits of Navitas’ GaN IC technology. Gallium nitride (GaN) is a next-generation semiconductor technology that runs […]
Advanced current sensing for next-gen electronics
Contactless current sensing provides the fast response that state-of-the-art power circuits depend on. Michael DiGangi • ACEINNA The next generation of electronic products will be more powerful and flexible than ever. The advanced circuitry to drive them needs intelligent power management to realize the desired performance. Application spaces like robotics and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) rely […]
All-metal current-sense chip resistors feature 1-W power rating
IoT and Robotics require high efficiency and small size to maximize functionality. For current sensing, this means high power in small case sizes and low resistance values. The CSSH0805 from Stackpole is an all-metal chip resistor with a 1W power rating, resistance values down to 0.5 milliohms, and TCR ranging from 50 ppm to 100 […]
