Tiny Amplifiers from Texas Instruments Minimize Footprint and Maximize Performance

Texas Instruments has launched to what according to them is the industry’s smallest current-sense amplifier in a leaded package and the smallest, most accurate comparators with an internal 1.2-V or 0.2-V reference. Offered in industry-leading package options, the INA185 current-sense amplifier, and open-drain TLV4021 and push-pull TLV4041 comparators enable engineers to design smaller, simpler and more integrated systems while maintaining high performance.

These new devices are optimized for a variety of personal electronics, enterprise, industrial and communications applications, including peripherals, docking stations and notebooks.

 The Key Features and Benefits of the Amplifiers from TI include:

• Reduce overall system size: With a small-outline transistor (SOT)-563 package measuring 1.6 mm by 1.6 mm (2.5 mm²), the amplifier is 40% smaller than the closest competitive leaded packages.
• Improve system efficiencies: Featuring a 55-µV input offset that enables higher precision measurements at low currents, the INA185 enables the use of lower-value shunt resistors to cut system power consumption. Additionally, its 350-kHz bandwidth and 2-V/µS slew rate enable phase-current reproduction to enhance motor efficiency and save system power.
• Increase performance and protection: The precisely matched resistive gain network in the amplifier enables a maximum gain error as low as 0.2%, which contributes to robust performance over temperature and process variations. The device’s typical response time of 2 µS enables fast fault detection to prevent system damage.
• Integration in a tiny package: Available in an ultra-small die-size ball-grid array (DSBGA) 0.73-mm-by-0.73-mm package, the comparators’ integrated voltage reference saves board space while supporting precise voltage monitoring, which optimizes system performance.
• Lower power, longer battery life: The comparators can monitor voltages as low as the 0.2-V internal reference, and feature a high threshold accuracy of 1% across a full temperature range from -40°C to +125°C. Low 2.5-µA quiescent current delivers extended battery life for smart, connected devices.
• Speedy response: Fast propagation delay as low as 450 nS reduces latency, enabling power-conscious systems to monitor signals and respond quickly to fault conditions.
• 15% smaller, 50 times faster: When using both the INA185 and the TLV4021 or TLV4041, engineers can shrink their total footprint to enable smaller systems. In combination, these devices produce the smallest, highest-performing overcurrent detection solution – 15% smaller and 50 times faster than competitive devices.
• System protection: Pairing the amplifier with one of the comparators to support overcurrent detection on rails as high as 26 V delivers more headroom to better manage current spikes.

These new devices join TI’s small-size amplifier portfolio, which enables engineers to design smaller systems while maintaining high performance. The portfolio features industry-leading package options and many of the world’s smallest current-sense amplifiers and comparators.

Tools and support to speed design

• Download TINA-TI SPICE models and reference designs to simulate system designs and predict circuit behavior when using the INA185current-sense amplifier and TLV4021 and TLV4041 comparators.
• Quickly and easily evaluate the new amplifiers with the INA185EVMand TLV4021-41EVM evaluation modules, available today for $25.00 each from the TI store and authorized distributors.

Package, availability and pricing

Production quantities of the INA185 are now available through the TI store and authorized distributors in a SOT-563 package, measuring 1.6 mm by 1.6 mm. Pricing starts at US$0.65 in 1,000-unit quantities.

Production quantities of the push-pull TLV4041 and preproduction samples of the open-drain TLV4021 comparators are now available through the TI store and authorized distributors in an ultra-small DSBGA package, measuring 0.73 mm by 0.73 mm. Pricing for each comparator starts at US$0.39 in 1,000-unit quantities.