Microchip Analog and Mixed Circuits

Low consumption signal processing and power management

The Microchip brand is known primarily as a manufacturer of microcontrollers and microprocessors, memories and other digital circuits. However, the manufacturer's offer also includes high-quality mixed and analog circuits, using innovative solutions, adapted to modern applications. These products are dedicated to applications in industrial and consumer equipment, mobile devices, computers, precision electronics, and even circuits in the automotive sector. There are three groups of Microchip articles below: power management and control, and analog signal processing. We also encourage you to read the details of this range in our online catalogue.

Microchip PMIC Solutions

On PMIC type Microchip systems, that is:Power management IC (integrated power management system), we have already had the opportunity to write in the dedicated article. In this section, therefore, we will focus on general information about these products. Is about DC-DC converters characterized by their small dimensions with a very wide functionality. Its main area of ​​application is powering circuits using microcontrollers and more complex microprocessor systems. They can be powered by typical voltages provided by lithium ion and lithium polymer cells (from 2.7V to 5.5V DC). Its capabilities solve the challenges specialists face when designing electronic systems dedicated to mass production:

The VQFN32 format allows to enclose a complex circuit in a housing with a 5x5mm base.

The MCP16502 circuits support DVS energy saving technology (dynamic voltage scaling), They have 4 independent channels of DC/DC stabilizers, possibility of sequential switching of peripherals. They were closed in VQFN format with 32 pins (5x5mm). In many applications, the functionality of these items will be sufficient to manage the power of all the components of the circuit. In addition, the operation of the MCP16502 can be control externally via an I bus²C.

Microchip also supplies DT100105 starter (evaluation) kits, allowing you to become familiar with the capabilities of PMIC solutions and facilitate its implementation in the prototype project.

MCP1722 Linear LDO Stabilizer

MCP1722 stabilizers are available in SO8 and VDFN8 versions.

Currently, devices in the field of consumer electronics (but not only) use more and more battery power. Rechargeable cells deliver high currents and have a relatively long life. Their disadvantage is the voltage fluctuations they produce: as the battery discharges, it gradually decreases, even by 20%. Of course, there are many circuits, DC/DC converters and components that can stabilize the voltage, but their use has its consequences: they can cause significant power losses or introduce noise into the circuit. The free solution of these inconveniences are the LDO linear voltage stabilizers (low-dropout). The advantages of LDO regulators include: no switching noise (your design lacks the coding section), smallest device size (no coils or transformers required), simplicity of construction and high energy efficiency. Additionally, the construction of LDO stabilizers allows their miniaturization and reduction of production costs (and therefore also its application).

In the context of Microchip's offering and type controllers low-dropout that MCP1722 systems They deserve a distinction. They are characterized by a wide input voltage range: 4,5 V to 55 V DC with UVLO cutoff (Undervoltage Lock Out) in the 2.7V state. The products have two outputs: the first with a voltage of 3.3V DC (max. 50mA current) and the second, offering current up to 100mA for 10V or 12V DC (according to the model). They are also characterized by a very wide operating temperature range (-40…150 °C) and very small sizes: they are available in SMD housings type SO8 and VDFN8. In addition, they are equipped with thermal and overload protections, protecting the system itself and the circuit in which they operate. for departures power good operating in open drain mode it is used to monitor the operation of the regulator, signaling the correct voltage at its outputs. An important feature of the MCP1722 products, especially in the context of mobile devices, is the very low quiescent current: in idle state they require a current of 50 µA. If the circuit uses the functionality shutdown (systems have a dedicated SHDN pin), idle regulator power consumption is reduced at 4 µA (typical).

Very low droop, negligible ripple coefficient, and accurate output voltage value (±2%) make the MCP1722 stabilizers an excellent solution for a number of applications. The range of applications is further extended with the AEC-Q100 certification, i.e. the possibility of using the systems in on-board devices from the automotive sector, for example, window drivers, multimedia system, etc. Microchip regulators are also efficient in controllers for cordless tools (screwdrivers, chainsaws), in electronics and small appliances (electric toothbrushes, hair dryers), as well as in drone systems and other RC models, where a compact and lightweight design is especially important. A single MCP1722 regulator can simultaneously power the microcontroller and provide the proper voltage for the gate driver (gate drivers) intermediating in the control of the H-bridge and, consequently, of the electric motor. Such possibilities allow reduce weight and PCB surface area.

MCP6486/7/9 Operational Amplifiers

Another notable group of analog circuits in Microchip's offering are the Operational amplifiers with the symbols MCP6486, MCP6487 and MCP6489, respectively: single, double and quadruple. They are all designed to work with voltages of 1.8… 5.5V and frequencies up to 10MHz.

Operational amplifiers are integral parts of analog and mixed applications. (mixed-signal). They are most often used in systems with analog sensors (pressure, temperature, humidity, pressure, etc.), where process their output signals, adjusting them to the parameters required by the receivers, actuators or A/C converters. For popular applications, so-called Los op amps  they also need amplification of the output signals of the DAC circuit (C/A converters); In addition, they make it easy to perform many other useful operations, such as filtering out interference, inverting signal polarity, etc.

All MCP648X amplifiers are designed for surface mounting.

Desirable characteristics of operational amplifiers are the lowest possible leakage current, high noise immunity, and low power consumption during normal operation. These are the advantages of MCP6486/7/9 products. in your case leakage current does not exceed 720µA (per amplifier), while systems are equipped with EMI filters (electromagnetic interference) with a common mode rejection factor of 61dB at 1,8GHz. The offset voltage is ±1,6 mV maximum (which will be important for signals of low value). Important advantages of the systems are also: short startup time (ready to go in 2,3 µs); wide operating temperature range (from -40 °C to 125 °C).

Microchip amplifiers are offered in various types of housings (in various pin configurations): MSOP8, SC70-5, SO8, SO14, SOT23-5, TSSOP14. Like the regulators described above are AEC-Q100 certifiedThanks to which they can be used in the automotive industry, fuel pump controllers and other fluids, lighting, electric mirrors, etc. The parameters of the described components allow their application in industrial circuits (power supplies, pressure sensors, optoelectric sensors, gas and liquid flow meters, etc.), as well as medical (detection of vital functions, biochemical sensors, for example, in the field of blood analysis) and consumption (humidity, temperature, movement monitors, gas and smoke sensors, GPS, etc.).

Content produced by Transfer Multisort Elektronik Sp. z oo

The original text can be found at: https://www.tme.eu/es/news/library-articles/page/46841/circuitos-analogicos-y-mixtos-de-microchip/