New Industry Products

Zero-Drift Instrumentation Amplifier with Self-Correcting Architecture

July 13, 2014 by Jeff Shepard

Microchip Technology Inc. today announced the expansion of its instrumentation amplifier portfolio with the new zero-drift MCP6N16. This self-correcting architecture maximizes dc performance by enabling ultra-low offset, low-offset drift, and superior common-mode and power-supply rejection, while eliminating the adverse effects of 1/f noise. The result is very high accuracy across both time and temperature.

The MCP6N16’s low-power CMOS process technology enables low power consumption while still providing 500 kHz bandwidth, and it features a hardware-enable pin for even more power savings. This low-power operation and shutdown capability requires less current for the given speed and performance, which extends battery life and leads to less self heating. Additionally, the amplifier’s low, 1.8V operation allows two dry-cell, 1.5V batteries to be drained well beyond typical use, and its rail-to-rail input and output operation enables full-range use, even in low-supply conditions. This provides better performance across the entire operating-voltage range.

The MCP6N16 instrumentation amp is designed for applications that require a combination of high performance and precision, low power consumption, and low-voltage operation. Examples include sensor interfaces, signal conditioning, and stationary and portable instrumentation, for the medical, consumer and industrial markets.

“The MCP6N16 combines ultra-high precision, low power and low operating voltage at a competitive price point,” said Bryan J. Liddiard, marketing vice president of Microchip’s Analog and Interface Products Division. “This combination of features provides a distinct competitive advantage for our customers, across a wide variety of applications.”

The Zero-Drift MCP6N16 Instrumentation Amplifier is available today for samples and volume production, in 8-pin MSOP and 3x3 mm DFN packages. Both package options are priced at $1.52 each in 5,000-unit quantities.