Representing this year’s best in the industrial category
are an eight-channel, digital-input serializer from Texas
Instruments and a six-degree-of-freedom (DoF) inertial sensor
from Analog Devices. Both devices bring advanced functionality
to industrial designs while saving significant space
compared to similar solutions on the market.
EIGHT-CHANNEL CONVERSION
Designing high-density industrial automation systems that
fit in small spaces is challenging. To help along those lines,
Texas Instruments introduced the SN65HVS882 in June, calling
it the industry’s most highly integrated
digital-input serializer. The device converts
eight digital inputs, ranging from 0
to 34 V, into a single data stream on a
serial peripheral interface (SPI). This
simplifies the design and reduces
overall board space by up to 60% for
industrial automation equipment.
The SN65HVS882 integrates
several key functions typically performed
by external components. For
example, an internal programmable
debounce feature filters out spurious
pulses up to 3 ms on noisy switch
inputs, eliminating the need for
external components or software.
Furthermore, several SN65HVS882 serializers can be cascaded
through an integrated SPI port, reducing both the isolation
channels and controller pins required for high-channelcount
input modules. These capabilities help create a more
cost-efficient, high-density input system.
A built-in voltage regulator converts the industrial field
voltage of 10 to 34 V to a 5-V level, which can power a system’s
isolation device or logic controller. The serializer’s wide operating
temperature range of –40°C to 125°C suits it for process
control systems and factory automation. Individual outputs can
be connected to LEDs to easily observe the input status.
An adjustable input current limit means that a single resistor
can set the maximum input current in the range of 200 µA
to 5 mA. As a result, system-level power dissipation can drop
by more than 50% in typical industrial applications. For 24-V
applications with a 5-V/3-mA turn-on point, estimated power
savings is 275 mW per channel, a boon for applications like
elevators or programmable logic controllers.
The SN65HVS882 is available in a 28-pin HTSSOP package
for $3.00 each in 1000-piece quantities. For more information,
visit www.ti.com/sn65hvs882-pr.
See associated figure
SIX DEGREES OF FREEDOM
In 2007, Analog Devices introduced the ADIS16355, a six-
DoF inertial sensor for industrial applications. This past June,
the company introduced its successor, the ADIS16365, which
comes in a compact module measuring just 23 by 23 by 23 mm.
Both are members of Analog Devices’ iSensor intelligent sensor
product family.
The ADIS16365 makes complex motion-sensing design
significantly easier and more cost-effective for industrial engineers
developing high-performance platform control and navigation
equipment. This industrial measurement unit (IMU)
cuts power consumption by at least 20%. That
along with a tenfold increase in startup
time and up to 50% boost in bias stability
helps lower noise sensitivities that impede
navigation accuracy.
Designed using Analog Devices’
iMEMS Motion Signal Processing Technology,
the ADIS16365 IMU combines
three gyroscopes and three accelerometers,
which gives it the six-DoF motion sensing.
With embedded features like the Precision
AutoNull and a 0.05°/sec/g dynamic
linear acceleration compensation factor,
designers can achieve in-run bias stability
of 0.009°/sec or better without having to
perform further motion testing.
By leveraging Analog Devices’ proprietary
motion and calibration testing
processes, the device captures sensor data and alignment compensations
across all three axes. These are then embedded
within the IMU, along with calibration for voltage variances,
temperature variances, and other influences, which are then
dynamically compensated in-use, all transparent to the user.
Since the ADIS16365, like its predecessor, comes fully calibrated
and compensated for temperature, voltage and more, the
device delivers meaningful data immediately. Several unique
features further reduce design time and complexity, including
an automatic sensor point-of-reference realignment, digital
range scaling, dynamic environmental compensation, autonomous
self-test, and embedded sensor condition monitoring.
The ADIS16365 is backward-compatible with other iSensor
six-DoF sensors, but includes a faster data-access interface,
additional system I/O, a higher dynamic range accelerometer
(17g), and an extended temperature range of –40°C to 105°C.
The ADIS16365 costs $375 in 1000-unit quantities. Evaluations
boards are available. For further information, visit www.analog.com/pr/ADIS16365.
See associated figure