Voltage Reference Yields 1-mV Precision From 12-Bit ADCs

Oct. 13, 2005
Speaking of new approaches to familiar products, bandgap voltage references have been around since the mid-1970s. Buried-zener references have been around since the early 1980s. Now Intersil has some new versions of its voltage references based on technol

Speaking of new approaches to familiar products, bandgap voltage references have been around since the mid-1970s. Buried-zener references have been around since the early 1980s. Now Intersil has some new versions of its voltage references based on technology Xicor developed for depositing a precise charge on a floating gate.

The most interesting is Intersil’s X60008-41, which provides a precise 4.096-V reference. It provides precise 1-mV resolution when used with a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC). It’s possible to make the reference so precise because the technology enables Intersil to set the reference voltage in 250- µV increments.

The most tightly controlled versions of Intersil’s Low Power FGA products run on 500 nA. They claim 0.01% initial accuracy, a 1-ppm/ °C temperature coefficient (TC), a 10-ppm/ √ thousand-hour long-term drift, and 30- µV p-p noise. Compared to band-gaps, that’s four times better on accuracy, three times better on TC, six times better on drift, 25% better on noise, and 140 times less current.

Compared to buried zeners, the Intersil references are five times better on accuracy, five times better on TC, and equivalent on drift. Their noise is 50% higher than buried zeners, but supply current is 3000 times lower.

The X60008-41 costs $6.15 in 1000-unit quantities. More loosely specified versions cost as little as $0.99.

Intersil
www.intersil.com

Sponsored Recommendations

Highly Integrated 20A Digital Power Module for High Current Applications

March 20, 2024
Renesas latest power module delivers the highest efficiency (up to 94% peak) and fast time-to-market solution in an extremely small footprint. The RRM12120 is ideal for space...

Empowering Innovation: Your Power Partner for Tomorrow's Challenges

March 20, 2024
Discover how innovation, quality, and reliability are embedded into every aspect of Renesas' power products.

Article: Meeting the challenges of power conversion in e-bikes

March 18, 2024
Managing electrical noise in a compact and lightweight vehicle is a perpetual obstacle

Power modules provide high-efficiency conversion between 400V and 800V systems for electric vehicles

March 18, 2024
Porsche, Hyundai and GMC all are converting 400 – 800V today in very different ways. Learn more about how power modules stack up to these discrete designs.

Comments

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Electronic Design, create an account today!