Signal Conditioners Simplify Industrial Control/Automation Systems

Higher functionality, greater integration, and smaller overall size are hallmarks of the MAX15500/MAX15501 industrial analog-output signal conditioners. These devices include a programmable voltage-output amplifier and a current-output amplifier; ±10-V and 4-20-mA outputs operating directly from a 24-V field supply; ±35-V circuit protection; and daisy-chain flexibility. They will save board space and design time in 4-20-mA and/or bipolar/unipolar voltage-output applications, and are suited for programmable logic controller (PLC) analog outputs, distributed I/O, embedded systems, and industrial control and automation. Typically, signal conditioners need precision-matched resistors to track voltages well over temperature. The MAX15500/MAX15501’s integrated voltage amplifier and voltage-to-current converter eliminate the need for those additional resistors, thus saving valuable board space. Further, the MAX15500/MAX15501 has extensive error-handling and error-reporting capabilities, relaying the status of short-circuit, open-circuit, brownout, and overtemperature conditions through an SPI interface and an additional open-drain interrupt output. They are offered in an ultra-small (5-mm x 5-mm), 32-pin TQFN package, and operate from -40°C to +105°C. Prices start at $2.96 each in lots of 1000; samples and evaluation kits are available. MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, Sunnyvale, CA. (800) 998-8800.