One-Resistor-Tunable Micropower Timer ICs Consume less than 2 microAmps

Touchstone Semiconductor, Inc. has added four new, high-accuracy, micropower timer ICs to its rapidly expanding family of “NanoWatt Analog™” timer integrated circuits. These new, higher-single-supply voltage, second-generation timer ICs operate over a wider supply voltage range (1.55V to 5.25V) and consume very little supply current (<2µA).

The Touchstone series of micropower timer ICs are easy-to-use and versatile. They are optimized for ultra-long life, low-frequency battery-powered/portable applications, including micropower PWM control, pulse-position modulation control, clock generation and sequential timing. They can also be used as a low parts count micropower oscillators and compact replacements for crystal and ceramic oscillators.

To set the output frequency (or period) in these new timers, only a single resistor is needed. For the TS3003 and TS3006, the output frequency can be set from 9kHz to 300kz. For the TS3004 and TS3005, an internal 3-bit counter was added that can program the output period from 3.3µs to 233s (TS3004) or from 1.7ms to 33hrs (TS3005).

Three of the timers include a dc-voltage-controlled pulse-width modulation (PWM) output (the TS3003, the TS3004, and the TS3005). All four timers are available in space-saving, low-profile, exposed-backside-paddle TDFN packaging.

The TS3003 features a higher supply voltage version of the very successful TS3001, the new TS3003 timer IC consumes 1.9µA supply current and its output frequency is single-resistor-tunable from 9kHz to 300kHz. Available in a 10-pin TDFN-EP package, TS3003 pricing starts at $0.95 in 1k quantities.

The TS3004 includes an internal 3-bit counter, the TS3004 timer IC also consumes 1.9µA supply current. With a single external resistor, the user can set the output frequency to one of eight settings from 0.0043Hz to 300kHz. Available in a 10-pin TDFN-EP package, TS3004 pricing starts at $0.95 in 1k quantities.

The TS3005 is functionally similar to the TS3004 while only consuming less than 1.35µA, the TS3005 is an extended range timer where the user can set the output frequency from 0.0084 mHz (the reciprocal of 33hrs) to 588 Hz (the reciprocal of 1.7ms). This is three times longer than the next closest solution. Available in a 10-pin TDFN package, TS3005 pricing starts at $0.95 in 1k quantities.

And the TS3006 is functionally similar to the TS3003, the TS3006 is designed for cost-sensitive applications where a fixed frequency output is all that is needed. Available in an 8-pin TDFN package, TS3006 pricing starts at $0.55 in 1k quantities.