24-Bit and 16-Bit Delta-Sigma ADCs for Power Monitoring and Battery Management

Microchip Technology Inc. says that the rapidly growing market of high precision applications requires ADCs with faster programmable data rates, higher accuracy, and more integrated features to maximize system performance. To meet these demands, Microchip introduced a family of compact ADCs that offer programmable data rates of up to 153.6 kilosamples per second (kSPS). According to Microchip, the 24-bit MCP356x and 16-bit MCP346x delta-sigma ADC families offer faster programmable data rates compared to similar devices on the market while delivering high accuracy and lower noise performance.

The ADCs are well suited for use in for high-precision industrial applications, including precision measurement, sensor signal conditioning, power monitoring, and battery management.

Available in a 3mm x 3mm UQFN-20 package, these highly integrated ADCs meet the increasing demand for small packaging in space-constrained applications including portable instrumentation.

Microchip says that most high-resolution delta-sigma ADCs on the market have slower programmable data rates of a few kSPS.

However, the MCP356x and MCP346x families offer much faster data rates, making the devices suitable for a variety of precision applications that need different data speeds, including industrial process control, factory automation, and sensor transducers and transmitters.

The ADCs also integrate features to eliminate the need for external components and reduce the overall system cost. Some of the integrated features including an internal oscillator, burnout current source, and temperature sensor, as well as Voltage reference, and Programmable Gain Amplifier (PGA).

"Accuracy is often sacrificed in ADCs that offer high resolution and faster data rates," said Bryan J. Liddiard, vice president of Microchip's mixed-signal and linear business unit. "These devices offer much faster programmable speeds while maintaining the high accuracy that precision applications depend on."

The new families deliver 24-bit or 16-bit resolution, two/four/eight single-ended or one/two/four differential channel options, offering the choice of the most suitable ADC for a design.

They come with a 20 MHz SPI-compatible serial interface.

Development Tools

Microchip has also released the MCP3564 ADC evaluation kit (ADM00583) to demonstrate the performance of the MCP356x family. The kit includes the following:

• MCP3564 ADC Evaluation Board for PIC32 MCUs (ADM00583)
• PIC32MX795F512L PIM
• USB Cable

All of the newly introduced ADCs are fully configurable with gain from 0.33X to 64X and Oversampling Ratio (OSR) from 32 to 98304. They include an internal sequencer(SCAN mode) with multiple monitor channels and a 24-bit timer allowing the automatic creation of conversion loop sequences without needing MCU communications.

Advanced security features including CRC and register map lock, can guarantee configuration locking and integrity as well as data and communication integrity for secure environments.

Features

• High resolution and lower noise for a variety of precision applications
• Low power consumption for the given speed extends battery life in portable applications
• Small package options, such as SOT-23 or 2 × 3 mm DFN packages, are ideal for space-constrained designs
• Integrated features can simplify design and optimize total system cost
• Programmable Gain: 0.33, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64
• Programmable Data Rates: Up to 153.6kSPS
• Internal Oscillator or External Clock Selection
• Internal Temperature Sensor

Pricing and Availability

The MCP356x and MCP346x ADC devices are now available today in 3mm x 3mm UQFN-20 packages. Options and pricing for 10,000-unit quantities are as follows:

MCP3561 (24-bit, two-channel): $1.82 each

MCP3562 (24-bit, four-channel): $2.79 each

MCP3564 (24-bit, eight-channel): $3.79 each

MCP3461 (16-bit, two-channel): $1.44 each

MCP3462 (16-bit, four-channel): $2.16 each

MCP3464 (16-bit, eight-channel): $2.98 each