Systemcom Ltd launches new silicon validated Current-Input Analogue Front End with Digital Control and SPI Interface at TSMC 180nm

Zagreb, Croatia - March 2012 - Systemcom Ltd announces the availability of its new silicon validated Current Measurement Analogue Front End with Digital Control and SPI Interface, to be embedded into SoC for sensor applications and MEMS. It is also suitable as ASIC solution. SC-I-AFE-180F210 optimally covers the needs of measurement applications with high requirements in terms of high linearity, wide input current and temperature range.

Interfacing numerous sensors with current outputs in various medical, industrial and consumer applications is made easy applying this IP module.

It is ideally suited for photo sensing, especially usable in biomedical equipment where optical and electrochemical sensors are mostly used. For example in blood analysis devices, oxygen sensors, CO sensors, etc.

Wide range of conversion ratios together with programmable gain amplifier (PGA) enables measurement of low input absolute current values in the range of hundreds of picoA to 1 mA and measurement of current difference down to the level of tens of picoA. The current to voltage conversion features high linearity. Further signal processing enables to perform high gain amplification while keeping the highest resolution. The module operates at supply voltages from 1.6 V to 1.8 V in temperature range from -40°C to 125°C. The IP module is silicon validated in TSMC 180nm mixed signal CMOS technology. The integrated S&H circuit with fully differential output allows easy further use in follow up embedded systems with ADC at its input (either SoC or discrete).

The product development strategy includes a wide choice of customization for application specifics: customizable current ranges (like high current detection up to 10mA), rearrangement of the PGA gain, adjustment of AFE output to match required ADC, etc.

The AFE product SC-I-AFE-180F210 is the latest addition to Systemcom's sensor AFE family of current-input frontends. It has implemented digital logic containing the same core as the IP module SC-IC-AFE-180F209. It is worthy to mention the third member of that family, Current-to-Voltage Converter SC-IQ-IUC-180F310, the interface to the sensor system. It is also the first block of the above described consequential IP modules. More information about complete offering: AFE Family

About Systemcom Ltd.

Founded in 1993, Systemcom Ltd. is a privately owned fabless design house located in Zagreb, Croatia. It supplies IC design service, IP modules and ASICs for worldwide customer base, not only for sensor applications, but also for other high performance analogue, mixed signal and digital ICs. The expertise in microelectronics and SW development has been achieved in the long-time collaboration with Bosch, Intel, HP & Compaq (Alpha) for more than ten years. The company is dedicated to support customers in achieving shortest time cycle from the product concept to the revenue shipment.