Date: 09/09/2011

Precision current shunt monitors with offset voltage of 10uV and a max gain err of 0.1%

Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) has introduced the INA226, what it calls as most accurate current shunt monitor, with a maximum offset voltage of 10-microvolts (uV), a maximum gain error of 0.1% and 10 times more accurate than leading competitors.

TI says INA226 targets the designers working with servers, telecom equipment, computers, power management devices and testing equipment, where accurate power measurements are crucial.

Key features and benefits as per TI include:
Single-chip digital solution with I2C interface provides current, voltage and power measurements, simplifying board design and layout constraints with no external mux or ADC required.
Independently programmable conversion times and sample averaging make it easy to customize to the speed requirements of each system, and reduce software and memory requirements.
Maximum quiescent current of 420-uA and maximum shutdown current of 2-uA result in efficient operation that consumes 3.5 percent less power than competitors' discrete solutions, even with the INA226's integrated ADC and power mux.
140-dB common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) and 36-V common mode voltage (CMV) ensure there is little to no change in offset voltage throughout the entire range of operation, simplifying error analysis.

Available: Now
Price: $1.30 each for 1K units
Package: 10-pin MSOP package
An evaluation model is available for the INA226, priced at $75, featuring a USB interface and software for configuring and monitoring the performance of the device. An IBIS model is also available for designers to evaluate the INA226.

For more information visit: www.ti.com