Energy-Efficient High-Side Current Sense Amplifiers for Accurate Current Monitoring in High-Temperature Automotive Applications

Published  February 17, 2021   0
MCP6C02 and MCP6C04 High-Side Current Sense Amplifiers

The new high-side current sense amplifiers, MCP6C02 and MCP6C04 from Microchip Technology offer low offset for AEC-Q100 Grade 0 qualified devices, enabling more accurate and energy-efficient current measurement solution for high-temperature automotive applications. These high-voltage current sense amplifiers feature a wide specified input common-mode range, thereby providing the flexibility to address a variety of voltage rails, including overhead for transients.

The MCP6C02 amplifier is offered in Grade 1 6-pin SOT-23 package and Grade 0 8-pin 3×3 VDFN package and delivers maximum offset error of only 12 µV and low offset voltage. Besides, the VDFN package is processed with wettable flank plating, allowing for visual inspection of the solder joints and removing the need for x-ray scanning as required for traditional DFN packages.

The zero-drift architecture of the devices (MCP6C02 and MCP6C04) enables ultra-low offsets, enabling users to use smaller shunt resistors without sacrificing resolution. Besides, it comes integrated with on-chip Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) filters that reduce high-frequency interference and are ideal for harsh, electrically noisy environments. Specified over a temperature range of -40°C to +150°C, the offset error of the device allows the use of smaller value shunt resistors while also maintaining a high measurement resolution. 

The unique features of these MCP6C02 and MCP6C04 high-side current sense amplifiers enable developers to create higher performance solutions in a wide variety of applications, like creating a current-controlled feedback loop for a power supply or motor, monitoring and charging batteries, monitoring current levels for safety reasons and much more.

The MCP6C02 6-pin SOT-23 package option is available for $1.22, while the MCP6C02 8-pin 3×3 VDFN package option is available for $1.41, each in 10,000-unit quantities. The MCP6C04 6-pin SOT-23 package is available for $0.98, also in 10,000-unit quantities.