News | September 9, 2014

ZMDI, A Global Semiconductor Company, Launches The ZSSC3218, A New Energy-Efficient, High-Precision 18-Bit Sensor Signal Conditioner For Consumer Barometric Pressure And Thermopile Sensors

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Dresden Germany (Marketwired) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this Press Release.

ZMD AG (ZMDI), an award-winning global semiconductor company headquartered in Dresden, Germany, specializing in enabling energy-efficient solutions, today announces the launch of the ZSSC3218, a leading-edge 18-bit sensor signal conditioning IC (SSC) with an integrated 24-bit digital signal processor (DSP) for linearization and calibration functions. As a global supplier of analog and mixed signal solutions for automotive, industrial, medical, information technology and consumer applications, ZMDI has developed the ZSSC3218 to expand its Sensor Signal Conditioner ICs Family for high-end sensor modules.

Optimized for high-resolution industrial, consumer and medical applications, this sensor interface IC combines a 24-bit DSP, high accuracy amplification and 18-bit precision analog-to-digital conversion with special features for battery-driven low-power devices, including 1mA typical overall current consumption, ultra-low 20nA typical sleep mode current and a 1.68 to 3.6 V power supply range. It features an intelligent power-save scheme to ensure lowest overall current consumption and internal filter options for low-noise output signals as well as intelligent alarm and interrupt features. The internal supply regulator with an excellent power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) eliminates the need for an external buffer capacitor. This makes it attractive for applications in harsh environments.

Digital compensation of signal offset, sensitivity, temperature and non-linearity is accomplished via an internal correction algorithm with coefficients stored on-chip in a highly reliable, nonvolatile, multiple-time programmable memory. Programming is simple via the ZSSC3218's serial interface with the PC-controlled calibration software provided in ZMDI's Development Kit. The measured and corrected bridge values are provided at the digital output pins as I2C™ (trademark of NXP) or SPI. The ZSSC3218 can also provide a corrected temperature output measured with an internal sensor.

With an almost noise-free 18-bit output signal, the ZSSC3218 allows designs for high-precision measurement systems, including barometric altitude measurement for portable navigation or emergency call systems, altitude measurement for car navigation, pressure measurements inside hard disks and weather forecasting equipment. The device can also adopt thermopile sensors to enable contactless temperature measurements of objects or human body temperature. Mobile products, such as phones or tablet computers, can greatly benefit from the ZSSC3218's precision.

"Energy-efficiency is what we do best. We designed the ZSSC3218 to provide our customers with the miniaturized form factor required for their next generation products," said Michael Georgi, Product Marketing Manager at ZMDI. "The ZSSC3218 is designed for use with resistive pressure sensors as well as absolute voltage sensors such as thermopiles. Stacked die assembly together with a dedicated MEMS sensor element provide the lowest form factor for MEMS-based sensors in the market. A new application is contactless temperature measurement based on thermopile sensors in mobile devices."

Features of the ZSSC3218:

  • Quadratic form factor, optimized for stacked die assembly
  • Wide operating temperature range:-40°C to 85°C
  • Accuracy better than ±0.10% full-scale output
  • Broad power supply range: 1.68 to 3.6 V
  • Low overall current consumption: 1mA typical
  • Sleep mode current: 20nA typical
  • Noise-free 18-bit output signal
  • Internal temperature measurement and signal processing
  • Fully-corrected digital output signal simplifying the system design
  • Power supply rejection ratio of up to 90dB at 2V

Availability and Pricing
The ZSSC3218 is in full production and is available as die for wafer bonding. Die, samples and wafers are available from ZMDI.

For 50,000 pieces, the ZSSC3218 is priced at EUR 0.89 per unit or USD 1.20 per unit.

About ZMDI
Zentrum Mikroelektronik Dresden AG (ZMDI) is a global supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors solutions for automotive, industrial, medical, mobile sensing, information technology and consumer applications. These solutions enable our customers to create the most energy-efficient products in multi-market and mobile sensing, power management and battery management.

For over 50 years, ZMDI has been globally headquartered in Dresden, Germany. ZMDI serves its customers with sales offices and design centers throughout Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan and the United States.

See more at www.zmdi.com.

The URL for this news release is http://www.zmdi.com/news/press-releases-news/

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