Special-function ICs

Special-function ICs, as the name implies, are ICs that serve a special function. So under this category, parts such as tuner ICs, speech recorder IC, or even sensing ICs would fall under this category. So for this weekly feature, my column is dedicated to sensor ICs. And from what I have been reading there are a lot out there that suit consumer applications.

STMicroelectronics announced a silicon pressure sensor that uses an innovative MEMS technology to provide extremely high-resolution measurements of pressure (and therefore altitude) for use in smartphones and other portables, as well as in weather stations and automotive and industrial applications. As an example, this sensor will enable, smartphones to pinpoint their height variation from 750 m below ground to the top of Mount Everest relative to sea level to better than 1 m. This is a cool device since traditional smartphones with GPS usually locate a device in two dimensions. This device identifies the location in three dimensions.

This part, the LPS001WP, has an operating pressure range of 300 to 1,100 mbar, corresponding to the atmospheric pressures between 750 and 9,000 m relative to sea level, and can detect pressure changes as small as 0.065 mbar, corresponding to 80 cm of altitude. It is priced at only $2.80 each per 1,000.

The MLX91206 sensor IC from Melexis opens new opportunities for contactless current sensing in renewable energy applications, hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles. The device is a customer-programmable monolithic sensor IC featuring the Triaxis Hall technology. It enables the user to construct small, economical current sensor solutions with fast response times. The chip directly monitors the current flowing in an external conductor such as a bus bar or PCB track. Click on http://www2.electronicproducts.com/Current_sensor_features_Triaxis_Hall_technology-article-hlcn01_jan2011-html.aspx