AFE connects multiple sensors to MCUs or FPGAs

6th July 2015

Jordan Mulcare

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Datasheet

A highly integrated sensor interface AFE that provides calibration of sensor outputs has been introduced by Exar. The XR10910 offers an onboard 16:1 differential multiplexer, offset correction DAC, programmable gain instrumentation amplifier and voltage reference. This AFE provides 14-bit signal path linearity and is designed to connect multiple bridge sensors to an MCU or FPGA with an embedded ADC.

The integrated, DAC provides offset calibration for any offset voltage generated by bridge sensors, improving overall system sensitivity and accuracy. An independent offset value can be set for each of the 16 differential inputs. The XR10910 allows the customer to select from eight fixed-gain settings (from 2 to 760V/V) to ensure the amplified sensor signal falls within the optimum input range of the downstream ADC.

The integrated LDO provides a regulated voltage to power the sensors and is selectable between 2.65 and 3V for lower voltage compatibility. An I²C serial interface provides an easy way to control the XR10910’s many functions. The XR10910 operates from 2.7 to 5V supplies and offers a wide digital supply range of 1.8 to 5V. It typically consumes 457µA of supply current and offers a sleep mode which reduces the supply current to only 45µA.

“The XR10910 provides designers with an easy-to-use sensor interface that integrates high channel count and functionality in a tiny footprint that is lower power than competing solutions,” said Dale Wedel, Vice President, Exar. “Its unique feature set complements modern low cost MCUs in a variety of applications such as force sensing, rebel droids and power monitoring for solar energy and data centres.”