Data Acquisition SoC can

The SX8801R features Semtech’s ZoomingADC™ capability that combines a 16-bit analog/digital converter (ADC) with a 10-bit preamplifier to allow the device to “zoom in” or amplify a small portion of the analog signal and apply the full 16-bit ADC to that part of the signal. The award-winning ZoomingADC compensates for large offsets without saturation or resolution losses, and can be re-focused on different parts of a signal for different applications.

The SX8801R also includes a microprocessor and 22 kBytes of ROM for customer programmable processing with the output sent to either a serial link or to an LCD. The SX8801R directly reads pressure, temperature, magnetic, chemical or other Wheatstone bridge-based sensors, ranging from 5V to 2 mV. With a reference, the device can also access most voltage-generating sensors.

The low-power SX8801R is designed for battery-operated devices with an input voltage range of between 2.4V and 5.5V. The device has three pre-amplifiers and special logic-block power gating features to allow a designer to specify power consumption for the data acquisition phase in a range between 200µA and 800µA depending upon the number of pre-amps used. At 2kHz, the ADC function draws only 200µA. The microprocessor is also low power, leveraging Semtech’s CoolRISC™ processor technology with a real time clock at 2µA and a power-performance ratio of 300µA per MIPS.

“The SX8801R fills a real void in the market for data acquisition devices, offering the volume economics and integration of an ASIC but with a lot more flexibility,” said Michel Chevroulet, Sensing Product Group Manager for Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Products Business Unit. “Customers can capitalize on Semtech’s data acquisition product family by customizing the ZoomingADC™ and processing functionality for their requirements, and that they have access to a variety of pin-compatible devices for all stages of a product’s lifecycle.”

The SX8801R joins Semtech’s data acquisition product family, based on technology from the company’s June 2005 acquisition of Xemics SA. The device is pin-compatible with the Semtech XE8801AM, which has the same features but with a reprogrammable MTP memory offering the ability to change the operating software. With the ROM version being lower-cost, the SX8801R is well suited to high-volume, price-sensitive applications, whereas the XE8801AM is ideal for customizable devices, prototyping and production ramp-up.

The SX8801R is available in a 12 mm x 12 mm lead-free LQFP-44 package or as a 4.1 mm x 4.6 mm die for sports watches, wrist instruments and other small applications.