New Si890x Isolated ADCs Provide Optimized Line Voltage Monitoring
and Digital Isolation for Solar Power Inverters and Power Supplies
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Silicon
Laboratories Inc. (NASDAQ: SLAB), a leader in high-performance,
analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs, today introduced the industry's
first isolated 10-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) products
designed specifically for the demands of mains line monitoring. The new
Si890x family combines Silicon Labs' patented CMOS-based digital
isolation technology and its proven ADC technology to create a
robust line voltage monitoring and protection solution for power
management applications such as solar power inverters, switched-mode and
uninterruptible power supplies, and industrial applications with sensors
in high-voltage areas requiring isolated data acquisition.
Isolated ADCs are essential for applications where the power drawn from
the ac mains must be monitored. The most common solution for these
applications today uses a current transformer coupled with discrete
components and a data converter — a bulky approach that drives up the
size and complexity of power supplies. While standalone ADCs are
available, they require external galvanic isolators to connect to the
mains or other high-voltage systems. Other vendors offer isolated ADCs
optimized for motor control, but these devices are too costly for the
mains monitoring market.
Silicon Labs engineered the Si890x isolated ADCs to meet the needs of
the mains monitoring market in ways no other vendors have addressed. The
Si890x family provides a much smaller and thinner footprint solution
than transformer solutions. Since the Si890x devices integrate the ADC
and isolation function, they can transmit power measurements through an
isolated serial port for processing by the system controller. The Si890x
family features 2.5 and 5 kV isolation ratings that meet critical safety
requirements for high-voltage systems such as IEC 60950-1, 61010-1 and
60601-1 standards and UL, CSA and VDE certifications. The family's 5 kV
rating enables the devices to be used in demanding industrial and
medical applications and universal-powered systems with 120/220 Vac
mains supplies. Offering up to 1,200 V working voltage with an isolation
barrier lifetime of more than 60 years, these isolated ADCs will outlast
the high-voltage systems that use them.
Each ADC input features a 3-channel analog multiplexer (AMUX), which
enables a single Si890x isolated ADC to monitor up to three different
signals (typically ac mains voltage and current with the third channel
serving as a spare). All three members of the Si890x family are
supported by the Si890xPWR-KIT evaluation kit, which contains a master
controller that enables developers to quickly and easily connect to the
ac line and observe waveforms on an oscilloscope or otherwise receive
serial data.
"The Si890x devices are a natural extension to our popular Si86xx
digital isolator family, providing developers with an isolated ADC
solution that hits the price/performance sweet spot of the mains line
monitoring market," said Mark Thompson, vice president of access, power
and sensor products at Silicon Labs. "The Si890x family sets a new
standard for power management applications that need reduced cost and
complexity, robust CMTI performance and flexible interface options."
The Si890x family offers a choice of three serial interface options:
UART, I2C and SPI. This interface flexibility enables
developers to take advantage of existing communications ports for easy
integration into their system designs, and it also allows them to
connect to the isolated ADC quickly and easily without changing their
system controller. The SPI port option also provides faster data
throughput (up to 2.5 Mbps) for bandwidth-intensive applications.
Pricing and Availability
Samples and production quantities of the Si890x isolated ADCs are
available now in 16-pin SOIC wide-body packages with a choice of 2.5 or
5 kV isolation ratings. Pricing for the Si890x devices in 10,000-unit
quantities ranges begins at $1.65 (USD). Silicon Labs also offers the
Si890xPWR-KIT evaluation kit, priced at $149.00 (USD), which enables
developers to demonstrate and measure ac line voltage (110 Vac or 220
Vac at 50/60 Hz) and ac line current.
For additional information about Silicon Labs' Si890x isolated ADC
family and to purchase samples and development tools, please visit www.silabs.com/pr/isolation.
Silicon Laboratories Inc.
Silicon Laboratories is an industry leader in the innovation of
high-performance, analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs. Developed by a
world-class engineering team with unsurpassed expertise in mixed-signal
design, Silicon Labs' diverse portfolio of patented semiconductor
solutions offers customers significant advantages in performance, size
and power consumption. For more information about Silicon Labs, please
visit www.silabs.com.
Cautionary Language
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on
Silicon Laboratories' current expectations. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of important
factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in
the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of factors that could
impact Silicon Laboratories' financial results and cause actual results
to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements,
please refer to Silicon Laboratories' filings with the SEC. Silicon
Laboratories disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
Note to editors: Silicon Laboratories, Silicon Labs, the "S" symbol, the
Silicon Laboratories logo and the Silicon Labs logo are trademarks of
Silicon Laboratories Inc. All other product names noted herein may be
trademarks of their respective holders.
Follow Silicon Labs on Twitter at http://twitter.com/silabs
and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/siliconlabs.
Explore Silicon Labs' diverse product portfolio at www.silabs.com/parametric-search.
Silicon Laboratories Inc.
Dale Weisman, +1-512-532-5871
dale.weisman@silabs.com
Source: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media