Microchip's energy-measurement analog front end has two 24-bit ADCs with industry's best accuracy; low power and high-speed modes

Four different power modes offer the flexibility of enabling either extremely low-power designs, to 0.8 mA per channel, or designs for higher-speed signals and harmonic content. The extended temperature range allows operation from -40°C to +125°C.

The MCP3911 also features 2.7 to 3.6V analog and digital operation, which simplifies the interface by running off the same power rail as the microcontroller. An internal, low-temperature-coefficient voltage reference, along with PGAs on each channel, further enables metering and monitoring designs.

As the global energy-metering infrastructure is being upgraded and the power-monitoring market is growing, designers of energy-measurement and other signal-acquisition applications are looking for ways to increase performance while lowering costs. Microchip is meeting these needs with the industry's most accurate AFEs, which reduce power consumption with their low-power modes and reduce costs by decreasing the number of required power rails and external components.

With this expansion of our industry-leading line of energy-measurement analog front ends, Microchip is enabling the rapidly growing global adoption of high-performance smart meters, said Bryan J. Liddiard, marketing vice president of Microchip's Analog and Interface Products Division. The combination of the world's best accuracy with our extensive PIC® microcontroller portfolio provides designers with the tools they need to create the best-performing energy meters and power monitors at the lowest cost.

Development Support
Microchip also announced a tool that enables development with these new AFEs. The MCP3911 Evaluation Board for 16-bit MCUs (part # ADM00398, $79.99) is available today, via microchipDIRECT.

Availability
The MCP3911 is available today for samples and volume production, in 20-pin SSOP and QFN packages. For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorised worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site at http://www.microchip.com/get/XA2A. To purchase products mentioned in this press release, go to microchipDIRECT or contact one of Microchip's authorised distribution partners.