Op Amps From ST, TI, and Rohm Vault Analog Design Challenges
The humble op-amp remains a fundamental building block in analog electronics, even as the digital world continues to expand. For applications like sensing, industrial control, and precision instrumentation, analog design plays a vital role. While op-amps themselves are not new, leading manufacturers like STMicroelectronics (ST), Texas Instruments (TI), and Rohm Semiconductor are constantly innovating to address specific needs within the analog design space. This article explores three recently released op-amps, each targeting a unique design challenge: higher power and performance, precision at low power, and minimized current consumption.
STMicroelectronics: Industrial and Automotive Muscle
STMicroelectronics takes center stage with the introduction of the TSB952 series, a family of dual op-amps designed specifically for industrial and automotive applications that demand the ability to withstand higher voltages. The TSB952 series boasts an impressive supply voltage range of 4.5 V to 36 V, offering designers ample headroom to leverage industry-standard voltage rails alongside the benefits of a faster op-amp. In terms of transient response, the TSB952 shines with a slew rate of 26 V/µs and a corresponding gain bandwidth of 52 MHz.
Beyond its high voltage tolerance, the TSB952 series prioritizes efficiency with a low supply current of only 3.3 mA per channel at 36 V. This ensures minimal power consumption even when operating at higher voltages. The TSB952 is available in two compact package options: DFN8 and SO8.
Across a broad temperature range, the TSB952 can support up to a 36-V supply voltage, allowing designers to integrate op amps with industrial voltage levels. Image used courtesy of ST
In addition to supporting higher supply voltages, the TSB952 series sports a low supply current at 3.3 mA per channel at 36 V, ensuring that power is not wasted. The TSB952 is available in DFN8 and SO8 packages.
Texas Instruments: Precision Without Compromise
Texas Instruments expands its popular OPA series with the introduction of the OPA4391 quad op-amp. This innovative offering tackles the age-old challenge of balancing power consumption, speed, and precision in operational amplifiers. Ideal for applications requiring high-fidelity measurements, the OPA4391 series achieves a remarkable balance between these crucial factors.
The OPA4391 operates within a supply voltage range of 1.7 V to 5.5 V and boasts an exceptionally low maximum voltage offset of just 45 µV. This translates to minimized steady-state errors in precision measurement applications. Furthermore, the 1 MHz gain bandwidth, 1 V/µs slew rate, and a low quiescent current draw of 23.5 µA create a compelling compromise between power efficiency and performance, making the OPA4391 well-suited for low-power applications without sacrificing accuracy.
The OPA4391 features a considerably low offset voltage, mitigating steady-state errors from precision measurements. Image used courtesy of TI
A key factor contributing to the OPA4391's exceptional precision is Texas Instruments' e-Trim technology. This innovative approach allows for the creation of an extremely low input offset voltage, a critical requirement for precision amplifiers, without introducing errors during the packaging process. The OPA4391 comes in a TSSOP package.
Rohm Semiconductor: Minimizing Power Consumption for IoT Devices
In the ever-growing realm of Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications, where sensor proliferation is a key trend, Rohm Semiconductor enters the scene with the LMR1901YG-M. This single-channel op-amp prioritizes exceptionally low current consumption, making it ideal for battery-powered and other low-power designs.
The LMR1901 shows considerable improvement in current consumption, allowing the op amp to be integrated into devices where power comes at a premium. Image used courtesy of Rohm
The LMR1901YG-M stands out with a typical current consumption of a mere 160 nA, allowing for seamless integration into devices where power efficiency is paramount. This remarkable feat is complemented by other key specifications, including a low offset voltage of 0.55 mV, minimal offset drift of 7 µV/°C, and support for a wide operating voltage range of 1.7 V to 5.5 V. With this combination of features, the LMR1901YG-M empowers designers to tackle various low-frequency amplification tasks without significantly impacting overall power consumption.
The LMR1901YG-M is available for sampling now and comes in an SSOP5 package.
Looking for a Reliable Source for Your Op-Amp Needs?
BonChip Electronics is your trusted distributor for a wide range of op-amps, including the innovative offerings highlighted in this article from STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments, and Rohm Semiconductor. We offer a comprehensive selection of electronic components, exceptional customer service, fast delivery times, and the technical expertise to assist you in selecting the most suitable op-amp for your specific design requirements. Contact BonChip Electronics today to explore how we can empower your next analog project.