Microchip Technology Inc. (Microchip), a global leader in microcontrollers and analog semiconductors, has launched ICs for extreme high and low temperature environments, innovatively solving various design challenges.

Microchip announced on the 26th that it has launched the 'MCP9604', a four-channel integrated thermocouple conditioning IC with a system accuracy of ±1.5°C.

This product can dramatically reduce the cost and complexity of a wide range of inline production applications, including chemical and food processing, manufacturing process control, medical, HVAC, refrigeration, and cryogenics, operating in extreme high and low temperature environments.

The MCP9604 is the industry's first 4-channel thermocouple measurement solution implemented on a single chip based on an I2C interface. It replaces existing discrete component and multi-chip thermocouple conditioning systems, eliminating up to 15 external components, simplifying design and reducing BOM costs.

“Thermocouples have been a key tool for high-temperature measurement for more than 200 years, but today’s production lines demand greater integration and precision,” said Keith Pazul, vice president of Microchip’s Mixed-Signal Linear Business Unit. “The MCP9604 meets these needs and innovatively solves a variety of design challenges.”

This product achieves 9th-order accuracy based on K-type thermocouples by applying the higher-order NIST ITS-90 equations rather than a simple first-order linear approximation. All components required for temperature measurement, including the ADC, cold junction compensation sensor, amplifier, and math engine, are integrated on a single chip, enabling data to be transmitted directly to the host system without additional calibration.

The MCP9604 supports eight major thermocouple types, including Type K and Type J, and can handle a wide temperature range from -200°C to +1372°C. I2C communication also allows for easy integration with microcontrollers and digital systems.

The MCP9604, an evolution of existing single-channel products, is supported by Microchip's EV19L27A evaluation board. This board connects up to four thermocouples, collects data, and the built-in microcontroller visualizes the measurements in a graph. The associated software is available for free download from the MCP9604 or EVB webpage.

The MCP9604 is available in tape-in-reel (MCP9604T-E/3YW) or rail (MCP9604-E/3YW) formats and is priced at $10.56 in 10,000-piece quantities. It is housed in a 24-pin 5x5 LGA package, and the EV19L27A evaluation board is available for $96.00 each.