San Jose, California, October 28, 2013 — Never before has time to market for industrial designs been shortened. Three new low-power reference designs from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: MXIM) simplify factory automation through the complete integration of the signal chain.

The Carmel, Monterey, and Fremont industrial reference designs are fully tested subsystems that are ready for immediate use and customization as complete products, complete with schematics, layout files, and firmware provided. Each reference design integrates various functions to provide high-accuracy solutions for automated factory operations. Each board is available for purchase and guarantees rapid prototyping, initial software development, and design speed.

Carmel
The Carmel (MAXREFDES18#) subsystem provides high-accuracy, low-noise analog output. Carmel offers programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and distribution control systems (DCS).
* High Performance: Accurate output from high voltage down to true zero
* Integrated Error Reporting: Detection of short circuits, open circuits, brownouts, and overheating conditions
* Flexibility: Provides both current and voltage outputs, including bipolar signals of -20mA to 20mA and -10V to 10V.

Monterey
The Monterey (MAXREFDES15#) subsystem is a high-accuracy industrial loop power sensor transmitter that converts a standard temperature sensor input (RTD PT1000) into a 4–20mA signal. Robust to noise and maintaining a constant output over long distances, this subsystem is ideal for distribution industrial sensor systems.
* Ultra-low power: System current consumption of less than 2.1mA (40% improvement over industry standard)
* High Accuracy: Supports 0.1% system accuracy across the entire process variable input range
* Easy Design: Includes all design files for rapid prototyping

Fremont
The Fremont (MAXREFDES6#) subsystem is a low-power analog front-end (AFE) that accepts inputs from 0mV to 100mV. This subsystem is ideal for low-voltage output sensors, process control, and medical applications.
* Low power: Typical power consumption of less than 300mW
* Reduced Time-to-Market: Rapid prototyping with all necessary design files included
* Simplification: Single-ended system eliminates the need for differential signal conversion

David Andeen, Reference Design Manager at Maxim Integrated, stated, "Analog integration accelerates factory automation," adding, "Using these reference designs allows engineers to bring products to market faster with designs that increase factory efficiency, combined with the latest analog technologies."

"The demand for reference systems and subsystems equipped with high-performance analogs is steadily growing," said Jim Beneke, Vice President of Global Technical Marketing at Avnet Electronics Marketing, a business group of global technology distributor Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT). "Maxim's innovative design, combined with systems like ZedBoard™, provides a solution that perfectly meets today's engineering challenges."