March 30, 2015, Seoul, South Korea – Maxim Integrated (www.maximintegrated.com), a global leader in the highly integrated analog semiconductor market, announced the release of MAXREFDES42#, a reference design for IO-Link® RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector) temperature sensors for industrial process control and automation. RTDs are widely used for industrial process control and automation, and MAXREFDES42# offers higher accuracy and flexibility than other discrete semiconductors, leading to reduced power consumption, lower costs, and improved space utilization.

The highly integrated Analog Front End (AFE) of the IO-Link® RTD temperature sensor measures accurate temperature while simultaneously detecting overvoltage, short circuits, and open circuits. The MAXREFDES42# provides accuracy of +/-0.5°C or better and consumes less than 300mW of power using an industrial DC-DC step-down converter. It delivers top performance with a convenient industrial-standard form factor and unique support for three IO-Link speeds.

Furthermore, utilizing the integrated MAX31865 RTD-to-digital converter, it quickly and conveniently transmits temperature values to the LED display in snapshot form. The MAXREFDES42# supports 2-wire, 3-wire, or 4-wire PT100 type resistance thermometers over a wide temperature range of -40°C to 150°C. It is suitable for industrial applications such as air, gas, and liquid temperature measurement.

Configuration software for Smart IO-Link® RTD temperature sensors was co-developed with IQ2 Development. IQ2 Development's 'IO-Link Device Stack' is software that enables rapid installation, diagnosis, monitoring, and maintenance, and MAXREFDES42# utilizes it for communication with all master devices compatible with version 1.1. It reduces operating costs and increases uptime by transmitting information from remote sensors to a central control unit using a computer without visiting the installation site.

“Maxim Integrated’s RTD-to-digital converters and IO-Link® RTD temperature sensors are specialized smart temperature sensors that deliver various real-world design benefits,” said Hyun-Sik Kim, President of Maxim Integrated. “Our highly integrated RTD-to-digital converters and IO-Link transceivers enable designs with various advantages, along with clear applications in industrial spaces.”