MAX12900 provides up to 50% power and space savings

Maxim Integrated Korea has launched the 'MAX12900', an ultra-low power, highly integrated 4-20mA sensor transmitter. System designers can utilize it to design high-precision, low-power, compact industrial automation products.

The MAX12900 is a suitable solution for industrial automation and process control, loop-powered 4-20mA current transmitters, telemetry equipment, and smart sensors. To develop advanced 4-20mA sensor transmitters, system designers must increase measurement precision over a wide temperature range and reduce size to fit into compact enclosures. The sensor output must meet the stringent current design requirements of the entire sensor transmitter system, with a maximum output of 4mA.

The MAX12900 enhances system precision with a voltage reference temperature drift of up to 10 ppm/°C, which is up to 3.5 times lower than existing solutions, and linearity of up to 0.01%. Ten blocks are integrated into a small footprint in a 5 mm x 5 mm package, reducing space by 20 to 50 percent compared to existing 4-20 mA sensor transmitters. The addition of a built-in high-voltage Low Dropout Regulator (LDO) and power sequencing capabilities simplifies power supply for 4-20 mA sensor transmitters. By reducing current consumption, the maximum required current is only 250uA, providing up to 50% power savings compared to existing solutions.

The MAX12900 solution simplifies system implementation and reduces costs by converting pulse width modulation data from a microcontroller into 4-20mA current in 2-wire, 3-wire, and 4-wire configurations. This solution is available in a 32-pin TQFN package and operates over a temperature range of -40°C to +125°C.

Jürgen Schmollinger, Head of the Electronic Development Pressure Sensor Division at IFM, stated, “The Maxim MAX12900 offers high design flexibility as it can be used in 2-wire and 3-wire configurations. It also has high precision, making it suitable for use in mid-range and high-end 4-20mA transmitters.”

Carmelo Morello, Senior Business Manager at Maxim Integrated, said, “The MAX12900, with its integration, flexibility, low power, and high precision, is an ideal solution for low-power sensor transmitters and industrial safety applications.”