Accurate measurements possible with a 2-channel device with 16-bit resolution


Power management and reduction are crucial for low-voltage, high-power applications such as Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), and embedded computing devices. Power management requires accurate power measurement. However, implementing high-precision power measurement solutions is costly and often requires multiple integrated circuits (ICs) or power configurations to measure multiple rails.

Microchip Technology Inc. announced the availability of new two-channel and three-channel power monitoring devices capable of measuring voltages from 0 V to 32 V on a single chip. These devices provide designers with an easy-to-use solution for improving power measurement accuracy. Furthermore, the two-channel devices offer 16-bit resolution, enabling a wide range of measurements.

Typically, measuring voltage rails ranging from 1 V to 20 V requires separate components to efficiently measure each rail. However, using the PAC1932/33 devices can reduce system design costs. The PAC1932/33 devices combine the functions required for power measurement into a single IC, integrating multiple channels into a single package for applications such as point-of-sale (POS) systems, ATMs, and building automation. Additionally, these products can measure voltage rails from less than 1 V up to 32 V, eliminating the need for developers to reconfigure measurement resolution between low- and high-current loads.

The PAC1932 is a two-channel device capable of 16-bit power measurement. It can measure for 17 minutes without host intervention, eliminating the need to adjust voltage or current ranges for power and energy measurements. Furthermore, its inclusion of a 16-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) enables simultaneous voltage and current measurement, enabling highly accurate power measurements. This simplifies the design of systems that efficiently conserve power.

“As designers continue to look for ways to reduce application power consumption, precision DC power measurement has emerged as a key element for energy savings,” said Bryan Liddiard, vice president of Microchip’s Mixed-Signal and Linear Division. “Just as our four-channel PAC1934 improved power measurement for Windows 10 devices, these new two- and three-channel power monitoring ICs enable superior power measurement in low-voltage, high-power applications such as embedded computing and networking.”