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Date: 23rd Jun 2011

Analog startup Touchstone Semiconductor launches precision comparator ICs

Analog startup Touchstone Semiconductor has launched single-supply, low power analog comparators plus voltage reference integrated circuits TS9001-1 and the TS9001-2. Both products are Touchstone Semiconductor's first analog comparator products in its "NanoWatt Analog" high-performance analog integrated circuits portfolio.

Touchstone claims both the TS9001-1 and the TS9001-2 are electrical specification improvements over the MAX9117 and the MAX9118, respectively. Both TS9001s incorporate a +1.252V reference with a 1% initial accuracy, a 33% initial accuracy improvement over the MAX9117 or the MAX9118, according to Touchstone. The TS9001-1 offers push-pull output stage with increased output current drive while the TS9001-2 offers an open-drain output stage that can be used in mixed-voltage systems design. Both TS9001s are fully specified to operate from +1.6V to 5.5V supplies while consuming less than 0.65µA supply current.

The TS9001s are optimally designed for low-voltage, power-sensitive applications. These applications include: telemetry and remote systems, medical instrumentation, battery monitoring/management, as well as mobile and other hand-held communication devices.

Key specifications:
*Improved electrical performance over MAX9117-MAX9118
*Guaranteed to operate down to +1.6V
*Ultra-low supply current: 0.6µA
*Internal +1.252V ±1% reference
*Input voltage range extends 200mV outside-the-rails
*No phase reversal for overdriven inputs
*Output stage: push-pull (TS9001-1), open-drain (TS9001-2)
*Crowbar-current-free switching
*Internal hysteresis for clean switching

The TS9001-1 and the TS9001-2 are fully specified over the -40°C to +85°C industrial temperature range and are both offered in a space-saving 5-pin SC70 packages. TS9001 prices start at $0.95 each in 1000-piece quantities.

Touchstone Semiconductor has also introduced its TSM9117-TSM9120 and TSM917 family of analog comparators plus reference. These low-power, single-supply comparators are pin-compatible, specification-identical, and functionally identical to Maxim Integrated Product's MAX9117-MAX9120 and MAX917 low-power, single-supply comparators. These products are in stock and available to ship immediately.

The TSM9117 and the TSM9118 are drop-in-replacements for the MAX9117 and MAX9118. They operate from a single +1.6V supply, have an internal 1.245V ±1.5% voltage reference and only draw 750nA of supply current.

The TSM9119 and the TSM9120 are drop-in-replacements for the MAX9119 and MAX9120. They are comparator only versions of the TSM9117 and the TSM9118 and consume less than 400nA of supply current.

The TSM917 is a drop-in-replacement for the MAX917 nanopower comparator. It operates from a single +1.8V supply, incorporates an internal 1.245V ±1.5% voltage reference, and consumes no more than 750nA of supply current.

Touchstone says all products have robust input stages (applied input voltage levels outside the supply rails) and rail-to-rail outputs. The design of the rail-to-rail output stage limits supply-current surges while switching. This architecture virtually eliminates supply current glitches typical of many other comparators and maintains low overall power consumption under dynamic conditions. The TSM9117, the TSM9119 and the TSM917 have push-pull output stages that sink and source current. In contrast, the TSM9118 and the TSM9120 have an open-drain output stage that can be connected beyond their VCC supply voltage rails, making them suitable choices in mixed-voltage system designs.

The combination of nanopower operation from two cells, rail-to-rail input/output voltage ranges, and small footprint makes these devices ideal for low-voltage, power-sensitive applications in portable products. These applications include telemetry and remote systems, medical instrumentation, battery monitoring/management as well as mobile and other hand-held communication devices.

The TSM9117-TSM9120 family is available in space-saving 5-pin SC70 packages. In addition, the TSM9117 and the TSM9120 are available in 8-pin SOIC packages. The TSM917 is offered in space-saving 5-pin SOT23 and 8-pin SOIC packages. TSM917 and TSM9117 prices start at $0.95 each in 1000 piece quantities. TSM9118-TSM9120 prices start at $0.66 each in 1,000 piece quantities.

All the above chips are available from electronic component distributor Future Electronics.

Touchstone Semiconductor is formed by a group of industry experts from Maxim Integrated Products, Linear Technology and Analog Devices in 2010. Chathal Phelan chief technical officer at Cypress Semiconductor Corp. and a 25-year semiconductor industry expert, has also joined its board of directors.

Touchstone has received $12 million in Series A funding from Silicon Valley venture capital firms Opus Capital and Khosla Ventures were the primary investors.

Correction: The error sentence "Touchstone Semiconductor is formed a group of industry experts from Maxim Integrated Products, Linear Technology and Analog Devices in 2010." in the previous version of this article is now corrected as "Touchstone Semiconductor is formed by a group of industry experts from Maxim Integrated Products, Linear Technology and Analog Devices in 2010." in the above article. The error is regretted.

 
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