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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