Microchip Technology has claimed the industry’s first single-chip, four-channel I2C thermocouple conditioning IC to deliver up to ±1.5°C accuracy with the introduction of the MCP9604 integrated thermocouple conditioning IC. This device targets in-line production applications such as chemical and food processing, manufacturing process control, medical equipment, and HVAC systems as well as refrigerated, cryogenic and other controlled environments, which operate in high- and low-temperature extremes.
(Source: Microchip Technology Inc.)
The MCP9604 overcomes a thermal measurement and integration barrier, providing an alternative to discrete and multichip thermocouple conditioning solutions that can introduce errors and add system design complexity, Microchip said. The new device can reduce the need for up to 15 discrete components.
The MCP9604 integrates the precision ADC, cold junction compensation temperature sensor, amplifier, and other components needed for the signal chain, temperature measurement, and math engine. In addition to reducing the bill-of-materials costs and simplifying PCB design, it also helps eliminate complex unit-by-unit in-line validation and calibration that discrete solutions require in the thermocouple measurement signal chain before reporting data to the host system, the company said.
“The thermocouple conditioning IC device delivers its advanced measurement accuracy at four thermocouple locations by using higher-order NIST ITS-90 equations rather than the single-order linear approximations of analog amplifier designs,” Microchip said.
The MCP9604 supports eight common thermocouple types including the J option and the K option for operating at temperatures as low as -200°C. It supports a wide temperature range of -200°C to 1372°C across a range of industrial applications.
The MCP9604 thermocouple conditioning IC is available in a tape-in-reel (MCP9604T-E/3YW) or rail (MCP9604-E/3YW) configuration. Each device is priced at $10.56 each in quantities of 10,000 and packaged in a 24-pin 5×5 LGA. Also available now is the EV19L27A evaluation board priced at $96 each.
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