Create small, low power, and highly accurate designs for industrial automation applications with the MAX12900 ultra-low power, highly integrated 4-20mA sensor transmitter from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. . Ideal applications include industrial automation and process control, loop-powered 4-20mA current transmitters, remote instrumentation, and smart sensors.

Nowadays, system designers must develop enhanced 4-20mA sensor transmitters with several considerations in mind. These include improved measurement accuracy over a wide temperature range and reduced size to fit in a small enclosure. In addition, they are required to meet a tight current budget of their overall sensor transmitter system of 4mA maximum.

The MAX12900 increases system accuracy with 10 ppm/°C voltage reference for up to 3.5x lower drift compared to traditional solutions. The small footprint (5mm x 5mm package size) of the MAX12900 integrates 10 optimized building blocks that results in significant space savings of 20%-50% vs. traditional 4-20mA sensor transmitter implementations. The addition of an integrated high voltage LDO and power sequencing capability simplifies the power up of the 4-20mA sensor transmitter. Its reduced current consumption for low power requires just 250uA of current maximum, enabling up to 50% power savings compared to traditional solutions. The new MAX12900 solution reduces implementation complexity, generating system cost savings by converting pulse width modulation data from a microcontroller into current over a 4-20mA loop with two, three, or four wire configurations. The MAX12900 is available in a 32-pin TQFN package and operates over a wide industrial temperature range of -40°C to +125°C.

Key Advantages

• Small size: 20-50% smaller solution size than traditional solutions; 5x5mm package size
• High accuracy: 10 ppm/°C voltage reference for up to 3.5x lower drift compared to traditional solutions; 0.01% maximum linearity
• Low power: Current consumption reduced by up to 50% compared to traditional solutions; 250uA current maximum

 Availability and Pricing

• The MAX12900 is available at Maxim’s website and select authorized distributors for $2.89 (1000-up, FOB USA)
• The MAX12900EVKIT# evaluation kit is available for $55

Details about MAX12900:  http://www.maximintegrated.com/MAX12900