Integrated current sensor ICs in an extremely small footprint

Allegro MicroSystems Europe has released a new family of fully integrated current sensor linear ICs in a new core-less package designed to sense AC and DC currents up to 100A. The company’s ACS780/ACS781 are provided in a new automotive-grade, low-profile (1.5mm thick) sensor IC package that represents the highest current density of any of their current sensor IC packages to date. The new package has a very small footprint and delivers extremely high power density for your current sensing applications. The Hall sensor technology also incorporates common-mode field rejection to optimise performance in the presence of interfering magnetic fields generated by nearby current-carrying conductors. The devices consist of a precision, low-offset linear Hall circuit with a copper conduction path located near the die. Applied current flowing through this copper conduction path generates a magnetic field which the Hall IC converts into a proportional voltage. Device accuracy is optimised through the close proximity of the primary conductor to the Hall transducer and factory programming of the sensitivity and zero-ampere output voltage at the Allegro factory. Chopper-stabilised signal path and digital temperature compensation technology also contribute to the stability of the devices across the operating temperature range. High-level immunity to current conductor dV/dt and stray electric fields is offered by their proprietary integrated shield technology, for low-output voltage ripple and low-offset drift in high-side, high-voltage applications. The output of the device has a positive slope (>VCC / 2) when an increasing current flows through the primary copper conduction path (from terminal 8 to terminal 9), which is the path used for current sampling. The internal resistance of this conductive path is typically 200µohm, providing low power loss. The thickness of the copper conductor allows survival of the devices at high overcurrent conditions. The terminals of the conductive path are electrically isolated from the signal leads (pins 1 through 7 and 10), allowing the device to operate safely with voltages up to 100V peak on the primary conductor. These sensor ICs are ideally suited for automotive, industrial and computer applications. Automotive applications include EPS and DC-DC converters and oil and HVAC pumps that require higher currents. Industrial applications include low side sensing in VFD and other motor control systems. Other applications include computer servers power supply output current sensing as well as telecom inverters. The devices are fully calibrated prior to shipment from the factory. The family is lead (Pb) free. All leads are plated with 100% matt tin and there is no Pb inside the package. The heavy gauge leadframe is made of oxygen-free copper.