Sensor interface IC offers high accuracy for resistive bridge pressure sensors

Allegro MicroSystems has released the A17700, an automotive-grade interface IC for resistive bridge pressure sensors providing top-of-the-line signal conditioning algorithms. The IC achieves premium performance and improved system efficiency with flexible interface options – all in a small form factor.

The device is configurable for resistive bridge pressure sensors in a broad range of crucial applications in today’s efficiently designed cars, from high-pressure systems like dynamic brake systems in turbo and HEV or GDI to medium and low-pressure systems such as brake boosters, HVAC applications for electrified vehicles, and automatic transmission oil management.

With its best-in-class integrated polynomial algorithm, the interface sensor provides high accuracy across pressure and temperature through two-stage processing of a pressure signal. This flexible compensation produces high accuracy in resistive membranes needing either high or low-point characterisation throughout assembly.

“The A17700 allows system designers to easily select the optimal algorithm and I/O options that best fit their system requirements, balancing accuracy and end-of-line test times, thereby optimising the system cost,” explains Haeyoung Choi, product manager for Sensor Interface ICs at Allegro. “With its small footprint and flexible compensation, the A17700 is the ideal solution for applications where space and efficiency matter, like in today’s electric and hybrid electric vehicles.”

“This fast device response time enables faster output sampling that allows undesired membrane oscillations to be filtered by the system,” adds Choi. “This enhanced ability to report the oscillations will confirm that the appropriate filtering is applied and offer customers trusted reliability and performance.”

The device is offered in a small form-factor 24-pin 4mm x 4mm QFN package with wettable flanks - excellent for providing reliable soldering and visual inspection of solder joints.