New op-amp improves power savings in consumer and industrial equipment

ROHM has developed a linear operational amplifier (op-amp) – LMR1901YG-M – featuring the lowest current consumption in the industry. This makes it ideal for amplifying sensor signals to detect and measure temperature, flow rate, gas concentration, and other parameters in applications powered by internal sources (i.e. batteries).

In recent years, advanced control has increased demand for various consumer and industrial electronics applications. Therefore, there is an increasing need for accurate sensing of parameters relevant to the application - such as temperature, humidity, vibration, pressure, and flow rate. Op-amps, whose main function is amplifying sensor signals for subsequent detection and/or analogue-to-digital conversion, are a crucial component in the signal chain - greatly affecting accuracy and power consumption. The company is developing op-amps that satisfy the dual need for high accuracy and low current consumption by further refining the circuit design based on original Nano Energy technology. The company can now offer an op-amp that delivers the lowest current consumption on the market.

The device uses original ultra-low power technology that thoroughly suppresses current increases caused by temperature and voltage changes to reduce current consumption to just 160nA (Typ.) – approximately 38% lower than general low-power op-amps. This extends the life of applications powered by internal batteries, like electronic shelf labels, and contributes to longer operating times for smartphones and other devices equipped with rechargeable batteries. At the same time, this low current consumption does not change over the temperature range of -40C to +105C – allowing stable low-power operation, even in environments where external temperatures fluctuate, including fire alarms and environmental sensors.

Other performance enhancements include a 45% reduction of input offset voltage to just 0.55mV (Max. Ta=25C) over general low-current op amps, while a maximum input offset voltage temperature drift of 7V/C is guaranteed. This allows high-accuracy amplification of sensor signals. The device can operate from 1.7V to 5.5V supply voltage and offers rail-to-rail input/output, so it is ideal for various industrial equipment and consumer market applications. Its new op-amp also complies with the automotive reliability standard AEC-Q100 – ensuring stable operation even under harsh conditions, such as vehicle cabins, without compromising functionality.

In addition to various technical documents necessary for circuit design and SPICE models for simulation (available free of charge on the company's website), the device can be used with the ROHM Solution Simulator to speed up time to market.

Application examples – consumer applications: smartphones, smartwatches, wearables, fire alarms, motion sensors, etc. Industrial equipment: electronic shelf labels, handheld measurement instruments, data loggers, environmental sensors for IoT, etc. Automotive systems: anti-theft sensors, drive recorders, etc.