AMI Semiconductor Announces Availability of AMIS-70050 Targeting Automotive and Industrial Applications
POCATELLO, Idaho--Oct. 1, 20049, 2004--| High side octal driver IC with SPI interface and integrated protection simplifies power management and actuator control designs |
AMI Semiconductor , a designer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art structured digital and integrated mixed-signal products, today announced the launch of the AMIS-70050, a high side driver IC that will drive virtually any load in microcontroller-based automotive and industrial control applications.
The AMIS-70050 octal high side driver IC significantly reduces the need for other power management components by providing a medium-current single-chip solution to the interface between a 3.3V or 5.0V host microcontroller and virtually any physical load including transistors, relays, solenoids, and LEDs.
"This device solves many issues the automotive and industrial designers have been facing with the existing generation of products," stated Bob Klosterboer, senior vice president for integrated mixed-signal products at AMI Semiconductor. "The AMIS-70050 combines a much better microcontroller interface, significantly higher current handling capabilities than many existing driver ICs, and a very robust design that is dedicated to harsh automotive and industrial environments. Thanks to the levels of integrated functionality and protection, we anticipate high levels of interest in this part from the foremost and most demanding automotive and industrial customers."
AMI Semiconductor's new IC integrates a three-wire serial peripheral interface (SPI), eight high side driver switches with fly-back diodes and comprehensive protection and diagnostic functionality into a single 28-pin thermally enhanced SOIC package. As a result, the AMIS-70050 is ideal for automotive load management and dashboard applications and a number of other automotive and industrial designs where actuator control, LED indication, and relay and solenoid operation are controlled by a microcontroller.
The AMIS-70050 is fully compatible with both 3.3V and 5.0V microcontrollers. The SPI interface, rather than the standard parallel interface used in most other manufacturers' parts, allows more comprehensive control and diagnostic information to be passed between the microcontroller and the AMIS-70050.
An integrated charge pump drives the gate voltage for the integrated high side driver transistors so that a low Rds-on is guaranteed. Consequently thermal runaway is avoided, even at low battery voltage. Each of the high side driver switches have integrated fly-back diodes and can deliver up to 415mA of continuous current (with all drivers active). As a result, the AMIS-70050 can drive all common types of loads such as relays, solenoids and LEDs without any additional driver circuitry. The IC can also be used to drive pulse width modulation (PWM) signals for motor control applications.
The design of the AMIS-70050 is very robust making the device ideal for harsh automotive and industrial environments. Use of AMI Semiconductor's proven I2T100 high voltage technology ensures excellent protection against erroneous situations including short circuit conditions and ground loss. Furthermore, the device features a built-in diagnostic circuit that continuously monitors the states of the driver outputs. Finally, a thermal shutdown function prevents circuit damage in the event of excessive drive currents and excessive ambient temperatures.
In addition to the standard part, AMIS can also design and manufacture custom parts based on the AMIS-70050 technology. The AMIS-70050 is priced at $1.99 per device for quantities in excess of 5000 pieces.
About AMI Semiconductor
AMI Semiconductor (AMIS) is a leader in the design and manufacture of silicon solutions for the real world. As a widely recognized innovator in state-of-the-art integrated mixed-signal products, mixed-signal foundry services and structured digital products, AMIS is committed to providing customers with the optimal value, quickest time-to-market semiconductor solutions. Offering unparalleled manufacturing flexibility and dedication to customer service, AMI Semiconductor operates globally with headquarters in Pocatello, Idaho, European corporate offices in Oudenaarde, Belgium, and a network of sales and design centers located in the key markets of the United States, Europe and the Asia Pacific region.