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Microchip announced its next-generation Analogue Front End (AFE) for metering applications. The MCP3901 AFE features high-accuracy, dual 16-/24-bit Delta-Sigma Analogue-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) with up to 91 dB Signal to Noise and Distortion (SINAD); internal Programmable Gain Amplifiers (PGAs) and voltage reference; phase-delay compensation; and a modulator output block, enabling more precise measurements than competitive solutions. With its unique feature set, high-speed sample rates up to 64 kilosamples per second (ksps) and SPI interface, the MCP3901 AFE is ideal for a variety of single- and multi-phase metering, industrial and medical applications.

Integrated PGAs and a low-drift voltage reference enhance the MCP3901 AFE’s ability to measure signals at very small levels, and reduce the number of external components needed. This enables smaller overall designs at lower costs. The phase-delay compensation block enables the MCP3901 AFE to compensate for differences in phase for three-phase energy-metering applications, while the SPI interface provides a simple connection to a microcontroller (MCU) and offers engineers more flexibility with their design. Additionally, through the SPI interface, designers can adjust the ADC over sampling ratio to control the resolution and sample rate as dictated by the needs of the application.

• Two simultaneously sampled 16/24-bit resolution delta-sigma A/D converters
• 91 dB SINAD, -104 dBc THD, 109 dB SFDR
• Programmable data rate up to 64 ksps
• Internal voltage reference with low drift of 12 ppm/°C
• Internal PGAs on each channel with gain of 32 V/V
• Phase delay compensation between channels with 1 µs resolution
• Low power consumption (14 mW at 5 V)

• Energy metering & power measurement
• Automotive
• Portable instrumentation
• Medical and power monitoring