Digital Thermal Sensors Function Without External Components

Featuring a serial peripheral interface, the TC77 and TC72 high-accuracy digital thermal sensors target a wide range of wireless, networking, handheld, and computing applications. The high-resolution devices can read temperature without the need for external components. The TC77 and TC72 communicate thermal data via a three- and four-wire industry-standard interface, respectively. Both sensors consume a low operating current of 250 µA typical. An ultra-low shutdown mode (1 µA typical) further extends battery life in portable applications. The TC72 operates from 2.65 to 5.5 V. Temperature resolution is 0.25°C per bit, and temperature accuracy is 2°C maximum over the entire −40°C to 85°C temperature range. The TC77 has a high resolution of 0.0625°C per bit, an extended temperature range of−55°C to 125°C, and an operating-voltage range of 2.7 to 5.5 V. The TC72 is offered in an eight-pin DFN or MSOP package, while the TC77 comes in a five-pin SOT-23 or eight-pin SOIC package. Pricing starts at $0.79 each in 1000-unit quantities.