Nano-Power System Timers Slash Power Consumption

Two programmable system timers from TI, the TPL5000 (with watchdog timer) and TPL5100 (with MOS driver) draw only 30 nA of current. These nano-power timers replace a microcontroller’s internal timer, allowing the MCU to remain in low-power sleep mode. Drawing much lower current than an MCU timer, the nano timers address a range of battery-powered and energy harvesting systems. With the main system in sleep- or power-down mode most of the time, power consumption of the MCU internal timer becomes significant. The TPL5000’s selectable timing delay can be set from one to 64 seconds to further extend battery life in applications such as smoke, CO and occupancy detectors, intelligent price tags, security cameras and door locks. Also, it can be programmed for 16- to 1,024-second intervals in energy harvesters, wireless sensor nodes and data loggers, where measurement data changes slowly. The TPL5000 and TPL5100 nano-power system timers are available now in 10-pin, 3 x 5 mm VSSOP packages for $0.60 each/1,000. Evaluation modules (TPL5000 and TPL5100) are also available for $20 each.

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC.