IC Performs 3D Electrical Field Imaging

Capable of replacing more than 70 components, the MC33794 debuts as the industry's first IC that generates and detects a low-level electric field and powers and supports a microcontroller (MCU). In addition to MCU support, the device supports two reference capacitors and up to nine simple electrodes that can be used independently to provide information on the size or location of an object in a weak electric field. The IC includes a tunable sine wave generator optimized for 120 kHz, shield driver, and a lamp driver. MCU support includes watchdog and power-on-reset timers, a voltage regulator, and an ISO 9141 physical layer communication interface. An evaluation module, called KIT33794DHEVM, includes a pre-programmed MCU and software for out-of-the-box measurements. The kit contains the MC33794, an 8-bit 68HC908GR8 MCU, supporting components, and an RS-232 communications port. The MC33794 IC is available in a 44-lead HSOP and is priced at $3.09 each/10K. The KIT33794DHEVM evaluation module costs $70. MOTOROLA INC., Austin, TX. (512) 895-2631.