Automotive-Grade Current Sensors Eliminate Need for Isolation Components

NOVOSENSE Microelectronics unveiled a new series of automotive-grade, high-bandwidth current sensors that don’t require any external isolation components. The company’s NSM211x series is designed for applications ranging from onboard-charger/DC-DC converters, PTCs, and automotive motor control to charging-station current detection, fuel-cell systems, and more.

The NSM211x series provides −3 dB bandwidth of up to 1 MHz, along with a response time of 400 ns, providing quick loop control and overcurrent protection in control systems. The sensors also offer a creepage distance of up to 8.2 mm, an isolation voltage withstand of 5,000 V RMS (complying with UL standards), and a maximum operating isolation voltage of 1,618 V pk.

Temperature adjustment algorithms and offline calibration help increase measurement accuracy (±2% sensitivity error and ±10-mV offset error) throughout the entire temperature range. They also have a voltage range of 3.3 and 5 V, providing both DC and AC measurements in a 5- to 200-A range. All offer reference voltage output, overcurrent protection output, and adjustable overcurrent protection levels.

Three packing configurations are available: SOP8, SOW16, and SOW10. They provide impedances of 1.2 mΩ, 0.85 mΩ/1 mΩ, and 0.27 mΩ, respectively, with a continuous-current-handling capacity of up to 100 A.