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To: American Spirit who wrote (51898)	6/1/2001 12:34:19 PM
From: puborectalis	Respond to of 57584

Texas Instruments' High-Performance 4-20mA Transmitter Targets Temperature And Bridge Sensors'Smart' Programmable Device Reduces Manufacturing Costs By Offering Digitally-Controlled Adjustments TUCSON, Ariz., Jun 1, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Texas Instruments Incorporated (NYSE: TXN) (TI) today announced a "smart" programmable 4-20mA current-loop transmitter from the company's Burr-Brown product line designed for temperature and bridge sensor applications, as well as remote data acquisition, weighing systems, and industrial process control. See ti.com. The high-performance XTR108 allows for digital calibration of sensor and transmitter errors via a standard digital serial interface, eliminating expensive potentiometers or circuit value changes. Calibration settings can be stored in an inexpensive external EEPROM for easy retrieval during routine operation. Digitally-controlled adjustments dramatically reduce manufacturing costs and allow companies to build a single sensor design to serve a wide range of needs. Individual units can be stocked and later programmed and reprogrammed for any of hundreds of possible end-customer specifications (special temperature ranges, etc.). Sensors can also be reprogrammed in the field, if necessary. "By allowing the user to digitally adjust the gain, offset and linearity of the analog output, the XTR108 eliminates the need for manual trimming of potentiometers and the costs associated with this process," said John Brown, strategic marketing engineer for TI's High-Performance Linear products. "Furthermore, among the very few similar ICs on the market, the XTR108 provides more versatile multi-channel input and excitation multiplexing." The XTR108's wide programmable gain amplifier (PGA) range allows full- scale inputs from 5 to 320mV. The all-analog signal path contains a built-in sub-regulator, voltage reference, input multiplexer, autozeroed PGA, dual programmable current-sources, linearization circuit, internal oscillator, control logic, and an output current amplifier. Current sources directed through the multiplexer can be used to excite RTD temperature sensors, pressure bridges, or other types of transducers. The XTR108's uncommitted op amp can be used to convert current into a voltage, or for four-wire RTD circuits. Functionally, a 4-20mA transmitter provides accurate transmission of analog signals from sensors (used to monitor physical parameters in industrial processes such as temperature and pressure) to remotely located measurement equipment. The sensor signal is amplified, linearized, and transmitted in the form of current with no power supply required at the transmitter site. 4-20mA current loops are not affected by line resistance and are much more immune to electrical interference. Available Today The XTR108 is available now and is packaged in an SSOP-24. Suggested resale pricing is $3.45 in 1,000 piece quantities. The device is specified for -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius temperature range. Texas Instruments Incorporated is the world leader in digital signal processing and analog technologies, the semiconductor engines of the Internet age. The company's businesses also include sensors and controls, and educational and productivity solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing or sales operations in more than 25 countries.