Operational amplifiers extend battery life

Microchip Technology Inc. announces the MCP6401/2/4 Operational Amplifiers (Op Amps), which add to the company's general-purpose op amp portfolio by providing lower power consumption in small packages. Featuring quiescent current of just 45 microamperes with a Gain Bandwidth Product (GBWP) of 1 MHz, the MCP6401/2/4 op amps complement the company's eXtreme Low Power PIC microcontrollers (MCUs), helping to extend battery life in a variety of consumer (e.g., music players, appliances, and gaming consoles); industrial (e.g., barcode scanners and gas meters); automotive (e.g., signal conditioning for proximity and tire-pressure-measurement sensors); and medical applications (e.g., glucometers and portable patient-monitoring devices), among others.

Additional features include a maximum offset voltage of +/-4.5 mV and a supply-voltage range of 1.8 to 6 V over the extended temperature range of -40º to 125º C. The op amps are unity gain stable and feature Rail-to-Rail Input and Output operation, for better performance across the entire voltage range.

PCB footprints and schematic symbols are expected to be available in September 2010 from the company's web site.

For more information, visit Microchip Technology Inc., 2355 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85224. Phone: (480) 792-7200.