Press Release

High-Side Current-Sense Amplifiers Provide Wide Common-Mode Range for Automotive Applications

	Wide common-mode range CSAs protect against beyond-the-rails voltages. [High-resolution images: ]

Maxim's new automotive CSAs offer a -20V to +75V input common-mode range to protect against beyond-the-rails voltages due to inductive kickback, reverse-battery conditions, and other transient events.

SUNNYVALE, CA—April 7, 2010—Maxim Integrated Products (NASDAQ: MXIM) introduces the MAX9918/MAX9919/MAX9920, the newest members of its industry-leading portfolio of high-side current-sense amplifiers (CSAs). Designed for automotive applications, these CSAs have a wide input common-mode range (-20V to +75V) to protect against beyond-the-rails voltages. These robust devices are well suited for monitoring inductive loads, such as motors and solenoids, where common-mode voltages can become negative due to inductive kickback, reverse-battery conditions, or transient events.

The MAX9918/MAX9919 feature a ±400µV (max) input-offset voltage for precision monitoring, and the MAX9920 provides ±900µV (max). The MAX9918/MAX9920 feature adjustable gain that is set by an external resistive-divider network, while the MAX9919 offers fixed gains of 45V/V or 90V/V. All three devices operate as unidirectional amplifiers when V_REFIN = GND, and as bidirectional amplifiers when V_REFIN = V_CC/2.

The MAX9918/MAX9919/MAX9920 are fully specified over the -40°C to +125°C automotive temperature range and are available in an 8-pin SO package. Prices start at $0.85 (1000-up, FOB USA).

Maxim Integrated Products is a publicly traded company that designs, manufactures, and sells high-performance semiconductor products. The Company was founded over 25 years ago with the mission to deliver innovative analog and mixed-signal engineering solutions that add value to its customers' products. To date, it has developed over 6300 products serving the industrial, communications, consumer, and computing markets.

Maxim reported revenue in excess of $1.6 billion for fiscal 2009. A Fortune 1000 company, Maxim is included in the Nasdaq 100, the Russell 1000, and the MSCI USA indices. For more information, go to www.maxim-ic.com.