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News Article

Texas Instruments invents new data converter category

Inductance-to-digital converter revolutionizes position and motion sensing
Texas Instruments (TI) has unveiled the industry's first inductance-to-digital converter (LDC), a new data converter category that uses coils and springs as inductive sensors to deliver higher resolution, increased reliability, and greater flexibility than existing sensing solutions at a lower system cost. Inductive sensing is a contactless sensing technology that can be used to measure the position, motion, or composition of a metal or conductive target, as well as detect the compression, extension or twist of a spring. For more information about this new data converter technology and the industry's first LDC, the LDC1000.

Applications for inductive sensing range from simple push buttons, knobs, and on/off switches to high-resolution heart rate monitors, turbine flow meters, and high-speed motor/gear controllers. Given their versatility, LDCs can be used in many different markets, including automotive, white goods, consumer electronics, mobile devices, computing, industrial, and medical.

"LDC technology enables engineers to create sensors using low-cost and readily available PCB traces or metal springs. LDCs provide high-resolution sensing of any metal or conductor "“ including the human body," said Dave Heacock, senior vice president of TI Silicon Valley Analog. "LDCs provide system designers with a new platform for developing breakthrough solutions to difficult system problems. We can't wait to see what they come up with."

Key benefits of LDC technology:
Higher resolution: Enables sub-micron resolution in position-sensing applications with 16-bit resonance impedance and 24-bit inductance values.
Increased reliability: Offers contactless sensing that is immune to non-conductive contaminants, such as oil, dirt and dust, which can shorten equipment life.
Greater flexibility: Allows the sensor to be located remotely from the electronics, where PCBs cannot be placed.
Lower system cost: Uses low-cost sensors and targets and does not require magnets.
Limitless possibilities: Supports pressed foil or conductive ink targets, offering endless opportunities for creative and innovative system design.
Lower system power: Consumes less than 8.5 mW during standard operation and less than 1.25 mW in standby mode.

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