The INA210AIDCKR is a current shunt monitor integrated circuit (IC) from Texas Instruments. This IC is designed to measure the voltage drop across a current sensing resistor and is often used in power management and battery monitoring applications.
Package and Pinout
The INA210AIDCKR is in a VSSOP-10 (Very Thin Shrink Outline Package) with 10 pins. Below is a detailed explanation of each pin and its function.
Pinout and Function Table:
Pin Number Pin Name Pin Function Description 1 V+ Positive supply voltage pin. This pin connects to the positive power supply voltage (typically 2.7V to 40V). 2 GND Ground pin. This pin connects to the ground of the system. 3 ALERT Open-drain alert output. This pin is used to signal an alert if certain conditions (e.g., over-current, over-voltage) are met. The ALERT pin can be pulled low to indicate an error. 4 V- Negative supply voltage pin. This pin connects to the negative power supply (or ground, depending on system configuration). 5 IN+ Positive input for differential voltage sensing. This pin connects to the voltage side of the current sensing resistor. It reads the voltage drop across the resistor. 6 IN- Negative input for differential voltage sensing. This pin connects to the other side of the current sensing resistor. It also reads the voltage drop across the resistor. 7 SDA Serial Data input/output for I2C communication. This pin is used for communication with the system controller to read measurements and configure the INA210. 8 SCL Serial Clock input for I2C communication. This pin provides the clock signal for communication with the system controller. 9 ADDR Address select pin for I2C communication. This pin is used to set the I2C device address by connecting to ground or V+ (depending on desired address). 10 VREF Reference voltage input pin. This pin is used to set the voltage reference for the internal comparator , typically connected to a reference voltage source.Circuit Principle:
The INA210AIDCKR uses a high-precision operational amplifier to sense the voltage across the current-sensing resistor placed in series with the load. The input differential voltage (between IN+ and IN-) is amplified, and the resulting output is digitized and sent via the I2C interface (pins SDA and SCL) for further processing.
The voltage drop across the current-sensing resistor is proportional to the current flowing through the load, and this can be measured by the system through I2C.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the supply voltage range for the INA210AIDCKR? The INA210AIDCKR operates with a supply voltage between 2.7V and 40V. What is the maximum current that can be measured by the INA210AIDCKR? The maximum current depends on the value of the current sense resistor. The INA210 can measure very small voltage drops, enabling it to detect currents in the milliamps or microamps range. How is the ALERT pin used? The ALERT pin is an open-drain output. It signals an alert condition when certain thresholds (like over-voltage or over-current) are reached. The pin needs an external pull-up resistor. What communication interface does the INA210AIDCKR use? The INA210AIDCKR uses the I2C interface for communication, with pins SDA and SCL for data and clock signals. Can I change the I2C address of the INA210AIDCKR? Yes, the I2C address can be changed by configuring the ADDR pin, allowing multiple INA210 devices to be connected to the same I2C bus. What is the reference voltage for the INA210AIDCKR? The reference voltage input is connected to pin VREF and sets the internal comparator's reference voltage. It should typically be tied to a stable reference voltage. How do I calculate the current from the voltage drop measured by the INA210AIDCKR? The current can be calculated using Ohm's law: I = Vdrop / Rsense, where Vdrop is the voltage difference between IN+ and IN-, and Rsense is the value of the current sense resistor. What is the typical response time of the INA210AIDCKR? The response time of the INA210 is dependent on the conversion time of the I2C interface and the sample rate, typically around 10ms for one reading. Can the INA210AIDCKR measure both positive and negative currents? Yes, the INA210 can measure both positive and negative currents, as long as the IN+ and IN- inputs are properly connected to the current sense resistor.What is the power consumption of the INA210AIDCKR?
The power consumption is typically very low, typically around 50µA for a single measurement, but this depends on the clock rate and other factors.Is there an internal reference voltage in the INA210AIDCKR?
Yes, the INA210 uses an internal 1.25V reference, which is used for internal comparisons and operation.How precise is the INA210AIDCKR in measuring small voltage drops?
The INA210AIDCKR is highly precise, with a typical input offset voltage of only 10µV, making it suitable for detecting small voltage drops across low-value sense resistors.What happens when the voltage on the VREF pin is disconnected?
If VREF is disconnected or not supplied with a stable reference, the INA210 may not function correctly, as it relies on this voltage for accurate measurements.How do I configure the INA210AIDCKR for continuous measurements?
To continuously measure, you can configure the INA210 using the I2C interface to set the measurement rate and mode, such as single-shot or continuous conversion mode.Can the INA210AIDCKR be used for both high-side and low-side current sensing?
Yes, the INA210 can be used for both high-side and low-side current sensing, depending on how the IN+ and IN- pins are connected in the circuit.What is the accuracy of the INA210AIDCKR?
The INA210AIDCKR has a typical accuracy of 0.2% for voltage measurement, which directly impacts the current measurement accuracy.Is it possible to connect multiple INA210AIDCKR devices on the same I2C bus?
Yes, you can connect multiple INA210 devices on the same I2C bus by assigning different addresses to each device using the ADDR pin.Can I use the INA210AIDCKR to monitor battery charging circuits?
Yes, the INA210 is ideal for battery management applications, including monitoring current in charging circuits, as it provides accurate current measurements.**What is the input voltage range for the *IN+* and IN- pins?**
The input voltage range for IN+ and IN- pins is -0.3V to (V+ + 0.3V). Exceeding this range could damage the device.What is the typical output format of the INA210AIDCKR when using I2C?
The INA210 outputs the current measurement data as a digital value through the I2C interface, which can be read by the system microcontroller or processor.Conclusion:
The INA210AIDCKR is a highly accurate current shunt monitor IC from Texas Instruments with a VSSOP-10 package, ideal for precise current measurement in various applications. Its I2C communication and configurable alerts make it a flexible choice for power management systems.
