Holtek Semiconductor is a leading semiconductor manufacturer specialising in the design and sale of microcontrollers and peripheral integrated circuits. Founded in 1983, the company has a strong position in the global market, particularly in the areas of consumer electronics, automotive and industrial applications. Holtek's product range includes 8-bit and 32-bit microcontrollers, power management chips and various peripherals, including and Delta-Sigma converters.
As sensors become a more common group of components used in the telemedicine, industrial or consumer automation markets, the demand for ADCs continues to grow.
The Delta-Sigma ADC is a very popular architecture in products requiring high resolution and precision such as, for example, scales, thermometers, glucometers, temperature/pressure transmitters.
The Delta Sigma ADC has the following advantage and disadvantage:
Advantage
High Resolution: The Delta Sigma ADC uses an oversampling technique to continuously sample signals multiple times over a period of time and then calculates the average output. This enables a high resolution and is ideal for applications with high-accuracy measurement of continuous signals.
Disadvantage
Longer Delay: The Delta Sigma ADC architecture includes a digital filter which requires a longer settling time for analog signal sudden changes or channel switching. This makes the Delta Sigma ADC more suitable for DC-almost signal measurements or applications with slow signal changes.
24-Bit Delta Sigma ADC Peripheral Series
Holtek's 24-Bit Delta Sigma ADC Peripheral Series includes multiple input channels and a programmable gain amplifier (PGA), and is specially designed for applications that interface differentially to analog signals. This series has the benefits of low noise and high accuracy, which can improve the measurement function of various high-accuracy sensor applications. Communication with external MCUs or devices is implemented through an internal I2C or SPI interface. The low power feature also enables this series for battery powered applications.
24-Bit Delta Sigma ADC Flash MCU Series
Holtek's 24-Bit Delta Sigma ADC Flash MCU Series includes 8-Bit Flash MCUs and Cortex® M0+ Flash MCUs. This series includes a multi-channel 24-Bit Delta Sigma ADC with the features of low noise and high accuracy.
Analog features include a programmable gain amplifier (PGA). Multiple and extremely flexible Timer Modules provide timing, pulse generation and PWM generation functions. Communication with external hardware is catered for by including fully integrated SPI, I²C or UART interface functions. The integrated LDO can provide power for the MCU and external devices. Protective features such as an internal Watchdog Timer, Low Voltage Reset and Low Voltage Detector coupled with excellent noise immunity and ESD protection ensure that reliable operation is maintained in hostile electrical environments.
24-Bit Delta Sigma ADC Health Care Flash MCU Series
Holtek's Health Care Flash MCU Series covers 8-Bit and 32-Bit Flash MCUs which include a multi-channel 24-Bit Delta Sigma ADC. Inheriting the analog features of the Holtek 24-Bit Delta Sigma ADC Flash MCU Series, this series also includes different AFE circuits in order to be embedded into applications such as forehead/ear thermometers, blood glucose meters (HCT & CGM) and body fat scales.
Application solutions:
