Universal Sensors and Transducers Interface (USTI)

Note: These devices can also be supplied in wafer form. Please contact SWP sales office for detailed ordering information and minimum quantities.

Special prices for distributors. New regional distributors are welcomed.

Product Description

The Universal Sensors and Transducers Interface (USTI) is a fully digital CMOS integrated circuit of universal, 2-channel, high precision, multifunctional converter based on novel, patented, advanced methods for frequency, period, its ratio, duty-cycle, pulse width modulated and phase-shift measurements. It is perfectly suited to any applications where frequency-time parameters but also sensors output signal, have to be measured with highest resolution and programmable accuracy during the non redundant conversion time.

The USTI covers a wide range of frequencies and accuracies for modern quasi-digital sensors and transducers. In addition, the USTI provides interfacing for resistive (including platinum, cuprum resistors and thermistors), capacitive sensing elements and resistive bridges.

By using this IC it is possible to build a wide variety of digital, smart sensors and intelligent sensor systems. The device represents a high-resolution conversion and designed to support all range of frequency-time domain and digital sensor applications. It offers high performances with flexibility and requires minimum possible number of external components. The USTI can be easy included into digital environment, controlled by an external microcontroller (slave mode) or work independently as a separate measuring unit without an external control (master mode). The function selection can be configured in both software and hardware.

The IC converts frequency-time domain signals, resistance and capacitance of sensing elements and resistance of sensor bridges into digital and provides digital, bus interface to microcontroller, DAQ or sensor system to read these digital results. Sensing elements can be directly connected to the USTI without the need for extra electronics. Only a single reference element, of the same kind as the sensor, is required.

The USTI has 29 measuring and one generating modes. The measuring mode can be hardware-2 selected by using three selection external pins M0-M2 and the relative error by using three selection pins N0-N2 (RS232 master communication mode). The mode and accuracy can be also selected by using any of three possible interfaces (slave communication mode). A communication interface type (RS232, SPI or I2C) can be automatically selected according to the circuit connection.

The USTI can measure the following frequency-time parameters of signals and sensing elements:

The USTI can also work with voltage and current output sensors. It this case, any voltage–to-frequency converter (VFC) can be used. The accuracy of such system will be determined by sensor accuracy as well as by VFC accuracy.

Features:

• 29 measuring modes and one generator mode
• 2 identical channels
• Provides frequency (time)-to-digital conversion for many types of sensors and transducers
• Provides interfacing for resistive (including platinum (Pt), cuprum (Cu) resistors and thermistors (Ni)), capacitive sensing elements and resistive bridges
• Frequency range from 0.05 Hz up to 9 MHz without prescaling and 144 MHz with prescaling
• Programmable accuracy (relative error) for frequency (period) conversion from ± 1 % to ± 0.0005 %
• Relative quantization error is constant in all specified frequency range
• Non-redundant conversion time
• Scalable resolution
• Internal reference clock 625 kHz, 20 MHz @ 20 MHz quartz oscillator
• Quartz-accurate automated calibration
• 3-wire serial interface (SPI compatible)
• 2-wire interface (I2C compatible)
• RS-232/485 serial interface
• Master and slave communication modes
• Frequency generator mode 10 MHz with quartz crystal stabilit

Custom Design

The custom design is available. The possibility additional functions include but not restricted by:

• Additional measuring modes (for example, measuring mode with non-redundant reference frequency for low power applications, etc.)

• Additional mathematical operations for on-chip data and signal processing

• Various interfaces

• Increased accuracy, reduced conversion time and expanded frequency range

• Integrating sensor interface ICs and precision data converters into your system

• Extended temperature range for automotive and military applications

Most of necessary functions can be implemented on a single circuit and so to provide a system-on-chip solution. The device can also be supplied in wafer form. On the base of the USTI we also can develop complete solutions and additional modules to fit your applications. For more information please contact: info@sensorsportal.com

The USTI is also available as an IP for the use in microelectronic design at: Worldwide Component Library and Design & Reuse

Typical Applications:

• Physical, chemical and biosensors, sensor systems, SoC, SiP, BioMEMS, Lab-on-Chip and Micro-Nano Bio Systems (MNBS)

• Digital sensors design: any frequency, period, duty-cycle, PWM, time interval, phase-shift, pulse number output sensors and transducers in order to produce a digital output

• Smart (self-adaptive) sensors due to programmable accuracy and non-redundant conversion time - adaptive possibilities of USTI automatically select the conversion time depending on the given error of measurement and opposite

• Multifunctional and multiparamters sensors for simultaneous detection various parameters proportional to frequency and duty-cycle carrying the information provided by sensing elements.

• Data acquisition (DAQ) boards and systems for frequency-time parameters

• Virtual instruments

• Desktop multifunctional, universal frequency counters

• Tachometers and tachometric systems

• Handheld multimeters for frequency-time parameters of electric signals

• High-end, mid- and low-range ABS

• High accuracy programmable frequency-time parameters–to–digital converters for different measuring and communication applications

• Advanced analog-to-digital conversion using a voltage-to-frequency converters for remote sensors

Documentations and Software:

1. Universal Sensors and Transducers Interface (USTI). Data Sheet

2. Universal Sensors and Transducers Interface (USTI).Specification and Application Notes

3. Terminal V1.9B for Windows (Software)

4. Catalog of ICs (Product Overwiew and Price List)

Books about how to design sensor and sensor systems based on USTI IC:

[1]. Yurish S. Y., Digital Sensors and Sensor Systems: Practical Design, IFSA Publishing, 2011.

Application Specific and Research Papers:

[1].  Yurish S. Y., Smart Universal Sensor and Transducer Interface, in Proceedings of SENSOR+TEST Conference 2007, Nurnberg, Germany, 22-24 May 2007, Vol. 1, pp. 307-312.

[2].  Yurish S. Y., Universal Smart Sensors Interface and Signal Conditioner, in Proceedings of the 6^th IEEE Conference Sensors 2007, Atlanta, USA, 28-31 October, 2007, pp.24-27.

[3].  Yurish S. Y., Novel Universal Frequency-to-Digital Converters and Sensors Interface Integrated Circuits, Sensor Electronics and Microsystem Technologies, 3, 2008, pp.81-90.

[4].  Yurish S. Y., Advanced Automated Calibration Technique for Universal Sensors and Transducers Interface IC, in Proceedings of the IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I²MTC 2009),

       Singapore, May 5-7, 2009, pp.402-405 (Download: 533 Kb)

[5].  Yurish S. Y., Intelligent Data Acquisition System for Quartz Crystal Microbalance and Other Resonator-Based Sensors, in Proceedings of the IEEE International Workshop on Intelligent Data Acquisition and Advanced

       Computing Systems: Technology and Applications, 6-8 September 2007, Dortmund, Germany, pp. 2-7  (Download: 249 Kb)

[6].  Yurish S. Y., Smart Sensors Systems: Project Research Results Dissemination, Exploiting and Using in Teaching Activities, in Proceedings of the Marie Curie Conference, European Open Forum (ESOF‘ 2008), 17-18 July

       2008, Barcelona, Spain, P-297 (Download poster: 0.5 Mb)

[7].  Yurish S. Y., Low-Cost Automatic Paper-Type Sensor Based on Universal Sensors and Transducers Interfacing ICs, in Proceedings of the 22^nd International Conference EUROSENSORS XXII, Dresden, Germany,
       7-10 September 2008, pp.425-428. (Download poster: 2.86 Mb)

[8].  Yurish S. Y., Low-cost, Dual-Axis Smart Inclinometer, in Proceedings of the 7^th IEEE Conference on Sensors (IEEE SENSORS' 2008), 26-29 October 2008, Lecce, Italy, pp.1488-1491 (Download: 389 Kb)

[9].  Yurish S. Y., Smart Sensors Systems Design: New Challenges, 9-11 June 2008, Donald E. Stephens Convention Centre, Rosemont, IL, Illinois, USA (Download presentation: 5.4 Mb)

[10].Yurish S. Y., Universal Resistance-to-Digital Converter, in Proceedings of the 2^nd International Conference on Advances in Circuits, Electronics and Micro-electronics (CENICS’ 2009), Sliema, Malta,
       11-16 October 2009, pp.28-33.

[11].Yurish S. Y., Universal Capacitive Sensors and Transducers Interface, in Proceedings of the 23^rd International Conference EUROSENSORS XXIII, Procedia Chemistry 1, Lausanne, Switzerland,
       6-9 September 2009, pp.441-444 (Download: 240 Kb)

[12].Yurish S. Y., Intelligent Multichannel Data Acquisition Systems Based on Integrated Universal Sensors and Transducers Interfacing Circuits, in Proceedings of the IEEE 5^th International Workshop on Intelligent Data

       Acquisition and Advanced Computing Systems: Technology and Applications (IDAACS’2009), 21-23 September, 2009, Rende (Cosenza), pp.38-43.

[13].Yurish S. Y., Non-contact, Short Distance Measuring System for Wide Applications, in Proceedings of the IMEKO  XIX  World  Congress, 6-11 September 2009, Lisbon, Portugal, pp.643-647.

[14].Yurish S. Y., Low-Cost Smart Self-Adaptive Humidity Sensors with Parametric Adaptation, in Proceedings of the SENSOR+TEST Conference 2009, Nurnberg, Germany, 26-28 May 2009, Vol.2, pp.117-122
       (Download: 881 Kb).

[15].Yurish S. Y., Universal Interfacing Circuit for Resistive-Bridge Sensors, in Proceedings of the1^st International Conference on Sensor Device Technologies and Applications (SENSORDEVICES' 2010) Venice, Italy,
       18-25 July 2010, pp.211-216

[16].Yurish S. Y., A Simple and Universal Resistive-Bridge Sensors Interface, Sensors & Transducers, Vol. 10, Special Issue, February 2010, pp.46-59 (Download: 1.08 Mb)

[17].Yurish S. Y., Multichannel Data Acquisition System for Smart Sensors and Transducers, Sensors & Transducers, Vol.8, February 2010, pp. 1-12 (Download: 900 kb)

[18].Yurish S. Y., Smart and Intelligent Optoelectronic Sensor Systems: OEM Design Approach, in Proceedings of the 2^nd International Conference on Sensor Device Technologies and Applications

       (SENSORDEVICES' 2011), French Riviera, Nice/Saint Laurent du Var, 21-27 August, 2011, pp.38-43.

[19].Yurish S. Y., Novel Measuring Technologies and Series of Universal Sensors & Transducers Interfaces (USTI) ICs on its Basis, TechConnect Summit & Expo, 2011, 14 June 2011, Boston, USA (Download: 305 kb)

[20].Jon Titus, Interface Chip Simplifies Time-Frequency Measurements, Design News, 26 September 2011.

Press Releases

1. New Excelera's Products Catalog 2016: Focus on Excellence,

    Sensors & Transducers Magazine (e-Digest), Vol. 194, Issue 11, November 2015

2. Technology Assistance BCNA 2010, S. L. has been Nominated for Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Award in the Sensors Market,  Press Release, Sensors & Transducers e-Digest, Vol. 133, Issue 10, October 2011

3. Universal Sensors and Transducers Interfacing Circuit Now on the Market, Press Release, Sensors & Transducers e-Digest, Vol.132, Issue 9, September 2011

4. Novel Measuring Technologies and Series of Universal Sensors and Transducers Interfaces (USTI) ICs on its Basis are Ready for Licensing and Manufacturing, Press Release, Sensors & Transducers e-Digest, 

    Vol. 129, Issue 6, June 2011

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