Analog Devices, Inc. announced the AD627 , a micro-power instrumentation amplifier that offers superior performance in less space and, at $2.30 in 1,000-piece quantities, at a lower cost than discrete designs.

Delivering rail-to-rail output swing on dual (+/- 18-V) and single (+2.2-V) supplies, the AD627 is an integrated, micro power in-amp that provides the user with excellent ac and dc specifications while drawing only 85 ýA max. Low voltage offset (200 mV), offset drift (3 ýV/ýC), gain error (0.1%), and gain drift (10 ppm/ýC) keep dc errors to a minimum

Additionally, the AD627 rejects line noise and line harmonics with a CMRR (common-mode rejection ratio) that remains high (93 dB min CMRR @ 60Hz, G= +5) up to 200 Hz. The ability to reject 60-Hz line noise, often found in florescent lighting and harsh environments such as factories, is a major advantage of the AD627.

Single-supply (+2.2-V) operation, low power consumption and rail-to-rail output swing make the AD627 well-suited for battery-powered applications. Its rail-to-rail output stage maximizes dynamic range when operating from low-supply voltages. Dual-supply operation (ý18 V) and low power consumption make the AD627 well-suited for industrial applications, including 4- to 20-mA, loop-powered systems.

The AD627 offers superior flexibility by allowing single resistor gain programming and by conforming to the 8-lead, industry standard pin-out configuration. With no external resistor, this in-amp is configured for a gain of 5. With an external resistor, it can be programmed for gains of up to 1000.

The 93 dB minimum CMRR at 60 Hz (with a gain of 5) is just outstanding and puts to pale current industry-standard products. This will enable instrumentation amplifiers to be designed into environments where it has simply never been possible before without extensive shielding and other protections. The fact that this level of rejection goes up to 200 Hz will also allow the part's use in environments where rectification is taking place -- deliberately or not -- which is a common problem in large plants and around electrically-operated train equipment, and transmission facilities.

The low current drain of 85 ýA (maximum) is also superb -- and another major challenge to the industry standards. I also like the low offset and the fact that Analog has not eliminated the possibility of operating the part at industrial voltage levels, a fact of life that is increasingly being forgotten by a number of manufacturers. This part will be ideal for current loops and with a standard pin-out configuration it is a shoe-in for many designs that are marginal with current parts. I certainly would not like to be asked to design an amplifier with this performance using discrete parts!

With an operating temperature range from -40 to +85ýC the AD627 is in production in either an 8-pin SOIC or PDIP, and is priced just below existing parts at $2.30 for 1000-piece lots.