Bengaluru: Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, has announced the RE46C190 3V photo smoke-detector IC with horn driver and boost regulator. The world’s first smoke-detector IC to offer low-voltage operation with programmable calibration and operating modes, the RE46C190 IC enables the desired operating modes to be selected and calibrated during manufacturing. This simplifies smoke-detector design and manufacturing, and reduces component count, and cost. Additionally, the IC’s low operating current of 8 microamperes typical enables up to 10 years of operation from a single Lithium battery. Two Alkaline batteries may also be used to power the RE46C190.

Programmable calibration and selection of smoke-detector operating modes provides designers with an easy way to control smoke-detector operation, and enables a single IC to be used to design smoke detectors for different markets and regulatory requirements. This feature also reduces the number of external components required, as electronic programmability allows the integration of several formerly external components into the IC, which in turn reduces costs associated with manufacturing and inventory.

“Microchip already offers a broad line of PIC microcontrollers, horn drivers, smoke-detector ICs, and signal-chain and power-management devices that enable numerous smoke-detector applications, from simple residential detectors to programmable commercial systems,” said Bryan J. Liddiard, vice president of marketing for Microchip’s Analog and Interface Products Division. “The addition of a low-voltage smoke-detector IC with programmable calibration and operating modes demonstrates Microchip’s steadfast commitment to developing innovative products for the smoke-detector market.”

Smoke-Detector IC Packaging, Pricing & Availability: The RE46C190 smoke-detector IC is available in a 16-pin SOIC 150 mil. Samples are available at http://www.microchip.com/get/JEQ6. Volume-production quantity orders can also be placed at microchipDIRECT (http://www.microchip.com/get/WVB9). For further information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorised worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip’s Web site at http://www.microchip.com/get/K628.