Texas Instruments INA194AIDBVTG4

Overview

INA194AIDBVTG4 from Texas Instruments is a high-voltage current shunt monitor IC with 50 V/V fixed gain, operating from +2.7 V to +18 V supply and supporting −16 V to +80 V common-mode input voltage range. It delivers ±2.2% total output error over temperature, 300 kHz bandwidth, and 900 μA max quiescent current in a 5-pin SOT-23 package - used for precision current sensing in battery chargers and telecom power supplies.

For engineers reviewing the INA194AIDBVTG4 datasheet, INA194AIDBVTG4 pinout, INA194AIDBVTG4 application, or INA194AIDBVTG4 equivalent, key selection criteria include common-mode voltage tolerance (−16 V to +80 V), gain accuracy (±2.2% over temp), output swing capability (to within 0.2 V of V+), thermal performance (221.7 °C/W θJA), and compatibility with low-value shunt resistors (50 mV–100 mV full-scale).

Technical Context

The INA194AIDBVTG4 implements a patented dual-amplifier front-end architecture that enables operation across −16 V to +80 V common-mode voltage independent of supply rail, using current-mode signal conversion instead of resistor-matched instrumentation amplifiers. Its 50 V/V gain is laser-trimmed and fixed internally.

It operates in two distinct functional modes depending on common-mode polarity: amplifier A2 dominates for positive VCM (>0 V), while amplifier A1 activates for negative VCM (<0 V), with seamless transition between them. Output stage is optimized for sourcing current only, with ~400 μA sinking capability.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

INA194AIDBVTG4 is housed in a 5-pin SOT-23 (DBV) package measuring 2.90 mm × 1.60 mm, optimized for space-constrained PCB layouts and automated assembly.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar current sensing applications.

Compared with INA194AIDBVTG4, INA194AIDBVR offers identical performance in volume packaging, while MAX4080TASA+ trades common-mode range and power efficiency for integrated shutdown control - making INA194AIDBVTG4 optimal for wide-voltage, low-quiescent designs where reliability across extreme VCM is mandatory.

Availability

INA194AIDBVTG4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for battery chargers, telecom power supplies, and automotive body control modules requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and guaranteed traceable sourcing.

Supply support for INA194AIDBVTG4 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog and embedded processing technologies, with decades of expertise in precision signal conditioning and power management ICs.

The INA19x family was designed specifically for high-accuracy, high-common-mode current sensing in industrial, automotive, and telecom power systems - prioritizing wide VCM range, low error, and robust thermal performance in miniature packages.

FAQ

What is the maximum common-mode voltage the INA194AIDBVTG4 can handle?

The INA194AIDBVTG4 supports a common-mode input voltage range of −16 V to +80 V, meaning VIN+ may be as low as −16 V or as high as +80 V relative to GND, independent of the V+ supply voltage. This specification is validated per TI's SBOS307G datasheet Section 7.3 and enables direct high-side sensing in 48 V telecom systems and negative-rail industrial controls. The INA194AIDBVTG4 maintains functionality across this full range without external level-shifting circuitry.

Does the INA194AIDBVTG4 require external gain-setting resistors?

No, the INA194AIDBVTG4 features a factory-laser-trimmed fixed gain of 50 V/V. All resistive feedback networks are internal and calibrated during production - eliminating the need for external resistors, reducing board area, and avoiding gain drift due to component tolerances. This is confirmed in the Device Comparison Table (Section 5) and Electrical Characteristics (Section 7.5) of the SBOS307G datasheet for INA194AIDBVTG4.

What is the output voltage swing capability of the INA194AIDBVTG4?

The INA194AIDBVTG4 output swings to within 0.2 V of the V+ rail and to within 50 mV of GND under 100 kΩ load, as specified in Section 7.5 "Voltage Output" of the SBOS307G datasheet. For example, with V+ = 12 V, the output ranges from ~0.05 V to ~11.8 V. This rail-to-rail output capability simplifies interface with 12-bit ADCs and eliminates need for output level-shifting in most applications using INA194AIDBVTG4.

Can the INA194AIDBVTG4 be used for bidirectional current sensing?

The INA194AIDBVTG4 is unidirectional: it measures current flowing from VIN+ to VIN− only. Its output voltage is always ≥0 V and increases with positive differential input (VIN+ > VIN−). To sense reverse current (e.g., battery discharge vs. charge), a separate device such as INA195 (100 V/V) or INA196 (20 V/V) with appropriate reference biasing is required. This limitation is inherent to the architecture described in Section 8.3.3 of the SBOS307G datasheet for INA194AIDBVTG4.

What is the thermal resistance (θJA) of the INA194AIDBVTG4 in its SOT-23 package?

The junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (θJA) of the INA194AIDBVTG4 in the DBV (SOT-23) package is 221.7 °C/W, as specified in Section 7.4 "Thermal Information" of the SBOS307G datasheet. This value assumes standard JEDEC 2-layer board conditions. Designers must ensure adequate copper pour and thermal vias beneath the exposed pad (if present) or adjacent GND traces to maintain junction temperature below 150°C under worst-case power dissipation (P = V+ × IQ ≈ 18 V × 0.9 mA = 16.2 mW) for INA194AIDBVTG4.