Texas Instruments INA231AIYFFT

Overview

INA231AIYFFT from Texas Instruments is a 16-bit I²C-output current, voltage, and power monitor IC for high- or low-side shunt sensing across 0 V to 28 V bus voltages, featuring ±50 µV shunt offset, 0.5% gain error, and 330 µA quiescent current - deployed in smartphones, servers, and battery chargers for real-time power telemetry.

For engineers reviewing the INA231AIYFFT datasheet, INA231AIYFFT pinout, INA231AIYFFT application, or INA231AIYFFT equivalent, this device delivers calibrated current (A) and power (W) readouts via internal multiplier logic, supports 16 I²C addresses, operates from 2.7 V to 5.5 V, and asserts ALERT on programmable over/under-limit events including shunt voltage, bus voltage, or power thresholds.

Technical Context

The INA231AIYFFT integrates dual 16-bit ADCs - one for differential shunt voltage (±81.92 mV full-scale), another for bus voltage (0–28 V) - with configurable averaging (1–1024 samples), programmable conversion time (140 µs to 9.07 ms), and background current/power calculation using a user-loaded calibration value. It performs continuous or triggered conversions under MODE register control.

Its ALERT pin is an open-drain output supporting five alert functions (SOL, SUL, BOL, BUL, POL) with single-function priority arbitration, and it remains functional during power-down mode (7 µA), recovering fully in 40 µs. The device maintains operation across –40°C to +125°C with 100 dB common-mode rejection at 25°C.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

INA231AIYFFT uses a 12-pin DSBGA (WCSP) package, YFF variant, measuring 1.65 mm × 1.39 mm × 0.62 mm, optimized for space-constrained portable electronics and high-density PCB layouts.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar current/voltage/power monitoring applications.

Compared with INA231AIYFFT, INA226AIRSAT offers superior DC accuracy and bidirectionality but requires firmware adaptation for register access and alert handling, while INA233AIRGTT provides enhanced reference stability in the same footprint at the cost of slightly higher quiescent current and no startup mode flexibility.

Availability

INA231AIYFFT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smartphone power management, server PSU telemetry, and industrial PoE++ PSE applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for INA231AIYFFT 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 chain and power management ICs.

The INA231 family was designed specifically for compact, high-accuracy power telemetry in space- and power-constrained systems - targeting mobile, computing, and infrastructure applications where calibrated current, voltage, and power data reduce host processing load.

FAQ

What is the maximum bus voltage the INA231AIYFFT can measure?

The INA231AIYFFT supports a bus voltage input range of 0 V to 28 V, as specified in its Recommended Operating Conditions. This allows direct monitoring of common rails including 12 V server supplies, 24 V industrial buses, and PoE++ (802.3bt) 57 V nominal (derated) systems. Exceeding 28 V risks damage per Absolute Maximum Ratings, even though the internal ADC scaling permits up to 40.96 V full-scale representation.

Does the INA231AIYFFT support both high-side and low-side current sensing?

Yes, the INA231AIYFFT supports both high-side and low-side shunt configurations. Its differential IN+ and IN− inputs accept common-mode voltages from 0 V to 28 V independently of the VS supply (2.7 V to 5.5 V), enabling placement on either side of the shunt resistor. No external components or mode changes are required - the same pin connections and register settings apply in both configurations.

How does the ALERT pin function on the INA231AIYFFT?

The ALERT pin on the INA231AIYFFT is an open-drain output that asserts low when any enabled alert condition is met - including shunt voltage over/under-limit, bus voltage over/under-limit, or power over-limit. Only one alert function is active at a time, selected via the Mask/Enable register. The pin also supports conversion-ready notification, and its polarity (active-low/high) is configurable via the APOL bit.

What is the significance of the 'A' suffix in INA231AIYFFT?

The 'A' in INA231AIYFFT denotes the INA231A variant, which powers up in active conversion mode - performing continuous shunt and bus voltage measurements immediately after power-on reset. This contrasts with the INA231B variant, which starts in low-current power-down mode. The 'YFF' suffix specifies the 12-pin DSBGA package with 0.62 mm height, and 'T' indicates tape-and-reel packaging.

Can the INA231AIYFFT operate from a 1.8-V I²C bus while powered from 3.3 V?

Yes, the INA231AIYFFT features a 1.8-V compliant I²C interface: its SCL and SDA pins tolerate 1.8 V logic levels and meet timing requirements down to 1.8 V, even when VS is 3.3 V. This allows direct interfacing with 1.8 V microcontrollers or FPGAs without level-shifting circuitry, reducing BOM count and layout complexity in mixed-voltage systems.