Texas Instruments INA260AIPW

Overview

INA260AIPW from Texas Instruments is a precision digital current, voltage, and power monitor IC with an integrated 2-mΩ shunt resistor, I²C/SMBus interface, and ±15-A continuous sensing capability across –40°C to +85°C. It performs high-side or low-side bidirectional measurements of bus voltages from 0 V to 36 V and delivers calibrated current (±5-mA offset max), voltage (±7.5-mV offset max), and power readings - used in server power rail monitoring and telecom DC-DC converter supervision.

For engineers reviewing the INA260AIPW datasheet, INA260AIPW pinout, INA260AIPW application, or INA260AIPW equivalent, key selection considerations include its 16-bit ADC resolution, 0.15% system gain error (max), programmable averaging, 16 I²C addresses, and integrated Kelvin-shunt architecture eliminating external layout sensitivity.

Technical Context

The INA260AIPW implements a dual-path 16-bit sigma-delta ADC: one path measures differential voltage across its internal 2-mΩ shunt (referred-to-input current sense) and the other measures VBUS relative to GND. Its on-chip multiplier computes real-time power (I × V) without host intervention, storing averaged results in dedicated Power/Current/Voltage registers.

It supports three operating modes - continuous conversion, triggered single-shot, and power-down - controlled via the Configuration Register (00h). Alert functionality is implemented through a single open-drain ALERT pin driven by five selectable threshold conditions (e.g., Shunt Over-Current, Bus Under-Voltage), each configurable via the Alert Limit Register (07h) and Mask/Enable Register (06h).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

INA260AIPW is housed in a 16-pin TSSOP package (5.00 mm × 4.40 mm body size) with exposed thermal pad (PW suffix), optimized for PCB heat dissipation in high-current applications.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with INA226AIDRCT and INA230AIDR, the INA260AIPW uniquely combines integrated Kelvin shunt, real-time hardware power calculation, and 0.15% system gain error - making it optimal for compact, high-accuracy power telemetry where layout simplicity and measurement fidelity are jointly critical.

Availability

INA260AIPW is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for server power rail monitoring, telecom DC-DC supervision, and battery charger management requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for INA260AIPW 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 INA260AIPW belongs to TI's high-accuracy current-sense amplifier product line, designed specifically for digital power monitoring in servers, telecom infrastructure, and industrial power systems where integrated shunt reliability and I²C-based telemetry are essential.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous current rating for the INA260AIPW?

The INA260AIPW supports ±15 A continuous current at ambient temperatures up to +85°C with standard 1-oz. copper PCB planes and no airflow. At +125°C ambient, derating applies - maximum continuous current drops to ±10 A. This rating is based on total package resistance (4.5 mΩ) and thermal limits ensuring junction temperature stays below 150°C. The INA260AIPW's internal 2-mΩ shunt contributes to this rating while maintaining 10 ppm/°C temperature coefficient.

Does the INA260AIPW require external calibration for current measurement?

No, the INA260AIPW does not require external calibration for current measurement. Its integrated 2-mΩ shunt resistor is factory-trimmed to 0.1% equivalent tolerance and matched to the sensing amplifier, delivering 0.15% system gain error (max) across –40°C to +125°C. The INA260AIPW achieves this accuracy without per-unit calibration because the Kelvin-connected shunt and amplifier are co-packaged and thermally coupled - eliminating drift mismatches common in discrete solutions.

Can the INA260AIPW measure bus voltages above 36 V?

No, the INA260AIPW must not be used with bus voltages exceeding 36 V. Although its internal ADC scaling supports up to 40.96 V full-scale (1.25-mV LSB), the absolute maximum common-mode input voltage is rated at 40 V, and the recommended operating range is strictly 0 V to 36 V. Applying >36 V risks violating the device's safe operating area and may cause permanent damage or erroneous readings. The INA260AIPW is intended for 12-V, 24-V, and 36-V industrial and telecom rails - not 48-V or higher systems.

How does the ALERT pin function in the INA260AIPW?

The ALERT pin in the INA260AIPW is an open-drain output that asserts when any one of five programmable conditions is met: Shunt Over-Current, Shunt Under-Current, Bus Over-Voltage, Bus Under-Voltage, or Power Over-Limit. Thresholds are set via the Alert Limit Register (07h), and condition selection is controlled by the Mask/Enable Register (06h). Only one alert function is active at a time, with priority determined by bit position. The INA260AIPW uses this pin to reduce host polling and enable hardware-triggered fault responses - a key feature distinguishing it from basic current-sense amplifiers.

Is the INA260AIPW compatible with SMBus protocols beyond basic I²C?

Yes, the INA260AIPW is fully compatible with SMBus 2.0 protocols including Packet Error Checking (PEC), SMBus Alert Response Address (ARA), and timeouts. Its I²C/SMBus interface includes a 28-ms SCL low-time timeout (per SMBus spec) and supports standard-mode (100 kHz) and fast-mode (400 kHz) clock rates. The INA260AIPW responds to all standard SMBus commands and register maps, making it interoperable with SMBus-based system management controllers (e.g., in servers and telecom chassis) without protocol translation.