Texas Instruments INA260AIPWR

Overview

INA260AIPWR from Texas Instruments is a precision digital current, voltage, and power monitor IC with an integrated 4.5-mΩ shunt resistor, I²C/SMBus interface, 0–36 V common-mode bus sensing range, ±15 A continuous current capability, and 16-bit ADC resolution for simultaneous current (±5 mA offset max), voltage (±7.5 mV offset max), and power reporting. It enables high-accuracy real-time power management in server PSU monitoring.

For engineers reviewing the INA260AIPWR datasheet, INA260AIPWR pinout, INA260AIPWR application, or INA260AIPWR equivalent, key selection considerations include its integrated Kelvin-shunt architecture, programmable alert thresholds for over-current/voltage/power events, 0.15% system gain error (max), 16-pin TSSOP package, and support for high-side or low-side sensing without external calibration.

Technical Context

The INA260AIPWR implements a dual-path 16-bit sigma-delta ADC architecture: one path digitizes the voltage across its internal 4.5-mΩ shunt (with 2 mΩ precision element) to derive current, while the other digitizes VBUS to derive bus voltage; power is computed digitally via internal multiplier. Its independent 0–36 V common-mode input range operates regardless of 2.7–5.5 V supply voltage.

It supports configurable averaging (1–1024 samples), triggered or continuous conversion modes, and five alert functions (shunt OCL/UCL, bus BOL/BUL, power POL) routed to a single open-drain ALERT pin. The device maintains <10 ppm/°C temperature coefficient on gain and <50 µA/°C offset drift over –40°C to +125°C.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

INA260AIPWR is housed in a 16-pin TSSOP package (5.00 mm × 4.40 mm body size) with exposed thermal pad (not electrically connected). Pin functions are validated per TI SBOS656C datasheet Rev C.

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 INA260AIPWR uniquely combines integrated Kelvin shunt, on-chip power calculation, and five-alert-function flexibility in a single 16-pin TSSOP-reducing design complexity for systems requiring calibrated, self-contained power telemetry.

Availability

INA260AIPWR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for server power supplies, telecom rectifiers, battery chargers, industrial PLCs, and computing power management requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle assurance, and production-ready qualification.

Supply support for INA260AIPWR 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 company specializing in analog and embedded processing technologies, with leadership in precision signal chain and power management ICs.

The INA260AIPWR belongs to TI's high-accuracy current-sense monitor product line, designed specifically for digital power telemetry in servers, telecom infrastructure, and industrial power systems where integrated shunt stability and I²C-based telemetry reduce system-level calibration burden.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous current rating for the INA260AIPWR and under what conditions?

The INA260AIPWR supports ±15 A continuous current at ambient temperatures up to +85°C with no airflow and 1-oz. copper PCB planes. At +125°C ambient, it is rated for ±10 A continuous. These ratings assume the full 4.5-mΩ package resistance dissipates heat within safe junction limits; derating applies above +85°C. The INA260AIPWR also withstands 30 A for 5 seconds without damage, per Figure 22 in the SBOS656C datasheet.

Does the INA260AIPWR require external calibration, and how does its integrated shunt improve accuracy?

No, the INA260AIPWR does not require external calibration because its internal 2-mΩ Kelvin-connected shunt resistor and current-sense amplifier are factory-matched and temperature-compensated. This eliminates errors from PCB trace resistance, solder joint variance, and thermal gradients that affect discrete shunt solutions. The INA260AIPWR achieves 0.15% system gain error (max) and <10 ppm/°C gain drift-performance unattainable with typical external 0.1% shunts and op-amps.

Can the INA260AIPWR measure both high-side and low-side current, and what design considerations apply?

Yes, the INA260AIPWR supports both high-side and low-side current sensing. For high-side, connect IN+ to the supply and IN− to the load; for low-side, connect IN+ to the load ground and IN− to board ground. The common-mode input range (0–36 V) remains valid in either configuration. Critical design considerations include maintaining Kelvin routing for IN+/IN− traces and ensuring VBUS is referenced to the same ground as GND-no level-shifting circuitry is needed due to supply/sensing independence.

How does the ALERT pin function on the INA260AIPWR, and what events can trigger it?

The ALERT pin on the INA260AIPWR is an open-drain output configurable via the Mask/Enable Register to signal one of five events: shunt over-current limit (OCL), shunt under-current limit (UCL), bus voltage over-limit (BOL), bus voltage under-limit (BUL), or power over-limit (POL). Only one event type can be active at a time, with priority given to the highest-significance bit enabled. Thresholds are set in the Alert Limit Register (07h), and the pin asserts when the measured value exceeds the programmed limit-enabling hardware-fast fault response without host polling.

What is the conversion time for the INA260AIPWR, and how does averaging affect measurement latency?

The INA260AIPWR base conversion time ranges from 154 µs (CT = 000) to 9.068 ms (CT = 111), depending on the Configuration Register CT bits. When averaging is enabled (1–1024 samples), total latency equals conversion time × number of averages. For example, with CT = 001 (224 µs) and 64 averages, total latency is ~14.3 ms. The Conversion Ready Flag (CVRF) indicates completion, allowing host software to read final averaged results from the Power, Current, and Voltage registers without timing uncertainty.