Microchip Technology RE46C144S16TF
- Part No.:
- RE46C144S16TF
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- Sensor and Detector Interfaces
- Package:
- 16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
- Datasheet:
-
RE46C144S16TF.pdf
- Description:
- IC SMOKE DETECTOR CMOS 16-SOIC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
RE46C144S16TF from Microchip Technology is a low-power CMOS photoelectric smoke detector ASIC with integrated strobed detection, interconnect capability, 10-minute timer mode, and UL recognition per File S24036 for UL217/UL268 compliance. It features internal power-on reset, 4 µA standby current at 9V, 75% duty-cycle horn pattern, and supports up to 40 interconnected detectors.
For engineers reviewing the RE46C144S16TF datasheet, RE46C144S16TF pinout, RE46C144S16TF application, or RE46C144S16TF equivalent, this device serves as a complete analog front-end for photoelectric smoke chambers-requiring only an IR emitter/detector pair, minimal passive components, and a 9V battery supply to implement certified residential or commercial alarm systems.
Technical Context
The RE46C144S16TF implements a dual-gain photoamplifier (configured via external C1/C2 capacitors), strobed 100 µs IRED pulsing every 10.5 ms in standby, and adaptive smoke sampling-increasing detection frequency upon valid smoke events until three consecutive confirmations trigger local alarm. Its internal oscillator (10 ms nominal period) controls all timing, including LED pulsing (43 s standby), horn activation (252 ms on / 84 ms off), and chamber/battery self-tests every 43 s.
Interconnect operation uses a bidirectional IO pin with 670 ms digital filtering, constant-current drive during local alarm, and NMOS discharge post-alarm. Timer mode reconfigures the smoke comparator reference to VSEN (pin 15) for sensitivity adjustment over 10 minutes, while diagnostic mode repurposes pins for calibration-including C1/C2 output routing and hysteresis enable via FEED.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Supply Voltage | 6–12 V - Supports standard 9V alkaline batteries; includes low-battery detection at 7.2 V threshold. |
| Standby Current | 4 µA typ. at 9V - Enables >5 years battery life in typical residential smoke detector deployments. |
| Smoke Detection Interval | 10.5 ms nominal - Strobes IRED for 100 µs per cycle; adapts to 1.33 s after two smoke samples. |
| Horn Drive Output | HB/HS complementary outputs - Directly drives piezoelectric transducers with 75% duty-cycle temporal pattern. |
| Interconnect Support | Up to 40 units - Bidirectional IO pin with 670 ms filter enables interoperability with CO alarms and legacy systems. |
| Timer Mode Duration | 10 minutes - External resistor network on TEST/VSEN enables temporary sensitivity reduction for cooking nuisance alarms. |
| UL Recognition | File S24036 - Certified for UL217 (residential) and UL268 (commercial) smoke detector compliance. |
Pinout & Package
RE46C144S16TF is supplied in a 16-lead narrow SOIC package (3.90 mm body width), RoHS-compliant and tape-and-reel packaged (S16TF suffix). Thermal resistance θJA = 86.1°C/W.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| C1 (1) | High-gain capacitor input | Sets photoamplifier gain for push-to-test and chamber integrity checks; A = 1 + (C1/10 pF). |
| C2 (2) | Normal-gain capacitor input | Sets standby smoke sensitivity; A = 1 + (C2/10 pF); gain increases ~10% in alarm for hysteresis. |
| DETECT (3) | Photo diode cathode input | Zero-bias connection to photodiode; differential input referenced to STROBE (VDD−5V). |
| STROBE (4) | Strobed negative supply | Regulated VDD−5V output active during smoke sampling; powers photoamp reference circuitry. |
| VDD (5) | Positive power supply | Main 6–12 V input; powers all internal blocks and enables low-battery monitoring at VDD/1.25. |
| IRED (6) | Infrared emitter driver | Pulsed pre-driver (2.85–3.35 V, 6 mA max) for NPN transistor driving IR LED. |
| IO (7) | Bidirectional interconnect | Internal pull-down; driven high during local alarm; filters remote pulses ≥670 ms; discharges line post-alarm. |
| HB (8) | Horn brass (inverted) output | Complementary output to HS; connects to metal electrode of piezo transducer. |
| HS (9) | Horn silver output | Complementary output to HB; connects to ceramic electrode of piezo transducer. |
| FEED (10) | Horn feedback input | Connects to piezo feedback electrode via current-limiting resistor; unused pins must tie to VDD or VSS. |
| LED (11) | Open-drain LED driver | Drives visible status LED; pulsed 10 ms every 43 s in standby, 500 ms in alarm, 10 s in timer mode. |
| COSC (12) | Oscillator capacitor input | With parallel resistor ROSC, sets clock low time (~10 ms period); determines IRED pulse timing. |
| ROSC (13) | Oscillator resistor drive | Resistor between ROSC and COSC sets clock high time and IRED on-time (94–115 µs). |
| VSS (14) | Negative power supply | Ground reference for all analog and digital circuitry; common return for battery and transducer. |
| VSEN (15) | Hush/timer sensitivity input | In timer mode, replaces internal VDD−3.5V reference with external voltage for adjustable smoke threshold. |
| TEST (16) | Mode control input | Internal pull-down; high-level entry triggers push-to-test; high-to-low edge enables 10-minute timer mode. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| UL217/UL268 Recognition | Officially recognized under UL File S24036-enables direct use in certified smoke alarm designs without additional system-level certification burden. |
| Adaptive Smoke Sampling | Progressively reduces detection interval from 10.5 ms → 1.33 s → 1.33 s upon smoke confirmation, ensuring reliable alarm while minimizing false triggers. |
| Dual-Gain Photo Amplifier | Separate C1 (test/chamber) and C2 (standby) capacitor inputs allow independent optimization of sensitivity and noise immunity. |
| Integrated Self-Test Logic | Automated chamber integrity check (every 43 s using C1 gain) and low-battery detection (7.2 V threshold) with distinct chirp patterns. |
| 10-Minute Timer Mode | External resistor network on TEST/VSEN enables temporary sensitivity reduction-addressing cooking-related nuisance alarms without disabling detection. |
| Interconnect Compatibility | 670 ms digital filter and voltage-tolerant input allow interoperability with CO alarms and legacy AC-powered systems using shared interconnect wiring. |
Applications
| Residential Smoke Alarms | Commercial Ceiling-Mounted Detectors |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Battery-powered ceiling-mounted unit in single-family homes, apartments, or dormitories. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary smoke sensing ASIC managing IRED pulsing, photodiode signal amplification, alarm decision logic, and piezo horn drive. Use Value: 4 µA standby current extends 9V battery life beyond 5 years; UL217 recognition satisfies building code requirements out-of-box. |
Use Scenario: Hardwired or battery-backup detector in office buildings, hotels, or schools with multi-unit interconnect. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Interconnect-capable smoke sensor node that synchronizes alarm activation across up to 40 units via shared wiring. Use Value: Bidirectional IO pin with 670 ms filtering ensures reliable triggering from CO alarms or legacy AC systems without false alarms. |
| Kitchen Nuisance Alarm Mitigation | Service Technician Diagnostic Mode |
|
Use Scenario: Detector installed near cooking areas where steam or aerosols cause false alarms. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Timer-mode controller that temporarily lowers smoke sensitivity for 10 minutes after user-initiated button press. Use Value: VSEN-referenced comparator allows precise, externally adjustable threshold-reducing nuisance alarms without compromising safety. |
Use Scenario: Field calibration or factory test of assembled smoke chamber before deployment. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Reconfigurable diagnostic engine that repurposes IO, VSEN, FEED, and COSC pins for gain selection, hysteresis enable, and integrator output monitoring. Use Value: Eliminates need for external test equipment-enables full chamber characterization using only the RE46C144S16TF's native pins. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar photoelectric smoke detector ASIC applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allegro A5358 | Pin-compatible but lacks timer mode, VSEN input, and diagnostic mode; no UL File S24036 recognition. | Requires external circuitry for sensitivity adjustment and field calibration; not UL-certified for standalone use. | Select A5358 only if legacy design reuse is required and UL certification is handled at system level. |
| ON Semiconductor NCS36510 | Higher integration (integrated ADC, MCU core); 3.3V operation; requires firmware development and external smoke algorithm. | Supports smart features (Wi-Fi reporting, self-diagnostics) but increases BOM cost and validation effort. | Choose NCS36510 when adding connectivity or programmable logic is needed-RE46C144S16TF remains optimal for cost-sensitive, certified analog-only designs. |
Compared with Allegro A5358 and ON Semi NCS36510, the RE46C144S16TF delivers certified, turnkey photoelectric smoke detection with zero firmware, minimal passives, and built-in timer/hush functionality-making it the most direct path to UL217/UL268 compliance for discrete ASIC-based alarms.
Availability
RE46C144S16TF is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for residential fire safety systems, commercial building alarm networks, kitchen-nuisance mitigation modules, and service technician diagnostic tools requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.
Supply support for RE46C144S16TF 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
Microchip Technology is a global provider of microcontrollers, analog devices, and timing solutions, serving automotive, industrial, consumer, and computing markets with ISO/TS 16949-certified manufacturing.
The RE46C144S16TF belongs to Microchip's dedicated smoke detector ASIC product line-designed specifically for UL-certified, low-power, analog-intensive photoelectric alarm applications with minimal external components.
FAQ
What is the operating voltage range for the RE46C144S16TF?
The RE46C144S16TF operates from 6 V to 12 V DC, optimized for standard 9 V alkaline batteries. Its low-battery detection threshold is fixed at 7.2 V (typical), and internal regulation ensures stable performance across the full range-critical for maintaining consistent smoke sensitivity and horn drive strength throughout battery discharge.
How does the RE46C144S16TF achieve UL217 and UL268 recognition?
The RE46C144S16TF is UL Recognized under File S24036 specifically for use in smoke detectors complying with UL217 (residential) and UL268 (commercial) standards. This recognition covers its internal architecture-including strobed detection, dual-gain amplifier, self-test logic, and horn timing-allowing manufacturers to leverage the IC's certification in end-product listings without revalidating those functions.
What is the purpose of the C1 and C2 pins on the RE46C144S16TF?
C1 (pin 1) and C2 (pin 2) set the photoamplifier gain for high-sensitivity (push-to-test, chamber integrity) and normal-sensitivity (standby smoke detection) modes respectively. Gain is calculated as A = 1 + (C / 10 pF), enabling independent optimization: C1 adjusts test reliability, while C2 tunes baseline smoke response without affecting diagnostic behavior.
Can the RE46C144S16TF interconnect with non-Microchip smoke or CO detectors?
Yes-the RE46C144S16TF's IO pin includes a 670 ms digital filter and voltage-tolerant input, allowing reliable interoperability with CO alarms and legacy AC-powered systems. Its interconnect logic ignores short pulses and responds only to sustained high signals, preventing false triggering from incompatible sources while supporting up to 40-unit daisy-chained networks.
What happens during the 10-minute timer mode of the RE46C144S16TF?
When enabled via TEST pin edge, the RE46C144S16TF enters 10-minute timer mode: the smoke comparator reference shifts from internal VDD−3.5V to the voltage applied at VSEN (pin 15), permitting external adjustment of sensitivity. LED pulsing changes to 10 s intervals, and chamber testing continues-providing temporary, user-controlled nuisance alarm suppression without disabling detection.
RE46C144S16TF Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Package/Case:
- 16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
- Series:
- -
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Programmable:
- Not Verified
- Type:
- Smoke Detector
- Input Type:
- Photoelectric
- Output Type:
- Voltage
- Current - Supply:
- 8 µA
- Operating Temperature:
- -25°C ~ 75°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 16-SOIC
RE46C144S16TF FAQ
1.How can I place an order for RE46C144S16TF through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for RE46C144S16TF on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for RE46C144S16TF reliable?
The price and inventory of RE46C144S16TF are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for RE46C144S16TF is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for RE46C144S16TF?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for RE46C144S16TF transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for RE46C144S16TF?
RE46C144S16TF orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your RE46C144S16TF order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for RE46C144S16TF?
For technical support, including RE46C144S16TF datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your RE46C144S16TF requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that RE46C144S16TF is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All RE46C144S16TF products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that RE46C144S16TF meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of RE46C144S16TF?
All RE46C144S16TF units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with RE46C144S16TF, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The RE46C144S16TF part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for RE46C144S16TF:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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