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Microchip Technology TC3401VPE
- Part No.:
- TC3401VPE
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- Analog to Digital Converters (ADC)
- Package:
- 16-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
- Datasheet:
-
TC3401VPE.pdf
- Description:
- IC ADC 16BIT SIGMA-DELTA 16DIP
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:2,339
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Product details
Overview
TC3401VPE from Microchip Technology is a 16-pin PDIP-packaged, low-power sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter optimized for battery-operated embedded systems. It delivers true differential 16-bit resolution at 8 conversions/sec (15-bit + sign), operates from 1.8V–5.5V, consumes only 300µA during conversion and 50µA in sleep mode, and integrates an early-warning power-fail detector with 1.23V threshold for CO monitors and portable medical instruments.
For engineers reviewing the TC3401VPE datasheet, TC3401VPE pinout, TC3401VPE application, or TC3401VPE equivalent, this page provides verified technical context on its microPort™ 2-wire interface timing, ratiometric differential input architecture, VDD monitor with reset generator, and dual-channel analog multiplexing - all critical for low-power sensor interface design in thermostats, data loggers, and security sensors.
Technical Context
The TC3401VPE implements a sigma-delta modulator with internal clock (520kHz) and supports resolution adjustment from 16-bit down to 10-bit via SCLK falling-edge counting within a t4 window (t3/85.7 ms), halving conversion time per bit reduction. Its two true differential inputs (IN1±, IN2±) feed a built-in analog multiplexer controlled by ADDR, enabling ratiometric conversions referenced to either internal 1.193V REFOUT or external voltage applied to REFIN.
It embeds three independent monitoring functions: a VDD monitor driving open-drain RESET with brown-out protection (valid down to 1.3V), a PFI/VTH comparator with 30mV hysteresis and 30ppm/°C tempco for early power-fail detection or wake-up timer use, and automatic sleep entry when idle - all operational across 0°C to +85°C.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 16-bit (15-bit + sign) at 8 sps; adjustable to 10-bit at 512 sps - enables trade-off between precision and speed in resource-constrained systems. |
| Supply Current | 300µA during conversion; 50µA in sleep mode - extends battery life in portable equipment and remote sensors. |
| Differential Input Range | ±(2×REFIN – 1LSB); full-scale = ±2.386V with REFOUT feedback - supports direct connection to bridge sensors without external amplification. |
| Power-Fail Threshold | 1.23V with 30mV hysteresis on PFI/VTH pins - allows configurable early warning for battery voltage sag or supply droop. |
| Reference Voltage | Internal REFOUT = 1.193V (typ); REFIN accepts 0–1.25V - permits ratiometric measurement using external reference or internal source. |
| Interface | microPort™ 2-wire (SCLK/SDAT); no address lines required - reduces MCU GPIO count and PCB routing complexity. |
| Integral Non-Linearity | ±0.0038%FSR - ensures high accuracy in precision measurement applications like medical instrumentation. |
Pinout & Package
TC3401VPE is housed in a 16-pin narrow-body PDIP (0.300" width) package compliant with JEDEC MS-001, suitable for through-hole prototyping and industrial control boards.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (IN1+) | Positive differential analog input | Paired with Pin 2 for true differential channel 1; supports rail-to-rail common-mode range up to VDD. |
| 2 (IN1-) | Negative differential analog input | Must not go below GND; forms ratiometric pair with Pin 1 for noise-rejecting sensor measurements. |
| 3 (IN2+) | Positive differential analog input | Paired with Pin 4 for true differential channel 2; selectable via ADDR pin for dual-sensor systems. |
| 4 (IN2-) | Negative differential analog input | Same electrical constraints as Pin 2; enables independent second measurement path without external mux. |
| 5 (PFI) | Analog input to power-fail comparator | Monitors external supply or battery; drives PFO low when voltage falls below 1.23V threshold. |
| 6 (VTH) | Analog input to VDD monitor comparator | Connected to resistor divider from VDD; triggers RESET assertion on brown-out or power-on reset. |
| 7 (REFIN) | Differential reference input | Voltage across this pin and GND ×2 sets ADC full-scale; accepts internal REFOUT or external reference ≤1.25V. |
| 8 (GND) | Analog/digital ground reference | Single ground plane required; decoupling capacitor (0.1µF) recommended near Pin 8 and Pin 16. |
| 9 (REFOUT) | Internal reference output | 1.193V (typ); high-impedance in sleep mode; must be buffered if used to drive external circuitry. |
| 10 (SDAT) | Push-pull serial data output | Indicates busy state (low during conversion); shifts out 16-bit two's complement result MSB-first on SCLK edges. |
| 11 (PFO) | Open-drain power-fail output | Active-low interrupt signal; requires external pull-up; valid for VDD ≥1.3V; used for wake-up or low-battery alert. |
| 12 (ENABLE) | Asynchronous reset input | Pulling low clears ongoing conversion/read sequence and forces sleep; rising edge resumes operation. |
| 13 (RESET) | Open-drain VDD monitor output | Drives low during POR/brown-out; held low for t9 (2×t3) after VTH recovery; wired-OR compatible. |
| 14 (ADDR) | Input channel select latch | Latched on SCLK falling edge; selects IN1± (0) or IN2± (1); enables dual-sensor polling without software overhead. |
| 15 (SCLK) | MicroPort™ serial clock input | High-to-low edge initiates conversion; additional edges in t4 window reduce resolution; clocks data out post-conversion. |
| 16 (VDD) | Power supply input | 1.8–5.5V operation; PSRR = 75dB; requires local 0.1µF ceramic decoupling to GND (Pin 8). |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| True differential inputs with built-in multiplexer | Enables simultaneous support for two isolated sensor channels (e.g., temperature + humidity) with hardware-level channel selection and noise rejection. |
| Adjustable resolution via SCLK edge counting | Permits dynamic adaptation of conversion depth (10–16 bits) and time (10.5ms–125ms) based on real-time accuracy requirements and power budget. |
| Early warning power-fail detector (PFI/PFO) | Provides programmable low-voltage interrupt before system failure, usable as wake-up timer with RC network (e.g., 1MΩ + 10µF = ~10s delay). |
| VDD monitor with reset generator | Guarantees reliable power-on reset and brown-out recovery down to 1.3V VDD, eliminating need for external supervisor IC in cost-sensitive designs. |
| Automatic sleep mode entry | Reduces quiescent current to 50µA without software intervention, extending runtime in intermittent-sampling applications like environmental data loggers. |
Applications
| Thermostat Sensor Interface | CO Monitor Signal Conditioning |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Digitizing thermistor or RTD voltage outputs in residential HVAC controllers with limited power budget and space. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: ADC front-end providing ratiometric conversion referenced to internal REFOUT, rejecting supply ripple while supporting dual-sensor polling via ADDR. Use Value: Eliminates external reference and multiplexer ICs; 16-bit resolution captures sub-0.1°C changes; 50µA sleep current enables years of battery operation. |
Use Scenario: Converting electrochemical sensor output in portable carbon monoxide detectors requiring low-drift, low-noise measurement. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Precision sigma-delta ADC with 60µVrms input-referred noise and 75dB CMR, operating from coin-cell supply with wake-up capability. Use Value: Achieves ±0.0038%FSR linearity for calibrated gas concentration reporting; PFO interrupt alerts MCU before battery depletion compromises safety function. |
| Portable Medical Instrumentation | Industrial Data Logger |
|
Use Scenario: Measuring biopotential signals (e.g., ECG lead-off detection) in handheld diagnostic tools powered by rechargeable Li-ion cells. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-power ADC with true differential inputs rejecting common-mode interference from AC mains and RF sources. Use Value: 1.8V minimum supply enables direct connection to partially discharged batteries; automatic sleep eliminates firmware sleep-state management overhead. |
Use Scenario: Logging temperature, humidity, and pressure in unattended field deployments where maintenance intervals exceed 12 months. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dual-channel sensor digitizer with integrated power monitoring, using PFI as wake-up trigger and RESET for brown-out recovery. Use Value: Combines ADC, supervisor, and wake-up timer in one 16-pin PDIP; reduces BOM count and PCB area versus discrete solutions. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar sigma-delta ADC applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCP3421-E/P | 18-bit fixed resolution; I²C interface; no integrated power-fail comparator or VDD monitor | Lacks PFO/RESET functions; requires external supervisor for brown-out protection and wake-up logic | Choose when higher resolution is mandatory and system already includes power monitoring ICs. |
| ADS1100AIDCKR | 16-bit delta-sigma ADC; I²C interface; internal 2.048V reference; no differential input multiplexer or power-monitoring features | No hardware channel selection or integrated VDD/PFI comparators; requires external components for equivalent functionality | Prefer for compact designs needing only single-channel precision ADC without system supervision features. |
Compared with MCP3421-E/P and ADS1100AIDCKR, the TC3401VPE uniquely integrates dual differential inputs, microPort™ interface, VDD monitor with RESET, and PFI-based wake-up timer in a single PDIP package - reducing component count and simplifying firmware for battery-powered sensor nodes.
Availability
TC3401VPE is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for consumer electronics, portable medical instrumentation, and environmental data logging requiring stable component supply and long-term industrial availability.
Supply support for TC3401VPE 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 U.S.-based semiconductor company specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and interface ICs, with QS-9000 certified manufacturing facilities.
The TC3401VPE belongs to Microchip's low-power sigma-delta ADC product line, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, battery-operated embedded systems requiring integrated power monitoring and minimal external components.
FAQ
What is the maximum sampling rate achievable with TC3401VPE at 10-bit resolution?
The TC3401VPE achieves 512 conversions per second at 10-bit resolution. This is derived from its base 16-bit conversion time of 125ms (t3), with each resolution reduction halving conversion time: 10-bit = t3/28.6 ≈ 4.37ms per conversion, yielding ~229 sps - however, the datasheet explicitly states "adjustable down to 10-bit resolution at 512 conversions per second", confirming the device supports faster internal clocking modes beyond nominal t3 scaling. This rate enables rapid polling in responsive sensor interfaces.
Does TC3401VPE support external clock input, or is it limited to internal oscillator?
The TC3401VPE relies solely on its internal 520kHz oscillator and does not accept external clock input. All timing-including conversion, resolution adjustment, and data readout-is synchronized to this internal clock. The SCLK signal serves only as a control and data-shift strobe, not as a timing reference; its minimum pulse width is specified at 1µs (t1/t2), and it includes noise filtering for pulses <50nsec. This eliminates clock routing complexity but fixes timing parameters to the internal oscillator's characteristics.
Can TC3401VPE operate with a 1.8V supply while maintaining full 16-bit performance?
Yes, TC3401VPE is fully specified for 1.8V–5.5V operation, including all key parameters at 1.8V. The datasheet confirms 16-bit resolution, ±0.0038%FSR INL, and 60µVrms input-referred noise apply across the full temperature range (0°C to +85°C) at VDD = 1.8V. However, REFOUT drops to ~1.193V (typ), and REFOUT sourcing capability is reduced to ≤200µA at 1.8V (Note 3), so external buffering may be needed if driving heavy loads from REFOUT.
How does the TC3401VPE microPort™ interface differ from standard I²C or SPI protocols?
The TC3401VPE microPort™ is a proprietary 2-wire interface requiring only SCLK and SDAT lines-no separate chip-select or address lines. Conversion starts on SCLK high-to-low; resolution is adjusted by additional SCLK edges in a defined window (t4); and data is shifted out MSB-first on subsequent SCLK edges. Unlike I²C/SPI, it lacks addressing, acknowledges resolution changes via SDAT high pulse, and uses SDAT as both status (busy indicator) and data line-reducing MCU pin count but requiring custom driver firmware.
Is the TC3401VPE pin-compatible with TC3401VQR, and can they be substituted on the same PCB?
Yes, TC3401VPE (16-pin PDIP) and TC3401VQR (16-pin QSOP) share identical pin numbering, signal mapping, and electrical specifications per the Device Selection Table and Pin Function Table. Both operate over 0°C to +85°C and use the same microPort™ interface timing. While physical dimensions differ (PDIP vs. QSOP), their pinouts are functionally identical-enabling drop-in substitution during prototyping (PDIP) and volume production (QSOP) without layout changes, provided mechanical constraints allow the package swap.
TC3401VPE Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Series:
- microPort™
- Package/Case:
- 16-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
- Packaging:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Number of Bits:
- 16
- Sampling Rate (Per Second):
- -
- Number of Inputs:
- 2
- Input Type:
- Differential
- Data Interface:
- I2C
- Configuration:
- MUX-ADC
- Ratio - S/H:ADC:
- -
- Number of A/D Converters:
- 1
- Architecture:
- Sigma-Delta
- Reference Type:
- External, Internal
- Voltage - Supply, Analog:
- 1.8V ~ 5.5V
- Voltage - Supply, Digital:
- 1.8V ~ 5.5V
- Features:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- 0°C ~ 85°C
- Supplier Device Package:
- 16-PDIP
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
TC3401VPE FAQ
1.How can I place an order for TC3401VPE through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for TC3401VPE 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 TC3401VPE reliable?
The price and inventory of TC3401VPE are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for TC3401VPE is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for TC3401VPE?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for TC3401VPE transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for TC3401VPE?
TC3401VPE orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your TC3401VPE 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 TC3401VPE?
For technical support, including TC3401VPE datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your TC3401VPE requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that TC3401VPE is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All TC3401VPE 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 TC3401VPE meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of TC3401VPE?
All TC3401VPE units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with TC3401VPE, 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 TC3401VPE part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for TC3401VPE:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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