Renesas ZSSC3123AA6B

Overview

ZSSC3123AA6B from Renesas Electronics is a CMOS capacitive sensor signal conditioner IC that performs high-accuracy capacitance-to-digital conversion and digital compensation of sensor offset, sensitivity, and temperature drift using on-chip EEPROM-stored calibration coefficients. It supports single or differential capacitive sensors up to 260 pF, offers I²C/SPI/PDM outputs, and operates from 2.3 V to 5.5 V across –40°C to +125°C - used in industrial pressure, level, and proximity sensing systems.

For engineers reviewing the ZSSC3123AA6B datasheet, ZSSC3123AA6B pinout, ZSSC3123AA6B application, or ZSSC3123AA6B equivalent, key selection criteria include its 14-TSSOP package, programmable resolution (8–14 bit), dual alarm outputs with push-pull/open-drain configuration, ±0.25% FSO accuracy over temperature, and support for die-bonded chip-on-board assembly.

Technical Context

The ZSSC3123AA6B integrates a capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC) with configurable multiplier settings (Mult1–Mult8), enabling full-scale input ranges from 2 pF to 260 pF. Its digital signal processor executes piecewise 1st/2nd-order or single-region 3rd-order sensor compensation and 1st/2nd-order temperature gain/offset drift correction.

It features an internal temperature reference sensor, no external components required for thermal compensation, and supports four output modes: I²C, SPI, PDM (capacitance and temperature), and two independent alarm signals. The Ready pin indicates measurement completion, and EEPROM stores configuration registers and calibration coefficients.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 4.4 mm × 5.0 mm 14-pin TSSOP (lead-free, RoHS-compliant). Pinout validated per Renesas ZSSC3123 Datasheet Rev. Nov 2021, Page 7 (Figure 1 and Table 1).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar capacitive sensor signal conditioning applications.

Compared with ICM-42688-P and AD7745, the ZSSC3123AA6B uniquely integrates sensor-specific correction algorithms, dual alarm outputs, PDM ratiometric outputs, and EEPROM-based calibration storage - reducing BOM count, firmware complexity, and production calibration cost in volume OEM designs.

Availability

ZSSC3123AA6B is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial pressure sensing, automotive HVAC controls, smart level sensors, and medical disposable fluid monitoring requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for ZSSC3123AA6B 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

Renesas Electronics is a global semiconductor leader delivering microcontrollers, analog, power, and SoC solutions for automotive, industrial, infrastructure, and IoT applications.

The ZSSC3123AA6B belongs to Renesas' cLite™ family of capacitive signal conditioners, engineered specifically for high-accuracy, low-power, and calibration-efficient integration with MEMS and printed capacitive sensors in harsh-environment industrial and automotive systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum sensor capacitance supported by the ZSSC3123AA6B?

The ZSSC3123AA6B supports sensor capacitances up to 260 pF when configured with the Mult8 setting. This is achieved through internal programmable gain scaling in the capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC), allowing full-scale operation across multiple ranges: 2–10 pF (Mult1), 8–32 pF (Mult2), 32–130 pF (Mult4), and 130–260 pF (Mult8). The ZSSC3123AA6B automatically adjusts resolution and conversion time based on selected range.

Does the ZSSC3123AA6B require external components for temperature compensation?

No, the ZSSC3123AA6B includes an internal temperature sensor and performs full 1st- and 2nd-order temperature gain and offset drift compensation digitally using coefficients stored in on-chip EEPROM. No external thermistor, RTD, or reference components are needed - simplifying layout and improving long-term stability in the ZSSC3123AA6B design.

Can the ZSSC3123AA6B operate in ultra-low-power modes for battery-powered applications?

Yes, the ZSSC3123AA6B supports Sleep Mode with typical current consumption ≤1 μA at 85°C. In this mode, it maintains EEPROM and configuration state while disabling the CDC and digital core. Wake-up is triggered by I²C/SPI activity or alarm events. This makes the ZSSC3123AA6B well-suited for energy-constrained applications such as portable medical devices and wireless sensor nodes.

How is calibration performed for the ZSSC3123AA6B?

Calibration of the ZSSC3123AA6B is performed digitally via I²C interface using Renesas-provided software tools. A one-pass procedure writes sensor-specific offset, sensitivity, and temperature drift coefficients into the on-chip EEPROM. Once programmed, the ZSSC3123AA6B autonomously applies correction during operation - eliminating laser trimming, external DACs, or manual potentiometer adjustments.

What output formats does the ZSSC3123AA6B support besides I²C and SPI?

In addition to I²C and SPI, the ZSSC3123AA6B supports Pulse Density Modulation (PDM) outputs for both capacitance (PDM_C) and temperature (PDM_T), delivered on dedicated pins. These ratiometric, clock-less outputs simplify interfacing with MCUs featuring PDM decimation filters - avoiding the need for additional ADC resources. The ZSSC3123AA6B also provides two configurable alarm outputs (Alarm_High and Alarm_Low) with push-pull or open-drain drive capability.