Resistive Sensor Signal Conditioner with Analog Output and Diagnostic Features

The ZSC31015 (RBicdLite™) is a CMOS integrated circuit for highly accurate amplification and sensor-specific correction of bridge sensor signals. Digital compensation of sensor offset, sensitivity, temperature drift and non-linearity is accomplished via an internal digital signal processor running a correction algorithm with calibration coefficients stored in a non-volatile EEPROM. The ZSC31015 is adjustable to nearly all piezoresistive bridge sensors. Measured and corrected bridge values are provided at the SIG™ pin, which can be configured as an analog voltage output or as a one-wire serial digital output. The digital one-wire interface can be used for a simple PC-controlled calibration procedure to program a set of calibration coefficients into an on-chip EEPROM. The calibrated ZSC31015 and a specific sensor are mated digitally: fast, precise, and without the cost overhead associated with trimming by external devices or laser. Integrated diagnostics functions make the ZSC31015 particularly well suited for automotive applications.