The essential task of any sensor is to convert non electrical signals, such as light, pressure, magnetic field, acceleration, or flow, into electrical signals, which can be readily conditioned using analog and digital electronics. Low noise and low offset electronics are needed to read out the sensor signals. The electronics has to amplify the low level sensor signals and adjust the output signal swing, convert the signal to digital format and post process it. In many instrumentation/sensor systems there are three main areas of concern for the designers: reliability, miniaturization, and lifetime. All these three topics can be handled more effectively if microelectronics and in particularly Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) front ends together with integrated sensor technologies are used.

The front end signal processing circuitry required to operate the sensor is designed for low power operation. In addition to using a low power conversion method, many emerging low power electronics systems employ low power and low voltage interface and signal processing circuitry to minimize power dissipation.

For more information contact: Ovidiu Vermesan