National Semiconductor has introduced the industry’s first sensor signal path design tool that enables engineers to quickly move from concept to simulation to prototyping of common sensor solutions used in medical, industrial and high-end consumer products.

The WEBENCH Sensor Designer tool significantly reduces design time and cost by configuring a complete sensor signal path solution with just a few keystrokes. Prior to this design tool, an engineer would have to consume valuable development time matching sensor characteristics and performance with an operational amplifier’s (op amp’s) DC performance and an analog-to-digital converter’s (ADC) resolution and accuracy.

Additional time would then be required for circuit evaluation and prototyping. The WEBENCH Sensor Designer tool streamlines the sensor interface and data conversion design, allowing the engineer to focus on the other parts of the overall system. It matches the industry’s leading bridge pressure sensors, photo detector sensors and thermocouple sensors with National’s PowerWise energy-efficient op amps and pin- and function-compatible 8-, 10-, 12-, 14- and 16-bit ADCs.

The tool also allows users to order a customise evaluation kit for prototyping their simulated WEBENCH solution in the lab. Using the ‘Build It!’ option, designers can generate solutions they can use for evaluation and prototyping.

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