ON Semiconductor has introduced the CAT2300 current mirror with switch controller, that when combined with the company's NTMFS4833NS or NTMFS4854NS SenseFET power MOSFETs, is suitable for current monitoring. This combination enables system level power management in applications such as portable computers and networking equipment. The current mirror is claimed to offer a single chip alternative to a discrete circuit approach and can provide sensorless precision current measurement of 0.9 to 5V power supply rails. It performs current mirroring to 70mA - which equates to 25A of measured current - and integrates logic level on/off control of the power MOSFET and its own circuitry, reducing power consumption to zero, says the company. Current consumption is claimed to be less than 1µA in shutdown mode supporting long life in battery-powered applications. The current mirror operates from -40 to +85ºC. The 30V, N-Channel power MOSFETs are claimed to combine low on-resistance, low capacitance, and low gate charge to minimise conduction, driver, and switching losses. They are rated at 26 and 24A, respectively. The current mirror is available in a lead-free, RoHS-compliant, 2x3mm TDFN-8 package. The MOSFETs are available in a lead-free, RoHS-compliant SO-8 flat lead package.
