Programmable device detects objects for safer driving

Texas Instruments Inc. unveils the PGA450-Q1 fully integrated, programmable solution for driving ultrasonic transducers in object detection automotive applications such as park distance and blind-spot detection. Equipped with a configurable burst generator, low-noise amplifier and 12bit successive-approximation-register (SAR) ADC, the device processes the echo signals and calculates the distance between the transducer and the object. It also incorporates the PHY for LIN 2.1 communications for implementing needed communication protocols.

The PGA450-Q1 is an ASSP that displaces high-volume, discrete-based systems by offering the same functionality to any customer, reducing design-cycles and non-recurring engineering costs, and doing away with the need for intellectual property or market agreements. As a fully integrated SoC it includes all system blocks including regulators, dual NMOS low-side drivers, oscillator and a LIN 2.1 physical interface and protocol for interfacing to provide a cost- and space-optimized solution. It is programmable with highly configurable features, such as burst generator, low-noise amplifier, 12bit SAR ADC, digital band-pass filter, and digital signal envelope detect, allowing for full configurability to the customer's specific end application.

The PGA450Q1EVM is available to speed the evaluation of the PGA450-Q1. The evaluation module includes cables, GUI and example firmware to use with the included sensor.

The PGA450-Q1 comes in a TSSOP-28 package and is available now at a suggested retail price of $2.60 in 1,000-unit quantities. The PGA450Q1EVM is priced at $99.