Toshiba has announced its latest technological innovation, the Thermoflagger temperature-detecting IC series, which aims to address the critical issue of temperature rises within electronic equipment.
A man checks the microphones next to a logo of Toshiba prior to a press conference at the company's headquarters in Tokyo on August 10, 2017. Toshiba, on August 10, met a looming deadline to report its long-delayed financial results, saying it lost around $8.8 billion in the last fiscal year over its hard-hit US nuclear unit Westinghouse Electric
First 2 Products for the Series
The two initial products in this series, namely "TCTH021BE" and "TCTH022BE," have been unveiled, offering distinct functionalities in detecting abnormal states and providing a latching function for the FLAG signal.
These ICs utilize positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors in a straightforward circuit configuration to monitor temperature changes effectively. Shipment of these products commenced on Monday, May 15.
PTC thermistors are electronic components that exhibit a change in resistance with variations in temperature. Unlike negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors, which decrease in resistance as temperature rises, PTC thermistors display an increase in resistance as temperature increases.
Maintaining optimal operating conditions for semiconductors and electronic components is vital to ensure the proper functioning of electronic devices. Temperature, in particular, plays a crucial role, as deviations from the designated parameters can lead to safety and reliability issues.
Detecting temperature rises promptly is essential to prevent overheating and mitigate potential risks.
The Thermoflagge ICs by Toshiba are designed to work in tandem with PTC thermistors, which exhibit resistance changes in response to temperature variations.
By monitoring the resistance value of a PTC thermistor situated near heat sources, these ICs can detect over-temperature conditions and emit FLAG signals as indicators.
Moreover, the capability to connect multiple PTC thermistors in series enables the detection of temperature changes at various points within the electronic equipment.
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Applications and Features
Toshiba's Thermoflagger ICs come in the compact SOT-553 package (also known as ESV), offering convenience and flexibility. With a low current consumption of approximately 11.3μA, these ICs contribute to minimizing power usage.
To facilitate integration, a reference design called "Over Temperature Detection IC Thermoflagger Application Circuit" has been made available, providing practical guidance for implementation.
These innovative ICs provide users with a simple and efficient means of implementing over-temperature detection across the entirety of an electronic product. This feature not only enhances safety but also enables reductions in size and power consumption.
Toshiba remains committed to advancing the Thermoflagger IC series, focusing on incorporating various functions to cater to diverse application requirements.
The Thermoflagger ICs find relevance across a wide range of applications, including mobile devices like laptop PCs, home appliances, and industrial equipment.
Their flexible configuration and PTC thermistors ensure comprehensive temperature monitoring at multiple points. With their small form factor and low power consumption, these ICs present an appealing solution for temperature management in electronic systems.
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