ATAVRTEMPSENSORX Atmel, ATAVRTEMPSENSORX Datasheet - Page 3

• Manufacturer Part Number: ATAVRTEMPSENSORX
• Description: Temperature Sensor Development Tools Temp Sensor kit for Xplain Series
• Manufacturer: Atmel

Specifications of ATAVRTEMPSENSORX

• Rohs: yes
• Product Type: Temperature Sensor
• Tool Is For Evaluation Of: Atmel AVR Xplained series
• Interface Type: I2C, SMBus
• Maximum Operating Temperature: + 125 C
• Minimum Operating Temperature: - 40 C
• Factory Pack Quantity: 1

Why Do Applications Need a Temperature Sensor?
As electronic systems run faster they generate more heat, making temperature sensors more important
than ever. A temperature sensor allows the processor clock to be throttled back when the system exceeds
a preset limit to ensure product safety without utilizing a larger fan or heat sink, which may not be practical
in today’s increasingly compact designs. Furthermore, even if a fan can sufficiently maintain the system
temperature at the proper level, using a temperature sensor to slow down the fan speed whenever it does
not have to run at the top speed greatly prolongs the life of the fan.
Atmel Digital Temperature Sensors
Accurate, Complete and Easy to Use
Currently, the industry uses four major temperature­sensing technologies: Digital Temperature Sensor, Thermistor,
Resistance Temperature Device (RTD), and Thermocouple. While RTD and thermocouple are suitable for extreme
temperature conditions, most electronic systems can benefit from either a digital temperature sensor or a thermistor.
A digital temperature sensor is a complete, self­contained solution, while a thermistor requires the support of external
circuitry such as an analog­to­digital converter.
In terms of performance, digital temperature sensors offer superior accuracy, and they are calibration­free. In comparison,
thermistors require time­consuming calibration to achieve accurate measurement and thus add significant manufacturing
cost. Therefore, while at first glance a thermistor may have lower unit cost, a designer should consider the overall system
and manufacturing cost to properly evaluate the true costs of the two devices.
* Depends on an accurate external current source
Atmel Digital Temperature Sensors
Typical
Characteristics
Temperature Range
Accuracy
Sensitivity
Calibration Required
ADC Required
Unit Cost
System Cost
Low To Moderate
Temperature
-40°C to
Sensors
+125°C
Highest
Digital
Best
Low
No
No
World’s Most Versatile Temperature Sensing Solutions
Atmel Digital Temperature Sensors
Low to Moderate
Thermistors
-55°C to
Purpose
General
+125°C
High
Low
Yes
Yes
*
2 Point Calibration
Moderate To High
Temperature
Low To High
Resistance
-200°C to
+850°C
Device
Low
Yes
Yes
2 Point Calibration
Moderate To High
Moderate To High
Thermocouples
-270°C to
+2000°C
Medium
(TCs)
Yes
Yes
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