Touchstone Semiconductor Announces Immediate Availability of Second-Source Maxim Analog Comparators

MILPITAS, CA - June 23, 2011 – Touchstone Semiconductor, Inc., a developer of high-performance analog integrated circuit solutions, today introduced its TSM9117-TSM9120 and TSM917 family of analog comparators plus reference. These low-power, single-supply comparators are pin-compatible, specification-identical, and functionally identical to Maxim Integrated Product’s MAX9117–MAX9120 and MAX917 low-power, single-supply comparators. These products are in stock and available to ship immediately.

Touchstone’s new TSM9117-TSM9120 and TSM917 comparator family provides manufacturers an assurance of supply they cannot achieve with hard-to-get sole sourced products. Manufacturers can use Touchstone’s devices in conjunction with the original source to ensure their product ships on schedule to their customers.

The TSM9117 and the TSM9118 are drop-in-replacements for the MAX9117 and MAX9118. They operate from a single +1.6V supply, have an internal 1.245V ±1.5% voltage reference and only draw 750nA of supply current.
The TSM9119 and the TSM9120 are drop-in-replacements for the MAX9119 and MAX9120. They are comparator only versions of the TSM9117 and the TSM9118 and consume less than 400nA of supply current.
The TSM917 is a drop-in-replacement for the MAX917 nanopower comparator. It operates from a single +1.8V supply, incorporates an internal 1.245V ±1.5% voltage reference, and consumes no more than 750nA of supply current.

All products have robust input stages (applied input voltage levels outside the supply rails) and rail-to-rail outputs. The design of the rail-to-rail output stage limits supply-current surges while switching. This architecture virtually eliminates supply current glitches typical of many other comparators and maintains low overall power consumption under dynamic conditions. The TSM9117, the TSM9119 and the TSM917 have push-pull output stages that sink and source current. In contrast, the TSM9118 and the TSM9120 have an open-drain output stage that can be connected beyond their VCC supply voltage rails, making them suitable choices in mixed-voltage system designs.

The combination of nanopower operation from two cells, rail-to-rail input/output voltage ranges, and small footprint makes these devices ideal for low-voltage, power-sensitive applications in portable products. These applications include telemetry and remote systems, medical instrumentation, battery monitoring/management as well as mobile and other hand-held communication devices.

The TSM9117-TSM9120 family is available in space-saving 5-pin SC70 packages. In addition, the TSM9117 and the TSM9120 are available in 8-pin SOIC packages. The TSM917 is offered in space-saving 5-pin SOT23 and 8-pin SOIC packages. TSM917 and TSM9117 prices start at $0.95 each in 1000 piece quantities. TSM9118-TSM9120 prices start at $0.66 each in 1,000 piece quantities. Products are available from Future Electronics, www.futureelectronics.com.

About Touchstone

Touchstone Semiconductor Inc. (www.touchstonesemi.com) creates high-performance analog IC solutions that solve critical problems for electronics companies. Touchstone's second-source products are pin-compatible, specification identical solutions, offering customers a long-awaited alternative source for hard to get sole-sourced products. Touchstone's proprietary products provide unique combinations of features and performance that cannot be found from any other supplier. Founded in 2010, Touchstone is headquartered in Milpitas, Calif.