Maxim Integrated Products introduces the MAX9918/MAX9919/MAX9920, the newest members of its industry-leading portfolio of high-side current-sense amplifiers (CSAs). Designed for automotive applications, these CSAs have a wide input common-mode range (-20V to +75V) to protect against beyond-the-rails voltages. These robust devices are well suited for monitoring inductive loads, such as motors and solenoids, where common-mode voltages can become negative due to inductive kickback, reverse-battery conditions, or transient events.

The MAX9918/MAX9919 feature a ±400microvolt (max) input-offset voltage for precision monitoring, and the MAX9920 provides ±900microvolt (max).  The MAX9918/MAX9920 feature adjustable gain that is set by an external resistive-divider network, while the MAX9919 offers fixed gains of 45V/V or 90V/V. All three devices operate as unidirectional amplifiers when VREFIN = GND, and as bidirectional amplifiers when VREFIN = Vcc/2.

The MAX9918/MAX9919/MAX9920 are fully specified over the -40 degrees Celsius to +125 degrees Celsius automotive temperature range and are available in an 8-pin SO package. For improve design in cycle , an evaluation kit is available MAX9918EVKIT+.