National Semiconductor introduced a digital temperature sensor that monitors automotive system temperature up to 175 degrees C and delivers +/- 1 degree C accuracy between 130 degrees C and 160 degrees C. The LM95172Q’s pinpoint accuracy at high temperatures permits lower system guard bands.

The LM95172Q is a 175 degrees C digital-output temperature sensor with a serial peripheral interface (SPI) and MICROWIRE bus interface. The LM95172Q is supplied in die form for mounting on hybrid circuit boards and offers temperature monitoring between -40 degrees C and 175 degrees C. The LM95172Q features a 16-bit sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter (ADC), fast conversion rate of 35 ms and high resolution of 0.008 degrees C/LSB. The device also includes a temperature switch as well as self diagnosis to ensure safe, continuous operation.

Pricing for the LM95172Q is $1.25 each in 1,000-unit quantities. The device is sampling now with production volumes available in the fourth quarter of 2008.