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This section provides an overview for analog front end (afe) as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 4 analog front end (afe) manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked analog front end (afe) companies as of December, 2024: 1.Analog Devices, Inc., 2.STMicroelectronics, 3.Elmos Semiconductor SE.
Table of Contents
An analog front end (AFE) is a set of analog circuits that connects a device that detects signals, such as a sensor, to a device that processes digital signals.
It is sometimes called an AFE from the initial letters of "analog front end." AFE is sometimes called a "signal conditioning circuit" because its main role is to adjust the analog signal output from a sensor in order to connect it to a digital circuit.
Since analog signals detected by sensors and other devices are very weak and often contain many noise components, it is necessary to adjust these analog signals by removing noise, amplifying, and so on.
An analog front end (AFE) is used to control various sensor modules.
The current era is often referred to as the IoT era, and among the many sensor modules, IoT sensor modules play an important role in the IoT era. The basic system configuration is to detect physical phenomena as analog values using sensors, convert them to digital signals, process them digitally using a microcontroller, and then upload them to the cloud using a wireless communication chip.
In this configuration, the AFE plays an important role along with the sensor and wireless communication chip, and in order to improve the performance of the IoT sensor module, it is necessary to design the AFE appropriately so that digital processing can be performed while extracting as much of the sensor's characteristics as possible.
The principle of the AFE is based on various circuit innovations to connect the analog information of the sensor output value with the digital circuit accurately. Specifically, since general sensor outputs are noisy and the signals themselves are weak, it is necessary to use filters and amplifiers for noise reduction and signal amplification. The necessary circuits are integrated in an AFE and then combined with an A/D converter for converting analog signals to digital values.
The A/D converter is generally of the delta-sigma modulation type, and the circuit scale is usually from 16 to 32 bits, depending on the amount of data to be handled. Amplifier circuits include instrumentation amplifiers, operational amplifiers, and trans-impedance amplifiers, which have several switching functions and gain adjustment functions to adjust a wide range of sensor signals.
The AFE itself must operate with digital circuits for serial communication control such as SPI, and digital circuits for serial interface are also provided for this purpose.
Semiconductor chips are often high performance, and AFE includes discrete products with a high degree of freedom, as well as integrated products that integrate many functions. Multiple integrated functions are relatively easy to use.
Highly integrated AFE chips are also available in the market, such as those that integrate analog front ends into pressure sensors, temperature sensors, and other high-performance products. Amplifiers, A/D converters, and other components are integrated into a single chip, which has functions such as adjusting the characteristics of the AFE section and current source according to the characteristics of the sensor element. The reason for this is that sensor elements generally have various output variations depending on temperature and intensity. The compensation function is also a very important characteristic for AFE.
In addition, there are a wide variety of analog front ends for optical sensors, including those that are integrated with optical elements and available as a package, and those that do not include optical elements and only provide AFE functions, allowing the user to select the optical elements freely, to be connected.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Incorporated in 1965, Analog Devices, Inc. designs, manufactures, tests, and markets integrated circuits (ICs), software, and subsystems that leverage analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing technologies. The company provides data converter products, power management and reference products for power conversion, driver monitoring, sequencing, and energy management applications in the automotive, communications, industrial, and high-end consumer markets. In addition, the company provides digital signal processing and system products for high-speed numeric calculations. It serves clients in the industrial, automotive, consumer, instrumentation, aerospace, and communications markets.
LAPIS Technology, founded in Japan, in 2020 is a manufacturer of Microcontroller, Video LSI, and Speech Synthesis LSI. The company's product portfolio includes Wireless LSI, Wireless Charging LSI, Display Driver, Li-ion Battery Monitoring LSI and displays that are used in TV sets, PC monitors, vehicles and industrial monitors. The company serves markets including Automotive and Electric Vehicles, Renewable Energy and Energy Storage and Electronics and IT Infrastructure. The company provides services such as Product Selection Guidance, Engineering Support, and Custom Manufacturing.
Elmos Semiconductor AG, established in 1984, is a German manufacturer of integrated, application-specific microelectronic circuits for the automotive industry. The company offers sensor ICs, power management ICs, motor control ICs, and interface ICs and sensors for various applications, such as ADAS & safety, body & convenience, infotainment, lighting, and powertrain, and also serves non-automotive markets, such as smart home and industrial automation. They have their own research & development, testing, and production facilities, as well as global sales and distribution network. It aims to create microelectronics-based solutions to enhance the lives of people and shape future mobility.
ST Micro Electronics is a global semiconductor company serving customers with innovations to have a positive impact on people's lives. Their product line is micro electronic systems, such as switches, controllers, sensors and drivers. The main selling point of ST Micro Electronics is its provision of sustainable products, and introducing their electronics to create a more sustainable world. The company, as well as providing the electronic devices, also provides software and support, ensuring that all fields are covered to provide a fully provide a supported and strong relationship with their customer base. ST Micro Electronics believe that technology plays a key role in helping to solve environmental and social challenges, which is why their semiconductor technologies start with their employees, their customers and partners.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Analog Devices, Inc. |
43.1%
|
| 2 | STMicroelectronics |
27.5%
|
| 3 | Elmos Semiconductor SE |
19.6%
|
| 4 | LAPIS Technology |
9.8%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the analog front end (afe) page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
1 | 33.3% |
|
Japan
|
1 | 33.3% |
|
Germany
|
1 | 33.3% |
26 products found
26 products
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 20 hours ago
Standard Response
The R5601 is an analog front-end IC that uses a high-voltage CMOS process and can support up to 5 cells of Li-ion/Li-polymer secondary batteries. B...
Omega Wave
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 20 hours ago
Very Fast Response
The data processing devices OMEGALAB and OMEGAWORX are devices that import measured values output as analog voltages, display measured waveforms ...
Omega Wave
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 10 hours ago
Very Fast Response
The data processing devices OMEGALAB and OMEGAWORX are devices that import measured values output as analog voltages, display measured waveforms ...
Omega Wave
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 5 hours ago
Very Fast Response
Computer-based data recorder for personal use 4 channels (CH) of +/- 10V analog voltage input to display measured waveforms and voltage values o...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
50+ people viewing
Last viewed: 23 hours ago
Standard Response
■Summary RS5C372 is a CMOS real-time clock that sends time and calendar data to the CPU via serial transfer. Connection with the CPU is made using ...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 12 minutes ago
Standard Response
■Summary R2221 is a 2-wire serial interface (I2C bus) real-time clock IC. Connection with the host is made using two signal lines (SCL, SDA). 6 typ...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
50+ people viewing
Last viewed: 2 minutes ago
Standard Response
■Summary NA2100 is a small voltage frequency converter manufactured using CMOS process. Operates from a single power supply up to 5.25V. The NA2100...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
50+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 hour ago
Standard Response
■Summary RV5C386A is a CMOS real-time clock IC that sends time and calendar data to the host via serial transfer. Connection with the CPU is made u...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
70+ people viewing
Last viewed: 35 minutes ago
Standard Response
■Summary NA2200 is a 5V compatible high gain PGA built-in AFE that uses a CMOS process and has a built-in PGA (Programmable Gain Amplifier) of up...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 7 hours ago
Standard Response
■Summary R2023 is a 2-wire serial interface (I2C bus) real-time clock IC. Connection with the host is made using two signal lines (SCL, SDA). 6 typ...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 11 hours ago
Standard Response
■Summary NA2201 is a digital earth leakage detection IC with overvoltage detection/DC detection using CMOS process. The analog signal obtained from...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
Standard Response
■Summary R2262 is a CMOS IC that has a regular real-time clock function plus a backup switching circuit and voltage detector. Connection with the h...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
50+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
Standard Response
■Summary NA2202/2203/2204 has a built-in 16/20/24-bit ΔΣ type A/D converter of 3.125sps to 9.6ksps and PGA with maximum gain of 128x using C-MOS pr...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
80+ people viewing
Last viewed: 59 minutes ago
Standard Response
■Summary NA2202/2203/2204 has a built-in 16/20/24-bit ΔΣ type A/D converter of 3.125sps to 9.6ksps and PGA with maximum gain of 128x using C-MOS pr...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
50+ people viewing
Last viewed: 35 minutes ago
Standard Response
■Summary NA2202/2203/2204 has a built-in 16/20/24-bit ΔΣ type A/D converter of 3.125sps to 9.6ksps and PGA with maximum gain of 128x using C-MOS pr...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
60+ people viewing
Last viewed: 48 minutes ago
Standard Response
■Summary NJU9101 is an IC suitable for low power consumption sensor applications such as electrochemical sensors. We provide signal processing solu...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
50+ people viewing
Last viewed: 21 hours ago
Standard Response
■Summary NJU9102/A is a digital earth leakage detection IC for earth leakage circuit breakers. The analog signal obtained from the ZCT (zero-phase ...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
50+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
Standard Response
■Summary NJU9102/A is a digital earth leakage detection IC for earth leakage circuit breakers. The analog signal obtained from the ZCT (zero-phase ...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
60+ people viewing
Last viewed: 3 hours ago
Standard Response
■Summary NJU9103 is a low-pin AFE with a built-in PGA (Programmable Gain Amplifier) of up to 512 times. Built-in 16-bit ΔΣ type A/D converter wit...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
70+ people viewing
Last viewed: 7 hours ago
Standard Response
■Summary RV5C387A is a CMOS real-time clock IC that sends time and calendar data to the host through serial transfer. Connection with the CPU is ma...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
50+ people viewing
Last viewed: 18 minutes ago
Standard Response
■Summary Rx5C338A is a CMOS real-time clock IC that sends time and calendar data to the host through serial transfer. Connection with the CPU is ma...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
60+ people viewing
Last viewed: 9 hours ago
Standard Response
■Summary R2223 is a 2-wire serial interface (I2C bus) real-time clock IC. Connection with the host is made using two signal lines (SCL, SDA). 6 typ...
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 15 hours ago
Standard Response
■Summary R2051 is a CMOS IC that has a regular real-time clock function plus a backup switching circuit and voltage detector. Connection with the h...
Candox Systems Co., Ltd.
20+ people viewing
Last viewed: 16 hours ago
■Summary ・Custom (special order) available up to ~60GHz ・Network analyzer front end ・For measuring transmission characteristics of various minia...
Candox Systems Co., Ltd.
10+ people viewing
Last viewed: 18 hours ago
■Summary ・Smaller sizes such as 1,109 size or less can also be manufactured. ・Secure up to 3GHz with a tiny spring probe ・Proven up to ~8GHz ・C...
Easy Measure Co., Ltd.
80+ people viewing
Last viewed: 16 hours ago
■Summary ・Number of channels: 8 channels, 8 levels of frequency and 4 levels of amplifier gain can be switched for each channel. In addition, oper...
