Quickfilter Technologies Introduces Precision Single-channel Digital Filter

Quickfilter Technologies, Inc. (http://www.quickfiltertech.com) today announced the new QF1D512 Simple and versatile FIR (Finite Impulse Response) engine (SavFIRe) precision digital filter.


The QF1D512 SavFIRe chip allows system designers to quickly and easily add precision digital filtering to an application. The chip can simply be added between an existing analog to digital converter (ADC) and the host controller (microcontroller, microprocessor, digital signal processor or field programmable gate array), or can be connected as a co-processor device for controllers with embedded ADCs. Whereas Quickfilter’s previously introduced four-channel QF4A512 implements a complete analog interface, the QF1D512 offers a simple upgrade path for existing systems.

“The QF1D512 nicely complements our previously released QF4A512,” said Steve Brightman, Quickfilter’s Director of Marketing. “The QF4A512 features a complete analog interface including signal conditioning and ADC as well as digital filters. The SavFIRe approach allows our customers to implement precision digital filtering while retaining their existing analog front end and preferred ADC, or to add precision digital filtering to a system using a micro with embedded ADC.”
The QF1D512 is well suited to various industrial monitoring applications such as vibration sensing, flow measurement & leak detection, medical patient monitoring and diagnostics, seismic and sonar. The low power attributes also make it well suited to Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) applications.

The companion Development Kit (QF1D512-DK) allows the device to be configured to work with almost any ADC up to 24-bits, and a variety of precision filters can be quickly designed without the need to write code. The QF1D512-DK Development Kit includes the lastest version of the Quickfilter Pro software. Developed specifically for the QF1D512, this software version uses the same filter design engine as earlier versions and adds a more intuitive user interface for configuring the chip itself. The development hardware allows this configuration to be downloaded into the chip to verify filter performance. The board features an on-board ADC to allow operation “out of the box” and also provides the option for users to add their own preferred ADC(s) to match their end application. This type of flexibility is further extended to allow the development board to be connected to the user’s own host microcontroller allowing system development to proceed without the need for custom hardware.
The QF1D512 is packaged in a 3x3mm QFN package and is characterized over the industrial temperature range. It is priced at $2.98 in 1000 piece quantities.


About Quickfilter Technologies, Inc:

From Concept to Product in Minutes, not Days

Quickfilter Technologies, Inc. utilizes patent pending techniques for implementing programmable ICs that allow an engineer to design a custom circuit for signal processing without the cost and complexity of programming a DSP. Using the Quickfilter solutions, it is possible to create and begin operating custom filtering solutions in less than five minutes. Quickfilter’s products are ideally suited for sensors in industrial monitoring and control, medical equipment, homeland security, and engine control applications.

The Quickfilter solutions comprise chips featuring a hardware-based, programmable, precision Finite Impulse Response digital filter engine and a hardware/software development tool to quickly configure the chips for the user’s application. This enables customers to rapidly complete a design at significantly lower cost and higher performance. In addition, since the chips are readily reprogrammable, they can be reconfigured in circuit during design, at the time of shipment or in the field.

Quickfilter Technologies, Inc. is a private equity funded fabless semiconductor company founded in 2003 by Bob Silco and located in Allen, Texas. The company is developing a family of programmable mixed-signal integrated circuits that convert noisy analog signals into clean, usable digital signals.