Rohm Touts CMOS Op Amp for ‘Industry’s Lowest Operating Circuit Current’
In a move aimed squarely at the power-constrained edge of electronics, Rohm Semiconductor has released the TLR1901GXZ, a new CMOS op amp that delivers industry-leading low power consumption, high signal accuracy, and a footprint under 1 mm2. Designed for applications such as handheld meters, wearables, and motion detectors, the TLR1901GXZ (datasheet linked) is built for scenarios where every nanoamp and square millimeter matters.
The Rohm TLR1901GXZ, an ultra-compact CMOS op amp.
The standout claim here is a typical operating current of just 160 nA, a figure Rohm says is made possible by its proprietary Nano Energy technology, which combines advanced circuit design, layout optimization, and process refinements. For engineers interested in pushing the boundaries of battery life in miniature devices, this spec alone warrants a closer look.
Ultra-Low Power
Reducing operating current to sub-microamp levels can translate directly into years of additional battery life in coin cell or energy harvesting-powered systems. In sensor front ends, where amplifiers can sit in standby for long periods before bursting into activity, this ultra-low current profile minimizes parasitic drain without sacrificing readiness.
Typical application circuit of the TLR1901GXZ CMOS op amp.
What makes the TLR1901GXZ even more impressive is that it achieves this power performance without a major tradeoff in precision. The op amp features a maximum input offset voltage of 0.55 mV, approximately 45% lower than typical devices in this class, and a low temperature drift of 7 µV/°C, which helps ensure measurement integrity across wide temperature ranges.
Small, Scalable Format
Rohm has managed to squeeze this performance into a WLCSP package measuring 0.91 mm x 0.80 mm with a maximum height of 0.33 mm. The use of Wafer Level Chip Scale Packaging (WLCSP) allows the package dimensions to track the die size directly, enabling high-density mounting in ultra-compact designs, whether that’s inside a fitness tracker, wireless sensor, motion detector, or portable environmental monitor.
For designers aiming to pair this op amp with precision passive components, Rohm recommends its MCR004 and MCR006 resistor series, which offer 01005 and 0201 inch footprints, respectively. These tiny resistors, including lead-free “E” variants for sustainable designs, enable accurate gain setting without compromising board space.
Rohm Leverages In-House Nano Energy Tech
Key to the TLR1901GXZ’s performance is Rohm’s Nano Energy technology. Unlike general low-power op amps that focus on reducing quiescent current at the expense of noise or offset, Nano Energy is a holistic approach that spans device physics, layout, and analog IP. The result is not just lower current draw, but a design that retains full-swing I/O and wide 1.7 V to 5.5 V supply operation with accuracy.
Comparison of low-power op amp characteristics.
This makes the part highly suitable not only for wearables and portable instruments but also for IoT nodes and industrial sensors where energy efficiency and reliable signal fidelity are non-negotiable.
