From ensuring accurate dosing in medical devices to monitoring environmental systems and optimizing industrial processes, precision in fluid measurement is critical across industries. The NAFE13144 AFE empowers the next generation of calorimetric flow meters, offering enhanced reliability and performance for demanding applications.
As industries embrace digital transformation and edge AI, the demand for smarter, more accurate sensing grows. Calorimetric (thermal) flow meters—renowned for their ability to measure gas and liquid flow rates with exceptional sensitivity—are the heart of this evolution. By leveraging the NAFE13144 universal input analog front end (AFE), designers can create next-generation flow meters that are not only highly precise but also compact, configurable and ready for machine learning (ML) applications.
Calorimetric flow meters measure the flow rate of fluids by tracking heat transfer. Typically, these devices use two temperature sensors and a heating element. As fluid passes through the heater, it absorbs heat and the temperature difference between the upstream and downstream sensors reveals the flow rate. Because this method is especially effective for gases, it is widely used in industries such as chemical processing, HVAC, pharmaceuticals, semiconductor manufacturing and environmental monitoring.
This flow meter offers high sensitivity to low flow rates and features a compact design, making it ideal for integration into space-constrained systems. Its lack of moving parts reduces maintenance requirements, while its ability to directly measure mass flow ensures fast response under dynamic conditions. However, traditional calorimetric flow meters may be sensitive to changes in fluid properties, require regular calibration, and are best suited for clean fluids.
However, traditional calorimetric flow meters can be sensitive to changes in fluid properties, require regular calibration and are best suited for clean fluids.
NXP’s NAFE13144 addresses common challenges with a robust, software-configurable AFE that integrates high-resolution data converters, advanced signal conditioning and comprehensive diagnostics. Supporting four universal input channels and 16-bit resolution, the NAFE13144 interfaces seamlessly with a wide range of sensors—voltage, current, resistance, resistance, temperature detectors (RTDs) and thermocouples.
This device integrates programmable gain amplifiers and precision excitation sources, along with a sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter (ADC) featuring configurable digital filters to balance speed and accuracy. It supports a wide data rate range—from 7.5 samples per second (SPS) to 288 kilosamples per second (ksps)—and offers strong noise rejection for reliable signal acquisition. Built-in diagnostics, including fault detection, overtemperature protection, voltage monitoring, and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) error checking, enhance system reliability. An internal temperature sensor enables predictive maintenance, while flexible general-purpose input/output (GPIOs) support both digital and analog functions. Together, the device’s calibration and self-diagnostic capabilities, combined with versatile excitation sources, ensure accurate and stable measurements even in demanding industrial environments.
The device’s calibration and self-diagnostic system, along with versatile excitation sources, ensure accurate, stable measurements—even in demanding industrial environments.
Ready to accelerate your sensing solution? Explore NXP’s Universal Sensing Module —featuring both the AFE and MCX N947 MCU for rapid prototyping.
The NAFE13144’s architecture streamlines the design of calorimetric flow meters. For example, it enables precise RTD-based temperature sensing, compensates for wire resistance and supports a broad range of sensor types: PT1000, negative temperature coefficient (NTC) and positive temperature coefficient (PTC). Its large full-scale range and flexible gain settings reduce the need for external components, lowering bill of materials (BOM) costs and simplifying printed-circuit board (PCB) layout.
Designed for rugged use, the NAFE13144 offers ±7.5 kV electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, ±2 kV surge immunity and operates from -40 °C to +125 °C. Its compact 64-pin heat-enhanced very thin quad flat no-lead (HVQFN) package fits space-constrained designs.
To assist engineers in rapid prototyping, NXP offers evaluation kits such as the KITNAFE13388-EVB and the NAFE13388-UIM Arduino® Shield. These tools provide plug-and-play hardware, graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and reference software to accelerate development and enable rapid prototyping. The NAFE13388-UIM shield is part of NXP’s FRDM ecosystem that includes comprehensive software and tools, modular hardware and access to solution-driven examples.
Calorimetric flow meters are essential for precise, reliable fluid measurement for modern industrial applications. With NXP’s NAFE13144, designers can build advanced, AI-ready flow meters that deliver high accuracy, robust diagnostics and flexible integration—empowering smarter sensing for the future.
Alec is Marketing and Applications Director at NXP, managing Analog ASSPs for industrial applications. He has 20 years of experience in the semiconductor industry and has held various roles including Applications Engineer, Marketing Engineer, Business Manager, Director, and Executive Director. His technical experience spans the areas of RF, data conversion, and sensors. Alec holds a BSEE and an MSEE degree from the University of Texas at Austin.