New Hall Sensors Featuring PWM Output and Diagnostic Functionality (0016)
Micronas Expands further its broad Range of Hall Sensors
Freiburg, 21 November 2000 - Micronas (SWX: MASN, Neuer Markt Frankfurt: MNSN) has expanded its range of existing Hall sensors and switches for automotive applications with the new HAL 810 and HAL 815 types. Micronas has developed the HAL 8xx family of CMOS sensors as a contactless alterna-tive to existing potentiometers and mechanical switches to avoid problems with dirt and wear. This is especially important for automotive applications with high vibrations, high temperatures, changing supply voltages, and electromagnetic interference.
The new HAL 810 is a further development of the HAL 805 introduced earlier this year. In addition to the HAL 805 it features an 8 bit PWM (pulse wide modulator) output. This allows to reduce system costs because the receiving control unit can read out the signal without requiring an A/D converter. With this capability, the HAL 810 is one of the very few Hall sensors with PWM output allowing the customer to develop cost effective solutions.
The second new member of the family, the HAL815, features a new diagnostic functionality to make sure that the sensor can't deliver an invalid output signal - independent from supply voltage conditions. This makes the sensor very stable and avoids malfunctions. Even if the supply voltage is far above or below the specified voltage supply, the sensor reacts with an exceeded specification message. One example: In case an unauthorized person tries to repair the car and involuntarily connects the sensor to 12 V instead of 5 V, the HAL 815 sensor delivers a clearly defined signal telling the system that something is wrong with the supply voltage. Without this diagnostic function, most of the sensor types currently available are just destroyed by the overload. If the sensor has been destroyed, there is no guarantee that the system will get any signals. Even if the sensor survives the overload, it is not clear whether it will indicate any malfunctions. With the new HAL 815, Micronas meets the demand of the automotive industry: First, the sensor is protected against overload, second, if too high or too low voltages are applied, the sensor delivers a clearly defined signal indicating a voltage supply outside of specifications.
Micronas was the first company to implement active chopper compensation technique to eliminate piezo offsets which often occur after thermal cycling, overmolding, or potting the IC. The result is a very precise device that can function flawlessly over a wide temperature range with excellent long-term stability. Operating temperatures range from -40 to +150° C which meets the requirements for automotive applications.
Another important feature of the Micronas Hall sensors is the Total Compensation Of System Tolerances (TCOST). The on-chip EEPROM allows an automatic electronic inline adjustment of the sensor parameters in the customers manufacturing line, eliminating magnetic and mechanical tolerances of the customers assembly.
Micronas is currently offering the broadest range of Hall sensor types in the industry and the company is the world's leading manufacturer of Hall sensors based on submicron CMOS processes allowing the integration of the Hall plate (the specific sensor element), digital signal processing and EEPROM on one chip. With these technological capabilities, Micronas was the first company worldwide to introduce digital programmable Hall sensors to the market enabling the customers to save costs on logistics, qualification, and production. Programmability allows the sensors to be individually adjusted to different requirements and applications.
The new HAL sensors come in a leaded 3-pin TO-92 UT package. The HAL 815 is available in volume, the HAL 810 in sample quantities.