New sensor from Micronas uses proprietary 3D HAL^® technology for direct angle detection from 0° up to 360°

Micronas expands its HAL 36xy family for multidimensional magnetic field measurement in automotive applications

Freiburg, January 23, 2013 – Micronas (SIX Swiss Exchange: MASN), known and recognized in the automotive and industrial business as a global partner for intelligent, sensor-based system solutions, expands its HAL 36xy sensor family for multidimensional magnetic field measurement based on the 3D HAL technology by the new HAL 3675. This sensor family enables the measurement of magnetic fields in parallel to the chip surface by the use of vertical Hall plates.

Compared to conventional Hall sensors, which only allow measurements orthogonal to the sensor plane (Z axis), this technology enables the detection of an additional spatial component (X or Y axis). The combination of these two magnetic field vectors and the following signal processing make direct detections of rotation angles at the end or beside a turning shaft possible, as well as linear distance measurements up to ± 20 mm. In contrast to widely used Hall sensors, mechanical tolerances usually leading to air gap variations are compensated by the special measurement method of the 3D HAL technology. The vertical Hall plates of Micronas are produced in a standard CMOS process without any special postprocessing offering high quality products with high reliability – especially for the demanding Automotive market.

HAL 3675 offers direct angle detections from 0° up to 360° and – compared to its previous family members – delivers the angle value as pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) output signal. The integrated signal processing can be programmed by the customer for each of the two channels separately, e.g. regarding parameters sensitivity, offset, or phase. Thus, the HAL 3675 is suitable for applications, which require high reliability or high temperatures up to 165° C. Therefore, the HAL 3675 is the ideal solution for every kind of position and angle detection using flaps or valves in automotive applications. It can be used for throttle position measurement, exhaust gas recirculation, turbo charger, steering angle and many other applications.

The HAL 3675 is initially available in the SMD package SOIC8 and operates reliably over the junction temperature range of TJ = –40 °C up to +170 °C.

About sensor solutions from Micronas
Micronas today offers the world’s broadest range of Hall-effect sensors and pioneered Hall sensors in CMOS technology. The company was the first to market CMOS Hall sensors. This technology allows the integration of the Hall-effect sensing element with standard electronics devices such as amplifiers, logic circuits, and volatile or non-volatile memories.

Micronas’ expertise in Hall sensors combines perfectly with its CMOS and mixed-signal design resources to create accurate, intelligent sensors for a broad range of applications. The ever-increasing demand for energy-efficient and highly reliable machines means that demand for these smart sensors will continue to grow.

*License Note: HAL 36xy uses licenses of Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS.