Integrated magnetic IC for closed-loop current sensing designs

Introduced as the industry’s first magnetic sensing integrated circuit (IC) with a fully-integrated fluxgate sensor and compensation coil driver, along with all the required signal conditioning circuitry - the DRV421 has been unveiled by Texas Instruments (TI). Complete integration enables the DRV421 to provide best-in-class sensor accuracy and linearity, high dynamic range, and simpler system design compared to traditional Hall-effect-based closed-loop sensors. With the DRV421, system designers will be able to more easily develop magnetic closed-loop current sensors for applications such as motor control, renewable energy, battery chargers and power monitoring. The DRV421 evaluation module (DRV421EVM) enables designers to quickly and easily evaluate the new current sensing IC’s features and performance. It is available for purchase for US$49 via the TI store and authorized distributors. In addition, SUMIDA CORPORATION has introduced the SC2912, a magnetic module that system designers can place on top of the DRV421 as a printed circuit board (PCB) component. This allows engineers to design universal platform solutions targeting a wide range of current levels while choosing the appropriate magnetic module for their specific use case. “The novel and intuitive approach of our DRV421 complementary module gives customers a new degree of freedom for a closed-loop sensor module,” said Mr. Seiji Shimizu, assistant manager of signal and power solutions for the Automotive and Industry Business Unit, SUMIDA. “The combination of our module technology and TI’s DRV421 gives customers an unprecedented level of accuracy, linearity, dynamic range, sensitivity and ease of use.” Support for the DRV421 is available in the TI E2E Community, where engineers can search for solutions, get help, share knowledge and solve problems with fellow engineers and TI experts. The DRV421 comes in a 4-mm-by-4-mm quad flat no-lead (QFN) package. Pre-production samples are available now, says the company. Sensors Expo, June 9-11, Long Beach, Calif, Booth 217.