Ultra-sensitive Hall-effect switch with 3D omnipolar magnetic actuation

The Allegro MicroSystems A1266 Hall-effect switch is now available from Digi-Key. The novel A1266 is an ultra-sensitive Hall-effect switch with 3D omni-polar magnetic actuation based on vertical Hall sensor technology. It detects either magnetic pole in any orientation (X, Y, or Z). The omni-polar, omni-directional sensing capability is unique to the A1266 and makes this device ideal for applications such as proximity detection, tamper detection (consumer electronics and white goods), smart meters, ATMs, gaming machines, ticket machines and electronic locks. The A1266 has no direct competition, says the company. The legacy solution has been standard micropower Hall switches or reed switches, but these solutions cannot achieve true 3D sensing and are generally less sensitive overall. An array of at least three standard Hall switches in both surface-mount and through-hole packages would be required to duplicate the functionality of the A1266. Unlike MR devices that can sense in two directions, the A1266 has no upper limit on the applied field strength. It is a micro-power device, making it ideal for battery operated electronics. It will operate from a 2.5V to 5V supply, consuming only 7.5µA at 2.5V. Due to factory trimming and Allegro’s proprietary chopper stabilization / dynamic offset cancellation techniques, the electrical and magnetic characteristics of the A1266 are 'guaranteed' across the operating voltage, and temperature ranges, says the company.