High-sensitivity magneto-resistive sensors for industrial, medical and white goods

The newest additions to Honeywell's line of magneto-resistive technologies feature highly-sensitive sensor integrated circuits (ICs), which offer design engineers more flexibility for creating a range of industrial, medical and white goods devices. The Standard Power Series - which includes four new sensor ICs - offers a sensitivity of 11 Gauss max, making the sensors among the most highly sensitive in their class for standard power applications. This creates larger air gaps between the sensor IC and the magnet and allows engineers to decrease the total cost of their designs by using smaller, less expensive magnets. In addition to high sensitivity, the Standard Power Series Sensor ICs also feature a solid-state, non-contact, no-glass design that makes them durable and reliable. Their supply voltage range (3VDC - 24VDC), omni-polar operation, various package options and wide operating temperature range -40C to 85C simplify the design-in processes for wired applications. Potential applications include everything from flow sensing in HVAC and anti-tamper detection in utility meters, to RPM sensing in exercise equipment and door position detection. "Market conditions and a greater demand for more-compact devices have many engineers looking for alternative components that simplify their designs without straining budgets," said Joshua Edberg, director of packaged sensors, Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions. "The new Standard Power Series Sensor ICs provide strong alternatives to Hall-effect ICs at a time when rare earth magnet prices are high. They also are solid alternatives to reed switch