Automotive-grade 3D Hall effect sensor offers contactless 3D sensing

Melexis has released the MLX90395 Triaxis Magnetometer Node, an automotive-grade (AEC-Q100) monolithic sensor that employs the Hall effect to give contactless sensing in three dimensions. The dual-die version of the device offers redundancy for demanding situations, such as gear lever position sensing in automotive applications.

The functionality of the device is determined through the system processor, rather than hardwired into the device. In terms of its applicability to position sensing, it has effectively unlimited scope.

The device provides both I2C and SPI interfaces, making it easy to integrate into an automotive or industrial control environment. Both medium-field (50mT) and high-field (120mT) versions are offered in three package options: SOIC-8, TSSOP-16 (dual-die for redundancy) and QFN-16 (with wettable flanks). All package options are qualified to AEC-Q100 covering the expansive temperature range from -40C to +125C and are RoHS compliant.

"The MLX90395 represents a new way of sensing position for the automotive and industrial markets, one that can redefine the way a wide number of applications are designed in HMI, top column, centre stack and body control," commented Nick Czarnecki, global marketing manager, Position Sensors at Melexis. "Its strengths lie in its high sensitivity and versatility, coupled with its low power and small size. Manufacturers now have access to the very best 3D magnetic node sensing solution qualified to an automotive-grade."