Tiny sine/cosine 3D position sensor offers superior performance

Allegro MicroSystems offers its new A33230 sine/cosine 3D Hall-effect position sensor IC. The device is claimed to be the smallest sine/cosine 3D sensor currently available. It provides system designers a cost-effective solution for automotive and industrial applications with a fast time to market.

The device comprises two discrete analogue signal paths for excellent high-speed performance, and the tiny SOT23-W package size makes it perfect for situations where PCB space is at a premium. The IC can also be employed as an angle sensor, provided the system includes an ECU competent in performing CORDIC calculations on the two outputs.

The device includes vertical and planar Hall-effect elements with sensing axes that are orthogonal to one another, providing 90 degrees of phase separation, independent of magnet pole spacing and air gap. It arrives pre-programmed to measure the angle in any plane (XY, XZ, or YZ) while offering independent sine and cosine outputs.

“With the ability to sense fields in X, Y and Z planes, Hall-effect sine/cosine sensors are reliable, proven options for many applications,” said Scott Milne, business unit director for Position and Angle Sensors at Allegro. “The introduction of the A33230 gives Allegro customers access to an expanded selection of position and angle sensors for automotive and industrial applications such as factory robotics, windshield wipers, in-cabin motors and more. It’s a cost-effective solution with a small footprint that makes it ideal for legacy applications where a designer needs to minimise PCB size or is looking for an opportunity to reduce BOM cost.”