3D-magnetometer optimised for battery-powered applications

Melexis offers the MLX90397, a three-dimensional magnetometer for cost-efficient position sensing. It provides a wide supply voltage (1.7V to 3.6V), ideal for battery-powered appliances for consumer and industrial applications.

The device is a 16-bit three-axis sensor with a magnetic field range reaching 50mT (with an adaptive range on the z-axis up to 200mT). The user can select the fields to measure among BX, BY, BZ, temperature or a combination. The sensing element relies on the Triaxis 3D Hall effect technology. Captured data are transferred into a digital form and then transmitted over an I2C interface.

The adaptive Bz field range up to 200mT facilitates customer designing with a back bias magnet (e.g. joystick) as it excludes the constraint on the saturation. Another benefit is the inclusion of a VddIO pin. It lets the customer set the output at a different voltage level than the main supply. This element bypasses placing extra level shifters to interface with the µC.

The device is provided in a compact surface-mount eight-pin UTDFN package, with a footprint of only 2mm x 2.5mm and a height of just 0.4mm. This makes the devices straightforward to integrate - even into highly space-constrained electronic designs. A supported operational temperature range of -40C to 105C permits the use in demanding industrial applications.

"The arrival of the MLX90397 completes our magnetometer portfolio to address micropower applications supplied from 1.8 V," explains Jerome Degois, marketing manager position sensor. "With outstanding SNR performances, it facilitates the designer's need to compromise between both noise characteristics and power consumption. The MLX90397 is the magnetometer optimised for battery-powered applications."

Among the most prominent applications are handheld power tools, gaming consoles, computer peripherals, home automation systems (window/door opening detection), energy metering (for anti-tampering purposes) and the controls of domestic appliances.