The world’s first pico-resolver has the smallest footprint

Melexis has released the MLX90381 AEC-Q100/ISO 26262 compliant pico-resolver, providing ease of use and reliability to industrial and automotive applications. Its tiny DFN-6 (2mm x 2.5mm) package allows sensored mechatronic miniaturisation. This ASIL-ready solution is programmable at module level and is ideal for rotor position detection.

This 3D magnetic pico-resolver device combines the advantages of a small outline and reliable analog outputs offering sine and cosine signals.

Leveraging its’ unique Triaxis Hall technology, it is easy to use in rotor position detection. The device can be employed for absolute rotary position sensing and, leveraging its low latency and fast response, measures rotational speeds of more than 50,000rpm.

The pico-resolver improves the low-speed accuracy, noise performance and supporting stall detection. It can be employed with DC, BLDC and PMSM in applications such as e-valves and e-bike motors. It is also a good fit for automotive safety-related systems as it is AEC-Q100 and ISO 26262 compliant (ASIL B SEooC).

The device combines easily with the company’s family of smart embedded LIN drivers. These incorporate the MLX81330/32 (up to 10W) for directly driving flaps, valves, and single-coil fans and pumps. Also, it works with the MLX81340/44/46 pre-drivers (up to 2000W) which are included in power blowers, engine cooling fans, window lifters, pumps, seat adjusters and sunroofs.

Thanks to its selectable magnetic field axes (X/Y - X/Z - Z/Y), the device can handle on-axis position sensing and off-axis through-shaft sensing. The sensitivity and filter bandwidth of each axis may be programmed directly via the device’s I2C interface. A dedicated high sensitivity version of the pico-resolver enables further robustness against external magnetic stray fields.

The device is housed in a compact DFN-6 package. It only needs three external capacitors to complete the circuit.

“The MLX90381 pico-resolver is our most versatile and safe resolver with the smallest footprint available on the market,” says Dieter Verstreken, global marketing manager position sensors at Melexis. “When combining it with our family of LIN motor drivers, the result is a convenient Sense & Drive solution for actuation and position sensing. This helps our customers tackle a wide variety of challenges like miniaturisation, safety and programmability.”