Versatile dual latch and switch for automotive and industrial applications

Melexis launches the MLX92352, a universal programmable three-axis latch and switch targeting relative position and speed sensing. It offers magnetic flexibility and pitch-independent dual outputs that may be set as speed, pulse or direction. With its excellent EMC and ESD performance, this stand-alone PCB-less device conserves space and entire module costs for automotive and industrial applications.

The MLX92351 (pre-programmed) and MLX92352 (programmable) are quadrature output devices providing accurate rotational speed and direction in motor systems. The 90-degree phase shift between the two outputs provides customers pitch and air gap independence, producing simplicity of magnetic design. The devices add extra flexibility by outputting any two-fold combination of X, Y and Z magnetic axes in speed, pulse, or direction. Customers may set independent magnetic thresholds from ±0.5mT up to ±40mT, receiving industry-leading magnetic accuracy.

The company's silicon-on-insulator technology facilitates superior performances for these magnetic latch and switch devices: 15kV HBM ESD, 8kV System ESD and high EMC robustness. This PCB-less solution saves space and cost. Single-component DC motor indexing designs are easy and simplify processes. The MLX92352 and MLX92351 operate from 2.7V up to 60V at a junction temperature of 175C. Last but not least, the last-state feedback function at start-up makes sure the motor system never misses a turn.

The versatility of the MLX92352 comes from its EEPROM programmability and freedom in setting any of the three axes to any output independently. Therefore, it is ideal for a large number of applications for linear speed and direction control (power liftgate, power module closures), incremental rotary encoding (cadence sensor for eBikes, fan and pump motor indexing), dual linear position detection (piston and levers) and angular position detection (knobs, jog wheel).

The MLX92351 is provided pre-programmed, while the MLX92352 offers end-of-line programmability to compensate for modules' mechanical tolerances in production. The devices are supplied in either a VA package (PCB-less) or an industry-standard TSOT package (SMD). An automotive version is AEC-Q100 qualified and supports ASIL system integration as per ISO 26262.

"The flexibility of our MLX92351 and MLX92352 is of clear value for many applications. By reusing one and the same solution across all their platforms, customers will not only complete their development faster but also reduce the engineering effort required," states Dieter Verstreken, global marketing manager, Position Sensors at Melexis. "The compactness of these magnetic sensors is another major plus point. It allows integration issues to be overcome. Due to their unmatched EMC and ESD performance, they are the only stand-alone switch device capable of handling a voltage range from 2.7 to 60V."