Inductive position sensor delivers high precision for harsh industrial and AMS applications

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. has released a new high-precision position sensor built on inductive technology for industrial and AMS applications. Compared to solutions based on magnetic technology, the Vishay MCB RAIK060 absolute inductive kit encoder provides a smaller thickness of 5mm, lighter weight of 15.5g, higher rotational speeds to 10.000rpm, and a lower latency time of ≤5μs. Also, the device is not sensitive to magnetic environments, permitting it to be used close to electrical motors.

The position sensor is excellent for robotics, motor drives, and other demanding industrial applications needing accurate positioning – including conveyor belt control and automated guided vehicles – and gimbal functionality for missile launchers and guidance systems. Design variants can be dedicated to actuator position control for drones and commercial, regional, and eVTOL aircraft. Also, the device will provide pitch and yaw position control in windmills; wheel position control in cleaning robots; and actuator position control in telecom antennas and medical X-ray machines and hospital beds.

For these applications, the device achieves >13-bit accuracy, 18-bit resolution, and ≥17-bit repeatability while maintaining robustness against external magnetic fields, moisture, airborne pollution, vibration, mechanical shock, and changes in temperature. Providing an off-axis design for hollow shaft mounting, the position sensor features a useful electrical angle of 360° and a wide temperature range of -40C to +105C. The device has a 60mm outside diameter and 25mm inner diameter and is available with multi-turn variants and SPI, SSI or Biss-C output signals.

Simplifying setup, the RAIK060's embedded self-calibration eradicates the necessity for external software, while its tolerance on airgaps up to ±0.2mm and inclusion of LED status indicators in its frame permit for easier mounting and assembly. For ease of use, the device memorises the last position before power-off, while its built-in self-monitoring delivers improved safety.