Linear Hall sensor for safety-critical automotive torque-sensing applications

Melexis has released the MLX91377 ASIL-ready Hall sensor IC ideal for application in safety-critical automotive systems such as electric power-assisted steering.

With an ambient operating temperature up to 160C and uniting high linearity with outstanding thermal stability, including low offset and sensitivity drift, the device assists accurate, dependable torque sensing in EPAS systems to provide safe control in conventional and autonomous driving.

Developed as a Safety Element Out of Context (SEooC), the device complies with the ISO 26262 standard and is qualified to AEC Q-100 Grade 0. Supporting functional safety level ASIL-C in digital (SENT or SPC) mode and ASIL-B in analog mode, the device provides a high level of functional safety, per die, and can identify internal failures and enter a safe state to stop unintended vehicle behaviour. The available dual die TSSOP-16 package further extends this by providing two fully redundant dies to allow support for safety-critical applications such as steering and braking systems.

As well as functional-safety applications, the device serves an extensive assortment of automotive and industrial contactless position-sensing use cases including acceleration, brake, steering torque sensors, or clutch pedal sensors, float-level sensors, absolute linear position sensors, non-contacting potentiometers, small-angle position sensors and small stroke position sensors.