Coto Technology Debuts MEMS-Based Magnetic Reed Switch
May 3, 2013. Coto Technology Inc. has announced the availability of its RedRock RS-A-2515 microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based magnetic reed switch. Based on its high-aspect-ratio MEMS design and manufacturing processes, the switch provides the advantages of conventional magnetic reed switch technology, including zero power operation and high-power hot switching. Coto has married these features to the inherent benefits of MEMS-based design and manufacture, including item-to-item uniformity, robustness, and small size by using wafer level packaging (WLP). The resulting solution meets the requirements of applications in the medical, military, and industrial markets. The switch has a footprint of less than 2.1 mm2 (1.01 x 2.08 mm) and is 0.94 mm high.
The Coto Technology RS-A-2515 MEMS-based magnetic switch, the first of a new Coto Technology switch family, exhibits the high performance characteristics inherent in classical reed switches. These include closure sensitivity ranges from 5 to 25 millitesla, permitting operation up to 20 mm using a small NdFeB magnet. The switch has a release sensitivity of approximately 60% of the closure sensitivity. This high level of hysteresis minimizes the potential of sticking when the magnetic field is removed, adding to the switch’s reliability. The RS-A-2515 has a maximum switching voltage of 100 VDC with a switching current of 50 mA DC or 35 mA AC (RMS). The zero operating power is a critical advantage in power-sensitive applications, particularly those operating with battery power. Marrying these major performance advantages with the inherent benefits of batch processed MEMS technology, including wafer level hermetic packaging, low-cost manufacturability, and item-to-item reproducibility, provide advantages for its selection in demanding applications.
Bill Gotschewski, Coto Technology’s vice president of sales and marketing, said, “Our newly introduced RedRock MEMS-based switch further demonstrates the leadership position of Coto in the small signal switching business. This time we have taken a gigantic leap in adopting a unique technology—high aspect ratio MEMS—as the platform for migration of traditional magnetic reed switch solutions. We believe that the combination of our traditional magnetic reed switch technology with a MEMS platform will be an enabling vehicle for many high-performance applications that require extremely small switch size. I am gratified that we have been able to create a number of design wins with our RedRock switch to date and we are looking forward to collaborating with many other OEMs to enable them to create truly differentiated and successful applications for their products.”
The Coto Technology RedRock MEMS-based magnetic Reed switch RS-A-2515 is available from stock in evaluation quantities at the unit price of $29.95. Coto also provides an evaluation kit, RS-A-2515 EVAL. Available from stock, the kit sells for $49.95 in single-piece quantities.