Melexis Debuts Programmable Hall Effect Sensor
December 9, 2013. Melexis has announced a further addition to its customer-programmable Triaxis Hall-effect sensor IC portfolio. Targeted predominantly at use in electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and renewable-energy systems, the high-speed devices in the MLX91208 series each offer a response time of just 3 μs. Proprietary design elements result in stable accuracy level over both operational lifespan and temperature, with typical thermal sensitivity drift of ±150 ppm/°C.
The transfer characteristics of the MLX91208 devices are fully adjustable, with parameters such as sensitivity, gain, and offset capable of being readily stored on the built-in EEPROM memory. Calibration is done using the company’s own well established Programming Through Connector (PTC) protocol, where the supply voltage is modulated. As this dispenses with the need of an additional pin for programming, highly efficient production flows can be easily achieved.
Supporting an operational temperature range of -40°C to +150°C, the MLX91208 devices are suited to precision DC and AC current measurements up to 200-kHz frequencies. The sensors feature Melexis’ patented Triaxis technology, with industry-leading sensitivity that stems from the Integrated Magnetic Concentrator (IMC) layer deposited onto the semiconductor die. Current-sensing systems based on the MLX91208 series are expected to exhibit accuracy levels exceeding ±0.5% at room temperature or ±2% at the extremes of the specified temperature range.
Packaged in a standard SO-8 package, these ICs present engineers with the means to implement a compact, highly optimized current sensing solution that benefits from strong galvanic isolation. There are two versions: the MLX91208CAL having a large IMC layer for the detection of very low magnetic fields (100 mV/mT to 700 mV/mT) and MLX91208CAH aimed at detection of medium fields (50 mV/mT to 300 mV/mT). Among the key applications for these devices are battery current and motor current monitoring in automotive (HEV, EV, mild HEV, etc.) and renewable energy applications (such as solar power converters).