November 22, 2012, Seoul – Infineon Technologies (Korea Representative Director Seung-soo Lee) has launched next-generation Hall switches (TLE496x) and angle sensors (TLE5009 and TLE5012B) that support more energy-efficient and compact brushless DC (BLDC) motor drive designs. Compared to traditional brushed motors, BLDC motors offer improved efficiency, extended life cycles, more compact designs, lower noise, and enhanced reliability. Infineon’s new devices are precision, high-speed magnetic position sensors that support high resolution. Because these devices accurately detect the rotor position, they provide an ideal solution for current commutation in BLDC drives across a wide range of industrial and automotive applications, such as clutch actuators, window lifts, electric bicycles, washing machines, industrial fans, pumps, and automatic positioning systems.

Many drives require traditional block commutation, and the TLE496x Hall switch family offers benefits such as energy savings and precise, compact system designs. With a current dissipation of just 1.6mA, TLE496x devices can reduce energy consumption by up to 50% compared to similar products on the market. The space-saving SOT (Small Outline Transistor)-23 package requires only 22% less PCB space than the standard SC (Semiconductor)-59 package. The low magnetic hysteresis of the TLE496x family enables precise switching points within the system. Integrated circuits compensate for magnetic fluctuations to support stable performance across temperature and lifespan. The effects of signal path offset and mechanical stress on the hole element are compensated for through active chopping techniques.

Direct measurement of rotor angles can further enhance efficiency levels, while eliminating vibrations lowers noise levels and ensures more complete integration. Based on innovative iGMR (Integrated Giant Magnetic Resistive) technology, the new TLE5009 and TLE5012B angle sensor products enable motor control concepts that allow for easier energy savings. The angle sensors in the TLE5009 and TLE5012B series feature very rapid updates along with extremely low latency characteristics (9µs for the TLE5009 and 42µs for the TLE5012B). Consequently, high efficiency can be achieved even under conditions of high rotational speeds and load changes. Furthermore, the TLE5012B's integrated signal processing capabilities reduce the load on the microcontroller by performing accurate angle calculation and correction algorithms. The angle values provided by the TLE5012B can be used directly in the motor control loop.

Key Features of Hall Switches TLE4961 and TLE4968
The Hall switches TLE4961 (latch) and TLE 4968 (bipolar switch) can operate in the range of 3V to 32V via an uncontrolled supply voltage. Additionally, they can withstand voltages up to 42V without additional external resistors. They provide a high level of sensitivity and safety regarding the magnetic switching point (Bop = +/- 1mT and +/- 2mT) and offer very high immunity to mechanical stress due to the integrated error compensation function. The output is protected against overcurrent and overheating conditions and provides excellent immunity to electrostatic discharge (ESD) (+/- 7kV HBM). Under typical rate conditions, the jitter is 0.35µs. It is available in small leadless SOT-23 as well as lead SSO (Single Small Outline)-3 packages.

Key Features of Angle Sensors TLE5009 and TLE5012B
The TLE5009 and TLE5012B angle sensors measure the orientation of each package surface and the horizontal magnetic field over a range from 0° to 360°. The TLE5009 is a cost-effective solution featuring an analog interface and easy implementation, while the multifunctional, highly integrated TLE5012B provides data processing capabilities and various user-selectable interfaces. With an update rate of 42μs, the TLE5012B sets new standards regarding the combination of low latency and high signal resolution. Additionally, the TLE5012B supports 15-bit resolution and 1° accuracy across the entire angle range. For this reason, the TLE5012B is ideal for accurately recording rotor positions in highly dynamic applications such as robotics and electric power steering (EPS). To provide a high level of functional reliability, the TLE5012B sensor features enhanced self-test and condition monitoring capabilities, as well as specialized architectural features such as independent data paths for each of the two integrated Wheatstone sensor bridges. Both TLE5009 and TLE5012B operate under 3.3V or 5V supply voltage conditions and are available in a DSO (Dual Small Outline)-8 package.