Seoul, May 26, 2015 – Infineon Technologies (Korea Representative Director Seung-soo Lee) has launched the TLV493D-A1B6 3D magnetic sensor, featuring accurate 3D sensing and very low power consumption. Available in a small 6-pin TSOP package, the 3D magnetic sensor reliably measures 3D, linear, and rotational motion by detecting magnetic fields in the x, y, and z directions. It also provides a digital I2C interface, enabling rapid bidirectional communication between the sensor and the microcontroller.

The TLV493D-A1B6 is suitable for consumer and industrial applications requiring accurate three-dimensional or angle measurements and low power consumption (such as joysticks, control devices used in home appliances and multifunction knobs, and electronic meters (which can prevent unauthorized operation using 3D magnetic sensors)). The TLV493D-A1B6 enables non-contact position sensing and offers excellent magnetic threshold stability with respect to temperature, allowing these systems to be further miniaturized and achieve high accuracy and robustness.

“The miniaturized TLV493D-A1B6, which achieves high accuracy and robustness, enables the use of magnetic sensing in applications where it was previously unthinkable. The TLV493D-A1B6 is the first product in a new family of 3D magnetic sensors.” “In the second half of this year, we will add 3D sensor products for automotive applications such as gear stick or steering column control,” he said.

3D magnetic sensor enabling smaller and more energy-efficient e-meter systems

Today, to detect attempts at unauthorized tampering using large magnets, up to three magnetic sensors are required, one for each dimension of the external magnetic field. However, by using the 3D magnetic sensor TLV493D-A1B6, which replaces all three-dimensional sensors, it is now possible to further miniaturize e-meters (electronic meters) and save energy.

Features of TLV493D-A1B6

The 3D sensor TLV493D-A1B6 can detect all three dimensions of a magnetic field. By utilizing a lateral Hall plate in the z-direction and vertical Hall plates in the x and y directions, this sensor enables a wide magnetic field range of +/- 150 mT (millitesla) across all three dimensions. Therefore, it can measure long magnetic movements. The wide operating range also facilitates magnetic circuit design and enhances robustness and flexibility.

The TLV493D-A1B6 provides 12-bit data resolution in each measurement direction, enabling high data resolution of 0.098 mT (LSB) per bit, so even very small magnetic movements can be measured.

One of the key development goals of the TLV493D-A1B6 sensor is to reduce power consumption. Therefore, the TLV493D-A1B6 requires only 7 nanoampere power current when switched to “power-down mode.” To perform magnetic measurements, this sensor can be set to one of five power modes. In “ultra-low power mode,” the sensor performs magnetic measurements every 100 milliseconds (10 Hz) and consumes 10 microamperes of current. The measurement cycle interval can be flexibly set according to system requirements. Even the maximum power consumption when performing continuous measurements using the sensor is only 3.7 milliamperes. The power mode can also be changed during operation.

The TLV493D-A1B6 communicates with an external microcontroller using the standard I2C digital protocol. The sensor can operate in bus mode without requiring additional wiring costs or work.

The TLV493D-A1B6 for industrial and consumer applications operates with a power supply voltage of 2.7V to 3.5V and a temperature range of -40°C to 125°C, and meets industrial standard JESD47.

Development support

For a rapid design-in process, Infineon offers the “3D Magnetic 2Go” evaluation board. When used with free 3D sensor software, magnetic measurements can be performed within minutes. This evaluation board is equipped with Infineon’s 32-bit microcontroller XMC1100, which features an ARM® Cortex®-M0 processor.

supply

We are currently supplying the “3D Magnetic 2Go” evaluation board (www.ehitex.com). Engineering samples of the TLV493D-A1B6 for consumer and industrial applications have been available since June 2015, and mass production will begin in January 2016. For automotive market customers, we plan to conduct comprehensive AEC-Q100 verification on the sensor. Mass production of the automotive-grade TLE493D-A1B6 is scheduled to begin in mid-2016.

More information about Infineon 3D magnetic sensor products can be found at www.infineon.com/3Dmagnetic.