Robust A31316 IC enables flexible integration for non-contact precision position sensing
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. (“Allegro”) (Nasdaq: ALGM), a world leader in sensing and power solutions for motion control and energy efficiency systems, today introduced the A3 Hall Effect 31316D Position Sensor, the latest addition to to the company's 3DMAG™ line of sensors. Offered in the industry's smallest footprint, PCBless package, this new sensor is ideal for automotive security and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) applications that require high levels of flexibility and performance. Reliable in harsh conditions, such as powertrain and chassis applications, as well as industrial applications that require linear or rotary sensing.
Powertrain and chassis applications, passenger restraint systems, and gear shift systems are subjected to vibrations and environmental contaminants that can degrade their performance. Position sensors used in chassis and powertrain applications often require supporting components such as printed circuit boards and capacitors, and - when a position sensor is required in a dirty, high-vibration environment - mounting of the System components can be corrupted by dirt and vibration, which can inhibit overall performance. The same is true for many industrial linear and rotary sensing applications. Designers are challenged to fit robust designs within the allotted, dirty and vibration-heavy space.
The A3 31316D Hall Sensor eliminates the need for a PCB or other external components. This sensor integrates the die and capacitors into a single package to address the need for compact, high performance position sensors that are resistant to these environments. For vibration resistant designs, the pins of the A31316 can be soldered directly to connector profiles and can be over-molded or potted for a hermetic seal. These integration options greatly reduce the potential for contaminants and vibration to affect performance and can bring new design flexibility to spaces where mechanical vibration and contamination are potential issues.
Designed for long stroke linear and rotary applications, the A31316 maintains high angular accuracy across the entire Grade 0 temperature range (-40°C to 150°C). Its flexible calibration table (33 fixed points or 22 freely positioned points) allows for options that can reduce the time and complexity of end-of-line calibration and minimize errors due to mechanical misalignment. The A31316 contains advanced on-chip diagnostic functions to ensure reliable and safe operation.
“Vehicles are becoming more complex with each passing year, and the number of sensors required in modern security and ADAS applications is increasing rapidly. System designers look for options that are flexible and robust, and the A31316 fills that need,” says Scott Milne, director of Allegro's position sensor business line. “It is a great choice for safety critical applications such as gearshift and restraint systems, parking locks and inhibitor switches, or for tough applications such as transmissions and braking systems where heat and moisture can degrade performance. We are delighted to enable the next generation of vehicle safety systems with this technology."
The 3DMAG family of linear and rotary magnetic position sensor ICs for automotive and industrial applications combines Allegro's proven planar and vertical Hall effect technologies to measure magnetic field components along three axes ( X, Y, Z), allowing true 3D sensing capability with a wide magnetic dynamic range without clipping. The latest addition to Allegro's 3DMAG family of magnetic sensors, the A31316 is Allegro's first magnetic position sensor to provide multi-directional measurements in a PCB-less SIP package. The A31316 offers designers a configurable signal path and flexible linearization for end-of-line calibration to optimize measurement accuracy. The IC can compensate for nonlinear fields and static misalignment errors between the sensor and magnet, and its high degree of configurability makes it easy for designers to optimize calibration time and accuracy. This helps minimize processing in the electronic control unit (ECU) and maximizes end-of-line performance for non-ideal magnets and mechanical mounting tolerances. The multi-level output using binning can integrate the functions of multiple magnetic switch ICs into a single A31316.
Advanced functionality ensuring high performance
The A31316 integrates a Manchester interface for programming the EEPROM via the output pin, eliminating the need for a separate programming interface. Reliably stores factory and customer programmed calibration settings, with dedicated records for customer use. A high-voltage supply is not required for EEPROM programming, and the A31316 can be directly programmed with a 5V supply voltage, allowing integration with microcontrollers or other low-power devices.
The IC includes the industry's fastest SENT protocol with tick times from 0,5 µs to 10 µs, and includes a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) interface with a 125 Hz to 16 kHz carrier for a digital interface simple with microcontrollers.
Following the Safety Elements Out of Context (SEooC) functional safety guidelines, the A31316 sensor supports ASIL B system level integration, in accordance with ISO 26262, and is qualified for the automotive industry. according to the AEC-Q100 Grade 0 standard.
Prices and availability
The A31316 is available in a 31316-pin SIP package with no PCB (suffix UC). For pricing and product samples, contact an Allegro authorized sales office or distributor. For data sheets and more information on Allegro's complete family of magnetic position sensors, including the AXNUMX, please visit the Allegro website.
