Aliso Viejo, Calif. — Microsemi Corp. rolled out the first device in its new family of sensor interface integrated circuits (ICs) based on inductive sensing technology. The company claims the LX3301A as the first inductive sensor IC in the market using linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) architecture implementations on printed circuit boards (PCB), targeting automotive and industrial applications.
By using Microsemi’s inductive sensing technology, the LX3301A sensor interface IC features LVDT principles. The technology can also replace the incumbent magnet-based Hall-effect sensors currently used in the marketplace. The “magnet-based sensors are susceptible to external magnetic fields and/or metal objects in close proximity. Inductive technology eliminates the magnet, thereby improving immunity to such interference,” said Microsemi.
The new device can be used in a variety of applications related to control systems and industrial automation, specifically linear displacement measurement (fluid level sensing, gear position for transmission actuator position and brake lamp switch/proximity detection) and angular motion measurement (robotic arm position, rotating shaft position, pedal position and rotary controls). It also meets strict automotive application requirements, including AECQ100-certified grade 1, ISO26262 compliance and production part approval process (PPAP) documentation support.
Other features include:
- Contactless sensing (high reliability)
- Embedded 32-bit processing engine with 12kB program memory
- Two sensor input channels with integrated demodulator
- Internal oscillator with frequency range of 1 to 5 MHz
- Dual 13-bit ADC with sample rates to 2kHz
- User-programmable 16×16-bit non-volatile configuration memory
The LX33xx sensor IC family can be used with Microsemi’s motor drive reference design using the SmartFusion2 system-on chip (SoC) field programmable gate array (FPGA) and a motor control IP suite to process the sensor inputs and motor drive algorithms. The sensor inputs can be connected to the motor control evaluation board. For information, visit http://www.microsemi.com/applications/motor-control.
Availability: The LX3301A is available now.
