Tessenderlo, Belgium, 20th October 2016 – Melexis, the global microelectronics company enabling future innovation through a philosophy of inspired engineering, continues to bring highly differentiated products to market through superior innovation, with the introduction of its MLX90819 sensor IC – which is targeted at measuring mid pressure (10-50bar) levels. Applying its proprietary micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology to an area that had not been previously adequately served by a fully integrated sensor solution means that major system design benefits can now be derived.
Available as a bare die, the MLX90819 runs off a standard 5V supply. It can be employed to accurately determine fluid pressure levels in wide variety of automotive and industrial focused applications. These include the monitoring of engine oil, transmission oil, engine coolant, vehicle fuel lines, air conditioning refrigerant and truck air brake pressures, just to mention a few. The IC delivers a relative pressure value. It has a 1ms response time, plus ±2.5% over life accuracy and ±0.2% linearity across its entire operational pressure range.
By using a more advanced process technology, the MLX90819 is unique in being able to leverage a microcontroller based architecture. This allows a much higher degree of sophistication to be incorporated onto the semiconductor die – with all digital processing, data conversion, temperature offset, gain compensation and filtering tasks being taken care of directly. A 16-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC), 12-bit digital-to-analog (DAC) and high performance 16-bit processor core are embedded directly into each sensor IC. The cost and complexity implications of discrete MEMS solutions, as well as the space utilization and sealing wear-and-tear issues that blight traditional non-MEMS solutions, can thereby be avoided. The IC can deliver either an analog signal or a single edge nibble transmission (SENT) output for applications requiring a digital output.
This robust IC is highly suited to both heavy duty industrial and automotive deployment, with full AECQ100 compliance and a specified temperature range of -40°C to 150°C. An automotive over-voltage protection mechanism is included in order to ensure ongoing reliability. An array of diagnostic features further support its long term operational integrity. These include analog output clamping level and broken track detection, plus numerous distinctive diagnostic messages passed via the SENT protocol (such as internal temperature or pressure errors, external over-voltage/under-voltage conditions, etc.) The MLX90819 sensor ICs will be shipped in a die-on-foil format.
“This new approach to mid-range pressure measurement will clearly be appealing to engineering teams, as it presents them with the sensor technology they need to reduce test/assembly effort, lower component counts and save valuable space,” comments Laurent Otte, Product Line Manager for Pressure Sensors at Melexis. “The streamlined nature of the MLX90819 greatly facilitates the sensor system’s mechanical integration into customers’ modules, as only a PCB with a limited number of external components will be required. There is thus considerable potential to scale down the dimensions of the module into which it is housed.”
For more information on MLX90819 please visit www.melexis.com/en/product/MLX90819/
About Melexis
Combining a passion for technology with truly inspired engineering, Melexis designs, develops and delivers innovative micro-electronic solutions that enable designers to turn ideas into applications that support the best imaginable future. The company’s advanced mixed-signal semiconductor sensor and actuator components address the challenges of integrating sensing, driving and communication into next-generation products and systems that improve safety, raise efficiency, support sustainability and enhance comfort.
A world leader in automotive semiconductor sensors, Melexis has used its core experience in creating chips for vehicle electronics to expand its portfolio of sensors, driver ICs and wireless devices to also meet the needs of smart appliances, home automation, industrial and medical applications. Melexis sensing solutions include magnetic sensors, MEMS sensors (pressure, TPMS, infrared), sensor interface ICs, optoelectronic single point and linear array sensors and Time of Flight. The company’s driver IC portfolio incorporates advanced DC & BLDC motor controllers, LED drivers and FET pre-driver ICs, while Melexis has the know-how and expertise to build bridges between components, allowing them to communicate in a clear and fast way, whether wired (e.g. LIN, SENT) or wireless (RKE, RFID).
Melexis is headquartered in Belgium and employs over 1,100 people in 19 locations worldwide. The company is publicly traded on Euronext Brussels (MELE).
For more information, visit www.melexis.com
