Tessenderlo, Belgium, 6 May 2021 – Melexis, a global microelectronics engineering company, is targeting white goods, consumer electronics, and smart-metering applications with the MLX90392 three-axis magnetic field sensor, which can operate from a 1.8 V power rail shared with other components such as logic devices.
Requiring no dedicated LDO or regulator, the competitively priced MLX90392 simplifies design, trims bill-of-materials costs and saves PCB space. Measuring just 2 mm x 2.5 mm x 0.4 mm, the sensor features a UTDFN-8 ultra-thin no-lead 8-pin package to help designers tackle space-constrained applications. In addition, a 1.5 µA power-down mode helps save energy and thus maximize runtime in battery-powered applications.
With an integrated thermal sensor, and featuring I2C communication protocol, the MLX90392 places 16-bit position measurements in X, Y, Z axes, and temperature, onto the I2C bus operating at up to 1 MHz. Two variants are available, allowing a choice of ±50 mT and ±5 mT full-scale range, leveraging Melexis’ patented Triaxis® Hall technology to deliver low noise and best-in-class accuracy.
The ±50 mT range is optimal for position measurement in HMI applications, door-closure detection in white goods and access-control systems, anti-tamper for smart meters, and contactless joysticks that save the power dissipated by traditional position sensing with potentiometers. For position sensing which requires a small magnetic range, and for precise position measurement where noise is a critical design parameter, the ±5 mT variant has sensitivity of 0.15 µT/LSB and typical RMS noise down to 0.3 µT.
Both devices support single-measurement and continuous-measurement modes, giving outstanding design flexibility, while self-test status, data-ready, and magnetic sensor-overflow indication provide comprehensive diagnostics.
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.
Melexis is a world leader in automotive semiconductor sensors. Today, on average, every new car produced worldwide contains 13 Melexis chips. Melexis has used its core experience to expand its portfolio of sensors and driver ICs. Now they 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.
Melexis is headquartered in Belgium and employs over 1,500 people in 18 locations worldwide. The company is publicly traded on Euronext Brussels (MELE).
