Infineon Hall sensors eye automotive apps

Infineon Technologies AG has introduced a new family of Hall sensor ICs that feature high-precision unipolar or bipolar magnetic switching behavior and are designed for use in automobile applications.

The TLE49x6 ICs are designed for use as position and proximity switches in automotive subsystems such as seat adjusters, seatbelts, electric windows, and sunroofs. The sensors are claimed to be highly-resistant to electrical interference and mechanical stress. They also use an active error compensation to suppress the effect of offset components.

The family includes a 2-wire sensor with a current interface (TLE4976), a unipolar switch (TLE4906), a bipolar switch (TLE4946), and a double-Hall switch (TLE4966) with output pins for pulse speed and directional signals. The TLE4966 replaces two conventional Hall sensors, reducing the costs involved in mounting, signal guidance, and signal processing.

The Hall switches incorporate the Hall sensor cell, bias generator, compensating circuit, comparator, oscillator,and output transistor. The compensating circuits of the Hall switches balance out possible manufacturing process technology-related influences.