Texas Instruments (TI) has introduced what it claims is the most sensitive in-plan Hall-effect switch that provides an alternative to magnetoresistive sensors.
Called the TMAG5134, the switch is designed for detecting magnetic fields as weak as 1 mT in applications like:
- Door and window sensors
- Personal electronics
- Home appliances
This level of sensitivity allows engineers to use smaller magnets to reduce system-level costs.
Why this is important, TI said, is because with traditional switches and tunnel magnetoresistive, anisotropic magnetoresistive or giant magnetoresistive sensors come at high costs and are harder to manufacture due to the use of specialized materials and fabrication techniques.
TI said Hall-effect technology eliminates the need for these special materials and manufacturing to reduce design costs and accelerate time to market.
“The electronics we interact with in our daily lives, from our laptops to our smart home systems, use sensors to help make decisions based on the world around them,” said Jason Cole, VP and GM of Sensing Products at TI. “For decades, TI’s sensing portfolio has enabled engineers to achieve greater accuracy, power efficiency and reliability in their designs. The TMAG5134 Hall-effect switch builds on these years of innovation, delivering a simplified, cost-effective solution that creates new possibilities for design engineers across industries.”
