Microsemi Corp. has begun shipping its first device in a new family of sensor interface chips based on inductive sensing technology.
The semiconductor, the LX3301A, uses a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) architecture for implementation on printed circuit boards (PCBs) designed for automotive and industrial market applications. Sensors are key in the feedback loop of virtually all closed-loop systems, Microsemi says. In view of the LVDT technology, the new chip offers a better immunity to noise and interference ratio than current offerings, the company says.
Microsemi also says that the sensing technology can be used to replace the incumbent Hall-effect sensors that are used in the market, as these sensors use magnets that are susceptible to external magnetic fields and metal objects in close proximity. Inductive sensor technology eliminates the need for a magnet, thus improving the immunity to such interference.
As a result of this, the sensor can be used in control systems and industrial automation such as linear displacement measurement and angular motion measurement but also to meet strict automotive-grade applications.
The sensor includes an embedded 32-bit processing engine with 12 kB program memory, two sensor input channels with integrated demodulator, internal oscillator with frequency range of 1 to 5 MHz, dual 13-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with sample rates to 2 kHz and user-programmable 16x16-bit non-volatile configuration memory.
The LX3301A is available now.
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