Aerospace

Unipolar Hall-Effect Switch Has Built-in Diagnostics

06 June 2016

Allegro MicroSystems, LLC has introduced a unipolar Hall-effect switch with an externally enabled diagnostic function and user-programmable switchpoints. Allegro’s A1162 has on-chip electromagnetic coils that are used to implement self-tests of the sensor’s entire magnetic and electrical signal chain. It is designed for systems where precise magnet switchpoints and safety, reliability, or both are critical, such as those designed to meet the requirements of ISO 26262.

Allegro’s?A1162?Hall-effect switch. Source: Allegro Microsystems Allegro’s?A1162?Hall-effect switch. Source: Allegro Microsystems

In normal operating mode, the A1162 functions as a standard unipolar Hall-effect switch. The device output transistor turns on (output signal switches low) in the presence of sufficient magnetic field (>BOP max). The output transistor of the A1162 switches off (output signal switches high) when the magnetic field is removed.

When the diagnostic feature is enabled, the output of the A1162 provides a square wave output that confirms the device is properly sensing the internally generated magnetic field.

Use of the A1162 either eliminates the need for redundant sensors in safety-critical applications or increases robustness in safety-critical applications that might otherwise require redundant sensors (drive-by-wire systems, and so forth).

This monolithic IC integrates a voltage regulator, Hall voltage generator, small-signal amplifier, chopper stabilization, Schmitt trigger and short-circuit-protected open-collector output able to sink up to 25 mA. The on-board regulator permits operation with supply voltages of 3.8 to 24 V. It is temperature-stable and stress-resistant, making it especially suited for operation in temperatures up to 150º C (L temperature range). Superior high-temperature performance is made possible through advanced dynamic offset cancellation techniques, which reduce the residual offset voltage normally caused by device overmolding, temperature dependencies and thermal stress.

The A1162 is available in an 8-pin eTSSOP package and is priced at $0.49 in quantities of 1,000.



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