Melexis Introduces the First Miniature Angle Encoder Chip with Smaller Dimensions

Melexis' new 3D magnetic angle encoder chip is optimized for reliable motor designs: small size, programmable at the module level, cost-effective, and ASIL compliant.

Tessenderlo, Belgium, July 1, 2022 - Melexis, a global microelectronics engineering company, announced the AEC-Q100/ISO 26262 compliant MLX90381 miniature angle today encoder chip to help improve ease of use and reliability in industrial and automotive applications. The angle encoder chip is available in a small DFN-6 package (2 mm × 2.5 mm in size), enabling the miniaturization of electromechanical systems with sensors. The solution is ASIL-compliant, programmable at the module level, and ideally suited for rotor position detection.

Melexis, a global microelectronics engineering company, introduces the MLX90381, a miniature 3D magnetic angle decoder chip that combines the advantages of compact size and reliable analog output with sine and cosine signals.

The MLX90381 utilizes Melexis' unique Triaxis® Hall technology for easy rotor position detection. The device can be used for absolute rotational position detection and can measure speeds above 50,000 rpm using its low latency and fast response characteristics.

The miniature angle decoder chip improves low-speed accuracy and noise performance and supports blocked rotation detection. The device is suitable for DC, brushless DC (BLDC), and permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) in applications such as electric valves and electric bicycle motors. The angle decoder chip is also compliant with AEC-Q100 and ISO 26262 (ASIL B SEooC) standards, making it ideal for automobile safety-related systems.

The MLX90381 can be easily paired with Melexis' family of intelligent embedded LIN driver chips. This includes the driver chip MLX81330/32 for direct drive of airfoils, valves, and single coil fans and pumps (up to 10 W). In addition, the devices can be paired with pre-driver chips MLX81340/44/46 (up to 2000 W) for applications in electric blowers, engine cooling fans, pumps, window lifters, seat regulators, and sunroofs.

Due to the selectable magnetic field axes (X/Y - X/Z - Z/Y), the MLX90381 enables on-axis position and off-axis axial pass detection. Each axis's sensitivity and filter bandwidth can be programmed directly via the device's I2C interface. A dedicated high-sensitivity version of this miniature angle decoder chip further suppresses interference from external stray magnetic fields.

The MLX90381 is available in a small DFN-6 package. Only three external capacitors are required to form a complete circuit.

"The miniature angle decoder chip MLX90381 offers the advantages of an extremely wide range of applications, extremely high safety, and small size in its class of market products." Dieter Verstreken, global marketing manager for position sensor chips at Melexis, said, "This device can be used with our LIN motor driver chip family to provide an easy-to-use sensing and driving solution for driving and position detection. This helps our customers meet the challenges of miniaturization, safety and programmability."