Date: 13/12/2011

Magnetoresistive angle sensor with integrated amplifier IC from NXP

NXP Semiconductors N.V. has announced the KMZ60, a magnetoresistive angle sensor with integrated amplifier IC to use as control device for brushless DC motor (BLDC) commutation. The applications targeted by this device includes electronic power steering (EPS) or window wiper systems in cars and also to control BLDC motors in industrial applications.

IMS Research has estimated that 600 million BLDC motors will be used in traditional light vehicles by 2018 (excluding EVs/HEVs/PHEVs), three times as many as 2011's estimated 200 million units and an 8% gain in market share.

KMZ60 is designed to simplify the BLDC motor control and reduce the cost to make it popular in automotives. KMZ60 is designed to increase the overall speed of operation, which is vital for safety-critical applications such as steering angle measurement and window wiper application, claims NXP.

Drue Freeman, vice president global automotive sales and marketing, NXP Semiconductors, has said Modern vehicles have between 10 and 100 electric motors. By replacing traditional motors with brushless DC motors, car manufacturers can realize significant energy savings. The KMZ60 sensor is designed to save system costs and further boost the uptake of energy-efficient equipment. By using a true angular measurement, our magnetoresistive sensors operate reliably independent of magnet shifts and drifts due to lifetime, thermal influences or mechanical stress. This enables high-accuracy readouts even in the most demanding environments - such as the inside of a motor.

The KMZ60 sensor consists of two microchips within a single SO8 package, an angle sensor and an amplifier integrated circuit (IC) designed to deliver cosine and sine output signals related to the angle of the rotating magnetic field within a motor. A power-down mode is avaiable in the chip.

Key Features:
High precision sensor for magnetic angle measurement
Temperature coefficient compensated ratiometric output signals from -40 ? to 150 ?
Output voltage range is ratiometric related to the supply voltage
Automotive qualified

Availability: The KMZ60 is available now.