Date: 26/06/2012

Electronic sensor from NXP measures mechanical angle in IC engines

To help in controlling throttle in internal combustion engines of automotives, NXP Semiconductors N.V. has unveiled dual magnetic sensor code-named KMA220 to measure mechanical angle. This sensor operates in a simple disk magnet configuration with no need for a PCB or external components.

The KMA220 comes ready with calibration. It has three capacitors and two signal conditioning ICs along with the sensors.

NXP says to achieve redundancy in throttle applications, car manufacturers have previously had to install two single sensors on a leadframe or onto a PCB, bending them to fit - typically requiring an expensive ring magnet configuration to operate. With the dual KMA220 sensor, only one simple installation is required, suggests NXP.

NXP uses a manufacturing technology named ABCD9 to improve performance of sensor products integrated with application specific ICs. The KMA220 is also qualified according to the new HMM (Human Metal Model) with better electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection and EMC performance.

“Building on the success of the KMA210, the KMA220 is a new addition to our existing family of position sensors for the automotive industry and offers customers a package that they can’t get anywhere else,” explains Stephan zur Verth, vice president and general manager sensor business, NXP Semiconductors. “As a next step, we plan to release a single sensor product in the same package which means that our customers will be able to use the same assembly process for all applications, making it easy for them to choose and install the right solution for their products.”

NXP claims its automotive sensor family is exceptionally robust, capable of operating at temperatures of up to 160 degrees C, compared to the industry average of 150. This is vital for use in EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) applications, where every degree counts.

Availability and Pricing:

The KMX220 is available immediately. Indicative pricing is as follows:
$3.30 US in quantities of 10k pieces
$2.60 US in quantities of 100k pieces

Learn more at http://www.nxp.com/products/sensors/angular_sensors/KMA220.html