Infineon Launches TLE4966V Vertical Dual-Hall Sensor For Rotation Direction and Speed Detection

Neubiberg, Germany – December 18, 2013 – As the market leader in automotive sensors, Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY) takes the next step in sensor product innovation and today announced the TLE4966V, a vertical dual-Hall sensor for detecting rotation direction and speed. The TLE4966V is the first dual-Hall device with its integrated Hall plates oriented vertically and not horizontally on the chip surface, thus making it sensitive to magnetic fields with in-plane direction. This 90-degree orientation change provides flexibility to fit designs into space-constrained areas.

The design flexibility and the 4mA to 7mA current consumption of the TLE4966V make it well-suited for energy-sensitive electronic automotive systems such as trunk lifts, power window lifts, sun roofs and seat adjustment. In non-automotive applications, the sensor is also an excellent solution for escalators, motorized window blinds and shades.

“With the new TLE4966V we expand our leadership in dual-Hall sensors,” says Ralf Bornefeld, Vice President and General Manager of the Sense and Control business at Infineon Technologies. “The sensor is a perfect extension of our TLE4966 family which set the industry standard in window lifter and other index counting applications. The implementation of vertical Hall plates enables our customer to realize new system designs and underlines our ability to think from product to system.”

The TLE4966 switch family is designed to detect the rotation direction and rotation speed of a magnetic pole wheel. The vertically integrated Hall plates in TLE4966V enable sensing of in-plane, instead of perpendicular, magnetic fields. Changing sensing orientation by 90 degrees allows system engineers to design new and previously unattainable mechanical concepts. This is especially valuable for space-restricted applications such as power window lifts and electronic trunk lifts.

Basic principles of speed and rotation detection sensing

Detecting the direction and speed of rotation of a magnetic pole wheel requires two separate Hall plates. Due to the distance between the two plates, they detect slightly different signals at any designated time. This is termed the phase difference. During a rotation direction change, the phase difference changes polarity. The TLE4966V detects this change and delivers a corresponding signal. The rotation speed of a magnetic pole wheel can directly be calculated with the second sensor output signal. This signal is triggered by each polarity change of the magnetic field.

TLE4966V simplifies PCB design and lowers test and manufacturing time

The two integrated vertical Hall plates on one silicon die within the TLE4966V have the same behavior for temperature and lifetime stress, with no sensitivity deviation over lifetime. Furthermore, the TLE4966V has two signal outputs: one signal for the magnet rotation direction, the other signal for the pole wheel rotation speed. That means that a single device delivers all relevant information where previously two sensors have been required. Eliminating a second, separately packaged sensor can simplify the PCB design, reduce sensor cost by an average of 30 percent and lower test and manufacturing time by up to 50 percent.

The TLE4966V performs on-chip signal processing, which offers three main advantages for the system designer: rapid sensor signal availability for fast applications, no microcontroller programming and no programming mistakes resulting in higher system quality. The TLE4966V sensor allows operation from an unregulated power supply, compatible with systems from 3.5V to 32V. It comes in a Thin Small Outline Package with 6 pins (TSOP-6).

Availability

TLE4966V samples are available now with production start planned for July 2014.

Further information

Infineon’s Hall switch sensor portfolio comprises unipolar and omnipolar switches and bipolar latches for a broad range of applications, such as BLDC motor control, position sensing and index counting. They are designed for low current consumption, excellent magnetic accuracy and robustness against electrical disturbances. Infineon’s Hall switches feature voltage interface (open drain), two wire current interface, double latch for speed and rotation direction detection. The sensors come in small SMD and slim leaded packages, providing high flexibility in design.

Further information on the sensor portfolio of Infineon is available at www.infineon.com/hall-switches. Information on the new vertical dual-Hall sensor TLE4966V is available at www.infineon.com/vertical-hall

Infineon Technologies AG, Neubiberg, Germany, offers semiconductor and system solutions addressing three central challenges to modern society: energy efficiency, mobility, and security. In the 2013 fiscal year (ending September 30), the Company reported sales of €3.84 billion with around 26,700 employees worldwide. Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX) and in the USA on the over-the-counter market OTCQX International Premier (ticker symbol: IFNNY).Further information is available at www.infineon.com