New Industry Products

Dual Output Differential Speed and Direction Sensor IC

April 29, 2014 by Jeff Shepard

Allegro MicroSystems, LLC has added a unique dual-output sensor solution that provides a single IC to rotational position sensing applications with a ferrous gear target. Providing a single IC allows for uncomplicated mechanical design and installation and provides the capability to sense much smaller or higher resolution teeth for added accuracy. Allegro's ATS605 is targeted at the automotive, industrial, white goods and commercial markets with end applications to include industrial motor control (forklifts, robotics, rotational gearing), electric motor position and sliding door/long-travel bi-directional sensing.

Three Hall elements are used to create two independent differential channels. These channels are processed by the IC which contains a sophisticated digital circuit designed to eliminate the detrimental effects of magnet and system offsets. Hall differential signals are used to produce a highly accurate speed output and, if desired, provide information on the direction of rotation.

Advanced calibration techniques are used to optimize signal offset and amplitude. This calibration, combined with the digital tracking of the signal, results in accurate switch-points over air gap, and temperature. The open-drain outputs provide voltage output signals which mirror the sensed target’s shape, with a phase separation between the two channels proportionate to the size of the target teeth vs. the Hall element spacing.

Allegro’s ATS605 speed and direction sensor IC is available in a 4-lead SIP package (suffix SG). The SG package incorporates a rare earth pellet for ease of manufacturing, consistent performance over temperature, and enhanced reliability. Pricing for 1,000 pieces is $3.06 for the ATS605LSGTN-S-T, ATS605LSGTN-S-H-T, and ATS605LSGTN-F-T.