Melexis Unveils Advanced Sensor Technology for High-Current Measurements
Melexis has launched the MLX91216 XHF, an extra high-field current sensor that extends the precision and convenience of its IMC-Hall technology for high-current measurements in new automotive applications. This sensor can measure currents beyond 2kA, making it ideal for tasks like redundant monitoring of battery-management systems, over-current detection in smart fuses, and measuring phase currents in traction inverters, as well as in boost and recuperation inverters. Users can program the sensor to adjust filtering, response time, and bandwidth to achieve the best signal-to-noise ratio. It also includes built-in diagnostics, such as broken-wire detection.
The sensor is a surface-mount device housed in an SOIC-8 package and features Melexis’ patented integrated magnetic concentrator (IMC). This allows it to measure busbar current accurately in a contact-free manner when used with a simple U-shaped magnetic shield. When the sensor is mounted on a PCB within this shield, it makes assembly easier compared to traditional Hall sensors.
One standout feature of the IMC-Hall technology is its robustness against positional changes, unlike coreless alternatives that require precise positioning due to their dependency on magnetic field gradients. IMC-Hall technology reduces the need for severe busbar machining, which can create thermal hot spots.
In addition, IMC-Hall technology offers the benefits of coreless designs, allowing for smaller assemblies using surface-mount packages. This eliminates the need for more complicated through-hole packages that require specific lead bending and forming, as is common with core-based options.
The MLX91216 XHF sensor is now available and qualified to AEC-Q100 grade-0 standards for automotive applications. It operates across a temperature range of -40 to +150˚C and features a measurement range of ±20 to ±350mT, with linearity down to ±0.2% of the full scale. It also boasts a fast response time of 2μs and high thermal stability, with offset drift below 5mV and sensitivity drift within 1%.
