Ams introduces a new magnetic position sensor for automotive applications

     Ams AG introduces the first magnetic position sensor programmed by the automotive industry to meet the ISO26262 safety standard, expanding its range of sensors to meet the requirements of automotive safety standards. The new sensor family is also the first magnetic position sensor from AMS to be available in a system-level package. The space-saving package reduces system costs and sensor placement is no longer expensive, which has limited the development of PCB-based packages in the past.

     The new AS5170 and AS5171 sensors were developed as pre-qualified Safety Element Devices (SEooC) and comply with the ISO26262 Automotive Operating safety standard. It has always been the strategy of AMS to help customers meet the growing standards of automotive safety performance and to build highly secure vehicle systems. The AS517x is AMS 'first magnetic position sensor to provide full data path diagnostics, enabling automotive system Oems to meet the higher ISO26262 automotive safety standard.

     The diagnostic system in the AS517x series tests the entire device, from the front of the Hall sensor through the DSP engine, which converts raw measurements of the magnetic field strength into a sine and cosine vector, and finally back to the back-end interface and pins.

     The AS517x series sensors comply with AEC-Q100 Class 0 standards and accurately measure absolute rotation angles. Its high 12-bit output resolution enables accurate measurements and even angular offset down to a minimum of 90° arc. This means AMS products are ideal for a range of automotive applications that require high safety standards, including chassis height, gear shifts, electronic power steering, exhaust gas recirculation, and brake pedal and accelerator position sensing.

     The AS5171 is a system-level package that integrates the sensor wafer and capacitor into a single three-pin package. The system-level package provides improved ESD and EMC performance and enhanced power protection. The power supply and output pins are protected against overvoltages up to +20V. The power supply pin also provides reverse polarity protection of -20V.

     The SiP package eliminates the need to install a position-sensing integrated circuit on a printed circuit board. As a result, the number of components and system costs are reduced, and design and assembly into the final product is simpler. The AS5171A provides an analog output, while the AS5171B provides a digital output that can be programmed as a PWM interface or an interface that complies with the SENT standard. The analog AS5170A and digital AS5170B integrated circuits are packaged in 8-pin SOIC.

     Like other AMS magnetic position sensors, the AS5170 and AS5171 are free from stray magnetic fields and can operate even in electric motors producing strong magnetic fields, high-current-carrying cables and other external devices. Without the need for electromagnetic shielding required for other magnetic position sensors, the device not only provides highly reliable performance but also reduces system costs. The highly sensitive Hall sensor front end in the AS517x enables the use of small, low-cost magnets and supports a wide field strength input of 5-90mT.

     Marcel Urban, Head of Marketing and product Management for position Sensors at AMS, said: "The rigorous automotive functional safety compliance process requires the use of electronic components that can provide full transparency and complete traceability in performance and diagnostic output. "The new AS517x is the first family of magnetic position sensors from AMS to support this level of safety performance, providing automotive Oems with more complete functionality than ever before to meet the ISO26262 safety standard."