TDK’s new automotive safety position sensors

December 02, 2023

TDK Corporation has expanded its Micronas 3D HAL® position sensor family with the introduction of the HAL 3930-4100 (single die) and HAR 3930-4100 (dual die) for automotive and industrial applications.

These precise Hall-effect position sensors offer robust stray-field compensation capabilities and flexible digital output interfaces in the form of PWM or SENT. The single die devices are defined as SEooC (Safety Element out of Context) ASIL C ready according to ISO 26262 and can be integrated in automotive safety-related systems up to ASIL D. The sensors are suitable for applications such as steering angle position detection, transmission position detection, shifter position detection, accelerator and brake pedal position detection. Production is set to begin in January 2024, with samples currently available upon request.

Both sensors offer user-configurable PWM or SENT output interfaces, enhancing adaptability. They also introduce a switch output with versatile high-/low-side switch configurations. The switch signal originates from calculated position data or other sources along the device’s signal path, such as temperature or magnetic-field amplitude. As ASIL C ready devices, HAL 3930-4100 and HAR 3930-4100 conduct self-tests when starting up and during regular operation to enhance reliability.

The HAR 3930-4100 is the dual-die version of the HAL 3930-4100, providing full redundancy. It is equipped with two independent dies stacked on top of each other, separated both mechanically and electrically. These two dies, while measuring nearly identical magnetic fields, ensure synchronized output signals. This redundancy design, housed within a single package, reduces system costs and elevates overall reliability. Smaller PCBs and fewer solder joints further bolster system dependability. The HAR 3930-4100 is available in a compact SSOP16 package, while the single-die variant is housed in a SOIC8 package.

HAL 3930-4100 and HAR 3930-4100 offer an extensive range of measurement capabilities, encompassing 360° angular measurements, linear movement tracking, and the provision of 3D position data for magnets. This 3D position information can be transmitted through SENT or two PWM outputs. The sensors also feature a modulo function, primarily tailored for chassis position sensor applications. This function facilitates the partitioning of the 360° measurement range into smaller, more precise segments like 90°, 120°, and 180°.

The on-chip signal processing functionality computes up to two angles from magnetic-field components, converting them into a digital output signal. This feature allows customers to fine-tune essential parameters such as gain, offset, reference position, and more through non-volatile memory programming, ensuring seamless alignment with their specific magnetic circuitry requirements.

TDK Corporation, based in Tokyo, Japan, was established in 1935 to commercialize ferrite, a key material in electronic and magnetic products. The company focuses on demanding markets in automotive, industrial and consumer electronics, and information and communication technology. In fiscal 2023, TDK posted total sales of USD 16.1 billion and employed about 103,000 people worldwide.