October 16, 2008: Micronas, a supplier of application-specific IC system solutions for automotive and consumer electronics, announced the HAL 880 programmable linear Hall-effect sensor, which uses digital technology to deliver superior sensor performance while offering a linear analog output for compatibility with existing sensor designs.

Based on building blocks proven in earlier Micronas Hall-effect sensors, HAL 880 allows system designers to reuse acquired know-how from previous designs with the HAL 8xy family and adopt this experience to their new designs. Thus, system designers can build custom-calibrated sensor assemblies at lower costs.

The device uses a DSP to perform sensor linearization and can compensate for the variations in the Hall effect due to operating temperature, magnetic field strength, magnet temperature, Hall-plate sensitivity, and offset voltage. Its output is a fully push-pull 12-bit ratiometric analog output with less than 25mV of noise.

In automotive applications, the HAL 880 can deliver the precision and accuracy for applications such as pedal position sensing, headlight-adjustment systems and other applications requiring linear or angular position sensing. With a junction temperature range of -40°C to +140°C, it is rugged enough for industrial as well. Hall-effect sensors are becoming more common in factory automation and consumer white-goods, contributing to increased energy efficiency in washing machines, dryers, and other large appliances.

“With the HAL 880, we have delivered the capabilities of high-end linear sensors at a price point competitive with non-programmable sensors in many applications,” says Peter Zimmermann, head of market management automotive at Micronas. “And it uses process technology and circuits already proven in automotive applications.”