Current sensor IC eases assembly and boosts accuracy

28th January 2021

Melexis

Lanna Deamer

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Melexis has introduced the MLX91216 XHF extra high-field current sensor, extending the ease and accuracy of its unique IMC-Hall technology into high-current measurement for emerging automotive applications.

Capable of measuring current to beyond 2,000A, the MLX91216 XHF is suited to redundant monitoring of Battery-Management Systems (BMS), over-current detection in smart fuses, and measuring phase currents in traction inverters and boost/recuperation inverters. With user-programmable filtering to adjust resolution, response time, and bandwidth for optimum signal-to-noise ratio, the sensor features built-in diagnostics, including broken-wire detection.

The SOIC8 surface-mount device contains Melexis’ patented Integrated Magnetic Concentrator (IMC) that enables accurate contact-free measurement of busbar current in combination with a simple U-shape magnetic shield.

When mounted on a PCB, the sensor is positioned over the busbar, within the shield, allowing easier assembly than conventional Hall sensors. What differentiates the proven IMC-Hall technology from coreless solutions is that position is much less critical. The design can accept more mechanical movement because the measurement is not dependent on a magnetic field gradient.

Other technologies that are can result in very severe bus bar machining causing important thermal hot spots. On the other hand, IMC-Hall technology carries the advantages of coreless technologies, so it lends itself to smaller assemblies with surface mount package solutions. This avoids the use of more complex through-hole packages that often require specific lead bending/forming native to core based solutions.

The MLX91216 XHF extends the family of Melexis IMC-Hall sensors that provide accurate, high speed current measurement for a wide range of automotive and industrial applications.

MLX91216 High field (HF) versions: 200 to 600A

MLX91216 Very High Field (VHF) versions: 400 to 1,200A

MLX91216 eXtra High Field (XHF) versions: 800 to 2,000A

Available now, the MLX91216 XHF is AEC-Q100 Grade-0 qualified for automotive applications and operates over the temperature range -40°C to +150°C. The sensor has a wide measurement range from ±20 mT to ±350 mT with linearity down to ±0.2% full scale, 2μs response time, and high thermal stability with offset drift below 5mV and sensitivity drift within 1%.