Compact, robust micro-machined solution with accurate sensor functionality, integrated signal processing and analog or SENT outputs is set to revolutionize sector.
Melexis continues to bring highly differentiated products to market through superior innovation, with the introduction of its MLX90819 sensor IC – which is targeted at measuring mid-pressure (10-50 bar) levels. Applying its proprietary micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology to an area that had not been previously adequately served by a fully integrated sensor solution means that major system design benefits can now be derived.
Available as a bare die, the MLX90819 runs off a standard 5 V supply. It can be employed to accurately determine fluid pressure levels in wide variety of automotive and industrial focused applications. These include the monitoring of engine oil, transmission oil, engine coolant, vehicle fuel lines, air conditioning refrigerant and truck air brake pressures, just to mention a few. The IC delivers a relative pressure value. It has a 1 ms response time, plus ±2.5% over life accuracy and ±0.2% linearity across its entire operational pressure range.
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| MLX90819 Block Diagram. |
By using a more advanced process technology, the MLX90819 is unique in being able to leverage a microcontroller based architecture. This allows a much higher degree of sophistication to be incorporated onto the semiconductor die – with all digital processing, data conversion, temperature offset, gain compensation and filtering tasks being taken care of directly. A 16-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC), 12-bit digital-to-analog (DAC) and high performance 16-bit processor core are embedded directly into each sensor IC. The cost and complexity implications of discrete MEMS solutions, as well as the space utilization and sealing wear-and- tear issues that blight traditional non-MEMS solutions, can thereby be avoided. The IC can deliver either an analog signal or a single edge nibble transmission (SENT) output for applications requiring a digital output.
This robust IC is highly suited to both heavy duty industrial and automotive deployment, with full AECQ100 compliance and a specified temperature range of –40 °C to 150 °C. An automotive over-voltage protection mechanism is included in order to ensure ongoing reliability. An array of diagnostic features further support its long term operational integrity. These include analog output clamping level and broken track detection, plus numerous distinctive diagnostic messages passed via the SENT protocol (such as internal temperature or pressure errors, external over-voltage/under-voltage conditions, etc.). The MLX90819 sensor ICs will be shipped in a die-on-foil format.
