Stray-field-robust 3D position sensing for safety-critical systems
Rutronik supplies TDK Micronas HAL, HAC and HAR 39xy sensor families for precise automotive and industrial position measurement.
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Rutronik has added the HAL 39xy, HAC 39xy and HAR 39xy 3D position sensor families from TDK Micronas to its portfolio, addressing the need for accurate, stray-field-robust position measurement in safety-critical automotive and industrial applications.
Measurement challenges in modern control systems
Automotive and industrial control systems increasingly rely on precise position feedback under harsh electromagnetic and thermal conditions. Electrification, higher power densities and compact mechanical designs raise susceptibility to magnetic stray fields, while functional safety requirements impose strict constraints on sensor reliability and diagnostic coverage. Position sensors used in steering, powertrain, braking or industrial actuation must therefore combine accuracy, robustness and safety compliance.
3D Hall technology and monolithic integration
The HAL 39xy, HAC 39xy and HAR 39xy families are based on TDK Micronas’ 3D HAL® technology. Vertical and horizontal Hall plates are monolithically integrated into a CMOS process, reducing parasitic effects and enabling true three-dimensional magnetic field evaluation. This architecture supports both rotary and linear measurements while maintaining stable output in the presence of external magnetic interference.
Integrated stray-field compensation allows reliable operation even in demanding EMC environments, with robustness specified up to 4 kA/m.
Measurement range and interfaces
The sensor families support 360° angular measurements as well as linear displacements up to 35 mm. They operate over a wide supply voltage range from 3 V to 20 V, enabling use in both automotive and industrial power domains.
A broad set of output interfaces is available, including SPI, SENT, PWM, SPC, PSI5 and analog outputs, allowing integration into diverse electronic control unit (ECU) architectures. Multiple package options address different mechanical and environmental requirements: SOIC8 for HAL 39xy, TO92UF for HAC 39xy, and SSOP16 for HAR 39xy.
Functional safety and environmental suitability
All three families are designed with an ISO 26262 safety concept and are ASIL-C ready, making them suitable for safety-relevant vehicle functions. The specified operating temperature range from −40 °C to +150 °C supports deployment in powertrain, chassis and under-hood environments, as well as in industrial systems exposed to elevated thermal stress.
Design measures for ESD and EMC robustness further support reliable long-term operation.
Configuration flexibility and calibration
The devices incorporate programmable non-volatile memory, allowing customer-specific calibration during production. This enables adaptation to different magnetic configurations—rotary, linear, axial or radial—using the same sensor hardware. As a result, a single platform can be reused across multiple applications, reducing component variation and simplifying qualification compared with application-specific sensor designs.
Application scope
Typical use cases include steering angle sensing, pedal and actuator position feedback, transmission and clutch control, valve and boost-pressure actuators, EGR systems, fuel level sensing and brake stroke measurement. Beyond automotive systems, the combination of accuracy, stray-field immunity and configurable interfaces also supports high-precision industrial actuators and automation equipment.
By combining true 3D Hall sensing, high stray-field robustness and an ASIL-C-ready safety concept, the HAL 39xy, HAC 39xy and HAR 39xy families address key technical requirements for next-generation automotive and industrial position measurement systems.
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