Triaxis®: Unique sensing solution
Triaxis® is an innovative magnetic sensor technology capable of very precise three axis magnetic field measurements from a single sensor. Endless linear, angular and 3D applications can be developed.
Traditional Hall sensors are only sensitive to the magnetic flux density perpendicular to the surface of the Hall element and consequently of the IC and package. These single-axis devices, despite enabling some applications, often require complex magnetic structures and face accuracy challenges especially over a wide temperature range (due to the thermal drift of the measured magnet).
Triaxis® sensors, on the other hand, are based on a patented innovative magnetic sensor technology that enables measurement of the three magnetic flux components (BX, BY and BZ) in a single integrated circuit. This is done by utilizing a unique Integrated Magnetic Concentrator (IMC). Using the three magnetic components, it is possible to create 2D or 3D sensors that determine rotary (angle), linear (stroke), or even joystick type motion as well as 3D-magnetometers that can output the individual magnetic (BX, BY, and BZ) components.
Strengths of Triaxis® sensors
Triaxis® sensors are small, capable of high-temperature operation and can support a wide variety of sensing applications by adjusting the on-chip magnetic angle computation. Since the angular computation is a relative measurement between two or three magnetic flux components, the measurement is robust to temperature variations but also to magnetic and mechanical (for example airgap, eccentricity) tolerances. With an additional calibration process performed after module assembly, excellent linearity and accuracy can be obtained thanks to the on-chip parameters (such as 4 up to 32-pts calibration). The high sensitivity and flexibility allows a wide range of magnet shapes (disc, rod, square...) and chemistry (ferrite, NeFeB, SmCo, AlNiCo…) to be used while still reaching a high accuracy.
- Enables a planar IC of 3D magnetic field measurement
- Bring mechanical flexibility, with mounting in almost any orientation
- High operating temperature
- Provide angle computation stability versus
- temperature variations
- magnetic tolerances
- mechanical tolerances
- Allows smaller and cost effective magnet to be used
Triaxis® sensors usage
Triaxis® sensor ICs are used in many areas starting with automotive but also medical, industrial, home and building automation.
In term of applications, for automotive position sensing you’ll find triaxis® sensors in steering angle, pedal position, electronic throttle body, EGR valve, shifter, turbo actuator, motor position, chassis height, and more. Beyond automotive, and to name a few applications only, Triaxis® supports innovation in agricultural vehicles and equipment, joysticks, human-machine interfaces, heavy-duty vehicles, forklifts, robots, wheelchairs, industrial cranes, and more.
Triaxis® is a unique and innovative magnetic sensor technology capable of very precise three axis magnetic field measurement from a single sensor.
Triaxis® facts & figures
Over 1 Billion Triaxis® in the field
In 2019, The 1 billionth Triaxis® position sensor was shipped
Triaxis® packages with SMD and PCB-less solutions
A variety of IC packages are available from the industry standard to Melexis advanced package solution.
SMD solutions | PCB-less solutions |
SOIC-8, single die | DMP-4, single die (Dual Mold Package) |
TSSOP-16, dual die | SMP-3, single die (Single Mold Package) |
QFN-16, single die | SMP-4, dual die (Single Mold Package) |
UTDFN-8, single die |
The DMP and SMP, PCB-less, are intended to be integrated without a PCB via a direct connection to the connector lead frame via welding or soldering which brings packaging, system cost, and reliability advantages.
Triaxis® strayfield immunity
With a stray field immune mode, sensor IC drastically reduces or eliminates the effect of stray fields from other magnets or current carrying conductors found in electrified vehicles and supports both on-axis rotary or linear motion with a four-pole or two-pole magnet, respectively.
This stray field immune mode reduces design constraints especially in electrified vehicles and meets OEM requirements for stray fields up to 4kA/m.
Triaxis® ASIL-ready up to ASIL-C per die
Melexis Triaxis® portfolio offers sensor ICs suitable for all Safety applications. As per ISO 26262, ICs solutions up to ASIL-C (SEooC) are available.
Triaxis® sensorsASIL-ready contains a suite of onboard diagnostics to ensure safe and correct operation. Melexis can provide additional supporting documentation (Safety Manual) to conduct the necessary safety analysis to ensure ASIL/ISO26262 requirements are met.
Triaxis® for harsh environments
Additionally, the 160°C operating temperature capability allows for use in actuators exposed to hot environments like a turbocharger wastegate while the enhanced linearization capability minimizes accuracy errors caused by tolerances in the mechanical assembly.
Triaxis® expertise
As we make the sensor easy to use, we also share technical background. Want to learn more about the stray field immunity feature of the third generation? Read these technical papers:
- A Gradiometric Magnetic Sensor System for Stray-Field-Immune Rotary Position Sensing in Harsh Environment by Samuel Huber, Jan-Willem Burssens, Nicolas Dupré, Olivier Dubrulle, Yves Bidaux, Gael Close, Christian Schott
- Experimental Demonstration of Stray-Field Immunity beyond 5 mT for an Automotive-Grade Rotary Position Sensor by Nicolas Dupré, Olivier Dubrulle, Samuel Huber, Jan-Willem Burssens, Christian Schott, Gael Close
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- Triaxis® selections guides