Allegro MicroSystems, LLC has introduced a linear Hall-effect sensor IC that provides a 12-bit digital output word that is proportional to the strength of the magnetic field that is present. The quiescent output value of the A1454 is at mid-scale, and it comes in two different factory programmed sensitivity ranges: 2LSB/G and 4LSB/G. The sensitivity temperature coefficient is also factory programmed to support either neodymium or ferrite magnets. Allegro’s A1454 is targeted at the consumer, industrial and instrumentation markets with end applications to include non-life critical medical and consumer devices that require linear position sensing.
This new device incorporates an I²C interface for easy integration into a wide variety of applications. The I²C address can either be set by external resistors or programmed via EEPROM, to support up to 127 unique I²C addresses, allowing for multiple ICs on the same bus. It also includes 16 bytes of user programmable EEPROM. The A1454 I²C interface provides a user-controlled sleep input command that puts the device in micro-power mode, which reduces the current consumption of the A1454. This low power feature makes the A1454 perfect for portable, battery-operated applications.
The BiCMOS monolithic process allows the integration of both high precision analog and high-density digital circuitry. The A1454 integrates the Hall element, a 12-bit ADC, gain and offset compensation circuitry, EEPROM memory, and the I²C interface on a single monolithic IC. It is packaged in a space saving, 1 mm-thin, TSOP-8 surface mount package.
The A1454 is priced at $0.85 in quantities of 1,000.
