Magnetic Position Sensing

Heinz Oyrer, Senior Manager Global Marketing

April 2014

Confidential ams AG 2014

ams overview
At a glance
Focus on high performance analog semiconductors
Sensor solutions, sensor interfaces, power management, wireless
Ultra-low power, highest accuracy, sensitivity and integration
Analog IDM: world class design + in-house manufacturing
By the numbers
350+ analog engineers
Over 30 years of design experience
Revenues 2013 378m ($ 502m)
More than 1,400 employees worldwide
Over 7,800 customers worldwide

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Our focus
Shaping the world with sensor solutions.

High performance analog ICs

Target markets

Consumer and Communications

Core expertise

Sensor and sensor

interfaces

Industrial, Medical, & Automotive

Power
management

Wireless

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What are position sensors?

Position sensors measure the distance a body has moved from its
reference and the resulting output is given as a feedback to the
control system.
Motion of a body can be rectilinear or curvilinear; accordingly,
position sensors are called linear position sensors or angular
position sensors.
Position sensors use different sensing principles to sense the
displacement of a body. Depending on these different sensing
principles they can be classified contacting or non-contacting
position sensors.
Contacting sensors measure linear or angular position through a
mechanical connection whereas non-contacting position sensors
measure the linear or angular position of an object without any
physical contact.

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What are position sensors?

Non-contacting position sensors are highly reliable and offer a

long functional life due to the absence of mechanical parts and
physical contact.
Magnetic sensors use:
The Hall effect to determine position, angle, or displacement
The anisotropic magneto resistive effect or a magnetically
actuated reed switch to detect magnetic fields generated by a
reference magnet.
Hall Effect based Magnetic Position Sensors - A Hall effect
sensor is a transducer that varies its output voltage in response to a
magnetic field. Hall effect sensors are used for sensing proximity
switching, positioning, speed detection and current.

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Why hall-based magnetic position sensing?

Emergence of contactless and integrated

magnetic position sensors
Traditional sensors are replaced by
contactless sensors that handle complex
and highly integrated electronics
delivering higher sensitivity, smaller form
factors and increased flexibility
Strong trend is going from simple angle and
distance sensors towards robust, intelligent
sensor systems and applications with
multiple simultaneous measurement axes
Tackling the shortcomings of optical,
magneto resistive, inductive and linear Hall
sensors and switches
No wear, insensitive to humidity, dust, dirt
and harsh environments
Solutions offer enhanced precision,
repeatability, and robustness in addition to
stray field immunity.
Confidential ams AG 2014
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Position sensing by technology

Source: Intechno 2012
Market split 2018

CAGR position sensing technology 2013 - 2018

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Hall Effect-based magnetic position sensors

Angle position

3D position

Linear position

Linear position

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How does it work?

Hall-based magnetic position sensing

a * sin( a)
= tan(a)
a * cos( a)

a * sin( a)

a * cos( a)

a = arctan

vertical magnetic
field Bz
characteristics

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ams patented differential principle (1D/Bz)

Hall-based magnetic position sensing

A group of Hall Sensors is arranged in a

circular on-chip array, ~2mm
Opposite Hall Sensors are combined by
differential amplification
The Sin- and Cos- Signals are digitized by
two parallel ADCs
Subsequent digital filtering reduces noise
The CORDIC algorithm converts Sine and
Cosine signals into Angle and Magnitude
Magnitude information is used in a closed
loop system to compensate to temperature,
magnet strength and environmental
variations
Closed loop system compensate through the
AGC changes in temperature, magnet
strength and air-gap.

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Stray field immunity

ams patented differential principle
external magnetic stray field

1
2
4

ams patented Differential Principle provides

stray field immunity against homogeneous
external magnetic stray fields
Other sources of electrical disturbance can
poses challenges i.e. over-voltage pulses/
power supply micro interruptions
All ams magnetic position sensors can stand
external magnetic stray field above the limits
required by the most demanding OEMs.
Measurements show that at 1000A/m, which
is the maximum stress limit. ams do not
show any output voltage drift over the 360
degree.

Confidential ams AG 2014

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Serviceable market size

Magnetic position sensing
By Product

By Segment
700
Market size (SAM) in MEUR

Market size (SAM) in MEUR

700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
2014

Rotative motor control

500
400
300
200
100
0

2013

600

2015

2016

Angle position

2017

2018

2013

Linear position

Position measurement incl.

Angle position

Linear position (linear, off-axis, 3D)

Motor (motion) control means motor commutation (rotative
360degr)
Source: Frost & Sullivan, INTECHNO, Strategic Analytics,
iSupply, ams MPS Marketing

2014
AUT

2015
IND

2016

2017

2018

CON

SAM targets integrated sensor IC solutions (excluding hall

switches, inductive, potentiometer, optical)
Source: Frost & Sullivan, INTECHNO, Strategic Analytics,
iSupply, ams MPS Marketing

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Focus market segments

Steering (45m/15%)
Pedals (29m/27%)
Transmission (46m/30%)

Automotive (162m/24%)
Throttle (13m/18%)
Chassis (9m/24%)

Magnetic
Position Sensing
(256m/18%)

Others (19m/24%)
Robotics (8m/7%)

Industrial (56m/6%)

Factory Automation (18m/7%)

Building Automation (15m/4%)
Home Appliances (34m/6%)

Consumer (38m/5%)
Office Automation (19m/2%)

2013, million , CAGR 2013-2018 in %

Confidential ams AG 2014
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Trends in The automotive market

Need for Contactless Technologies
Silicon magnetic sensors are displacing other types of sensors i.e.
inductive sensors and potentiometer technology, increased need for
precision & safety (i.e. ISO26262)
Improvements in Reliability & Precision
Powertrain hybridization, more electronics in the car, the need for
higher reliability in transmission applications, higher precision in
powertrain applications e. g. start/stop systems
Lower CO2 emissions requirements
Better sensor performance & higher resolution, steering
applications with reduced standby current and a smart
measurement on demand
Cost reduction
Sensors with new digital interfaces i.e. SENT replace sensors with
traditional analog output, enhanced robustness/diagnostic, cost
reductions for the entire signal chain
Increased use of brush-less (BLDC) motors
Brushless DC motors offer major advantages including higher
efficiency at converting electricity into mechanical power, reduced
noise, longer lifetime and higher reliability.
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Magnetic Strayfield immunity E-Mobility Market

Magnetic Sensing
Global Passenger Vehicles / Light Vehicles Engine Production
More than 30% of the vehicles worldwide will have an electrified powertrain
Continental, 48V eco Hybrid Systems 2013

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Role of magnetic position sensors in automotive

Enhancing engine efficiency, vehicle safety

Driver safety and comfort
Helping car manufacturers comply with new standards for carbon
emission and reduced power consumption
Supporting the trend towards electric motors
Guaranteeing reliability over the entire life span of the vehicle
Ensuring robustness & overall system reliability which are essential
in meeting customer demands

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Selected automotive applications

Exhaust gas
recirculation sensor
(EGR)

Automatic-manual (AMT) /
Dual-clutch transmission
(DCT)

Throttle
Steering
Column
Chassis
level

Electronic
Power Steering (EPS)
Pedals
Gearbox /
Gearshifter

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Automotive application examples

AS5403B for gear selection, shift Link @Japanese customer

AS5132 for DCT BLDC motor control @Korean customer
AS5145 for EPS BLDC motor control @Korean customer
AS5162 for chassis level @German customer
AS5403A for clutch pedal @German customer
AS5132 for DCT BLDC motor control @Japanese customer
AS5132 for DCT BLDC motor control @German customer
AS5262 and AS5162 for EGR/Throttle @Italian customer
AS5162 for tumble @US customer
AS5262 for acceleration pedal @US customer
AS5403A for park brake @US customer

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Market segments - industrial

Magnetic Position Sensors

TIER
Motor+Encoder
Manufacturer

Encoder
Manufacturer

OEM

System
Integrator

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Drivers for the motor market

Government regulations worldwide require the industry to implement new efficiency classes
IE1, IE2, IE3, to reduce CO2
(higher efficiency means better motor control)
Cost pressures to reduce the number of gearboxes by increasing the torque of the motor - no
gearbox means lower motor speed direct drive
The market is changing from BLDC (brushless) to PMSM (permanent magnet synchron motor)
resulting in an increased need for position sensors
E-Motor market is growing 40% from 2012 to 2017

IE International Efficiency

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ams key differentiators

Magnetic position sensing

We offer domain knowledge and technology resources, along with a close working
relationship, to develop and deliver a broad portfolio of custom-engineered and standard magnetic
position sensor solutions
Best-in-class stray field immunity, making shielding unnecessary
No wear, insensitive to humidity, dust, dirt and harsh environments
Ultra-high precision to ensure system reliability
Broad portfolio of magnetic sensing solutions including solutions for Linear sensing, on-axis
rotary sensing, off-axis rotary sensing and BLDC motor control.
Meeting the stringent demands of safety critical applications; own (automotive qualified Fab)
Comprehensive customer support (pre & post design)

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Key for success

Magnetic Position Sensing

Strayfield
immunity

ISO26262
capability

Functional
safety

Hardwired logic
vs. firmware

Interfaces
flexibility

Versatile power
supply

Stacked die
package design

Long strokes

Usability easyto-use

Simplification,
easy to program

Lower intrinsic
error

Sensitivity wide
dynamic range

Lead times

Support & Tools

New products

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Steering applications

Throttle

Exhaust gas
recirculation
sensor (EGR)

Automaticmanual (AMT) /
Dual-clutch
transmission
(DCT)

Steering
Column
Chassis
level

Electronic
Power Steering (EPS)
Pedals
Gearbox /
Gearshifter

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EPS covers all car segments now

Steering system ECUs are growing faster

than any other vehicle Domain 8.5%
CAAGR global 2007-2017
Electric Power Steering Dominates the
Steering Market
EPS outperforms other markets in growth

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Steering sensors in EPS

In general EPS systems consist of three
different sensors:
1.

The steering wheel position sensor derives

the absolute position of the steering wheel.

2.

The steering torque sensor converts torque

applied to the steering wheel by the driver
into an electrical signal for processing.

3.

The motor position sensor controls the

commutation of a brushless DC motor
employed in the system.

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Magnetic hall effect sensing in EPS

Magnetic Hall Effect sensing are now the

leading solution for automobile EPS systems
that have greater operational effectiveness.

Sophisticated sensor devices with multiple

sensing elements on a single die enable
faster and more accurate acquisition of
information required by the EPS system.

Precise position of the automobile's steering

wheel, improved performance of its EPS
system while keeping costs and required
space to a minimum.

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Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) + Motor Control (MC)

Usual approach

ams innovative
approach

Difference

Savings thru
ams approach

IC

2x (SAS)
1x (MC) (alternative
dual die)

1x (dual die)

1-2x

33-50%

Systems

3x magnets
2x gear
2x brackets
2x PCB

1x magnets
0x gear
1x bracket
1x PCB

2x magnets
2x gear
1x bracket
1x PCB

67%
100%
50%
50%

The AS5235 combines in one chip the steering wheel position

sensor and the motor position sensor.

ams innovative solution is a driver for reducing system costs while

meeting state-of-the-art performance and safety requirements.

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Commitment to Quality & Safety

Hall-based Magnetic Position Sensing
Zero-Defect Philosophy/Culture

AEC-Q100 automotive qualication, "Safe Launch Program, "BurnIn" and "Three-Temperature" testing procedure

Functional Safety is an integral part of ams IC Design &

Development Process

Diagnosis IP, ISO conformant development, 200mm in-house wafer

fab, ISO-TS16949

Very low defect density, ID for every automotive IC, in-house

ESD/EMC lab

Adhering to latest Quality/Safety Standards i.e. ISO26262

ISO26262 - track-record for cost effective implementation,

development flow conformant, safety manager for ISO26262
projects

Close collaboration between IC developer and user at FMEDA,

considering all diagnosis functions, IC-internal and host system

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Application Support
Hall-based magnetic position sensing
Evaluation tools
Programming tools
EMC support
IC Level EMC tests (ams internal)
System Level tests (Germany) , according selected OEM standard,
magnetic stray field tests
Magnetic support
Magnet scans of given magnets
Performance simulations with scanned data and selected sensor
IC over mechanical displacement
Measurement magnet with sensor IC over displacement
Simulation tools (3D)

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Where We Are Going

Launch next generation products
Coming soon: AS5X47 series motor control with DAEC
Coming soon AS560X series - potentiometer replacement
Coming soon: AS54XX series long stroke linear position sensing
New product development and continuous improvements
Performance (higher accuracy), interfaces (SENT, PSI5), package
(PCB-less)
Products that deliver increased safety and reliability
ISO26262, automotive qualification, short lead times
Enabling low-cost and smaller magnets
Magnetic input field 5mT
Providing smaller magnets and lower assembly tolerances
Integral Non-Linearity ... 0.42
Products that accelerate and simplify the design process
Simplify products and tools application support
Confidential ams AG 2014
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Thank you
Please visit our website www.ams.com

Confidential ams AG 2014