Micronas LIN-based sensor simplifies automotive designs
-- Test & Measurement World, 3/4/2008 3:00:00 PM
Outfitted with a programmable microcontroller and a LIN bus 2.0 interface, the HAL 2810 Hall-effect sensor from Micronas reduces system cost and increases reliability in networking automotive systems. The sensor can be used for angular measurements, such as fuel-level sensing, and for linear movement, such as seat-track positioning. It is particularly useful for passenger weight detection to ensure the proper deployment of passenger airbags.
In addition to integrating a LIN bus physical layer, the HAL 2810 offers 12-bit resolution and both spinning-current and second-order temperature compensation over a range of –40°C to +140°C. The LIN serial bus interface supports data rates of 10.4 kbps and 20 kbps, while the device’s boot ROM includes firmware to drive the bus. Micronas included the physical interface and overvoltage and reverse-voltage protection on all three pins of the sensor’s TO-92 package, so the device can be connected directly to the bus.
The HAL 2810 is user-programmable via the LIN bus, so any LIN tool available on the market can be used to program the sensor. Micronas also offers an application kit containing a programming board, LabView programming software, and the necessary source code. Sample rate can be programmed from 27 samples/s to 54 samples/s.
The HAL 2810 costs $2 in lots of 10,000 units.
Micronas, www.micronas.com.
