Allegro introduces new GMR gear speed sensor

Allegro MicroSystems announced that it has introduced a new, more advanced Giant magnetoresistance (GMR) speed sensor, the ATS19480, that measures the rotation speed of ferromagnetic gears. This speed sensor chip is a single-channel solution that is ideal for transmissions in hybrid and pure electric vehicles, but can also be extended to designs such as two-wheelers, off-road vehicles, and industrial applications that require only speed information.

Combining advanced GMR technology with leading automotion-grade algorithms and packaging technologies, and leveraging more than 20 years of speed sensing expertise, application experience, and technological advancements, Allegro now offers a leading and comprehensive transmission sensor portfolio that meets the needs of today's system developers and manufacturers.

The ATS19480 adds a speed-only version to Allegro's recently announced ATS19580 transmission speed and orientation sensor chip family, while setting a new standard for speed sensing that enables developers to achieve the highest level of system capability and adaptability. With an industry-leading air gap 50% larger than existing solutions, the ATS19480 further increases design flexibility, expands design margins and tolerances, and allows for a wider range of flexible sensor installation locations. These help reduce system complexity, size, weight, cost, and energy consumption, thereby increasing efficiency and minimizing carbon emissions.

Peter Wells, Director of Allegro's Magnetic Speed Sensors Business Unit, said: "As our latest single-chip GMR solution for gear sensing, the ATS19480 optimises performance for emerging electric vehicle applications. With an air gap and a level of accuracy that exceeds competing technologies, our new speed sensor enables designers to achieve designs that have not been possible until now. "The ATS19480 is a real game changer, it can be placed almost anywhere, and the gearbox can be smaller and lighter than ever before, which is especially important for designers who only need to sense speed parameters."

Allegro recently released the dual-channel ATS19580 chip, the industry's first fully integrated GMR speed and direction sensor that provides superior vibration resistance in applications such as automotive transmissions. The ATS19480 and the previous ATS19580 sensors, announced today, complement the Allegro ATS19420 and ATS19520 fully integrated Hall effect velocity sensors, as well as the Hall Effect and GMR product family for magnetic target sensing.

High integration and excellent algorithms for high performance

Monolithic integration enables the ATS19480 sensor to achieve superior system performance and high precision speed detection. A single, fully integrated molding package reduces design complexity and simplifies the development process.

The ATS19480's three-pin, single-in-line package (SIP) integrates chip, magnet, and EMC protection for flexible design and system compensation. Its precision assembly optimizes the position of the chip to the magnet, and the smaller tolerance stack between the sensor chip and the magnet improves sensor accuracy and leaves enough margin for mounting tolerances in specific applications.

ATS19480 integrates advanced signal compensation technology, which can eliminate signal non-switching caused by system dynamics, and differential sensing can prevent the influence of common mode stray field. The ATS19480 also includes integrated ASIL B diagnostics and a certified safety design process that provides optional fault diagnosis information and helps reduce failure rates for superior performance under harsh operating conditions, thereby reducing customer returns and repair service claims.