Sensors are being integrated in automobiles, medical equipment, smartphones, tablets and many of the products we use every day to improve their efficiency and provide more information for the user. MagnaChip Semiconductors Corporation, a Korean semiconductor company with a broad portfolio of analog and mixed-signal products and technologies, has introduced the MXsensor, a line of intelligent sensor products with 0.18 micron mixed signal and analog technology with a low profile in power consumption.
The mobile market is increasing at double-digit rates, and smartphones and tablets manufactured in 2013 and beyond each have 12 to 13 sensors. A sensor with multiple capabilities at a low price point has a clear advantage in capturing a very lucrative market. The small form factor, multifunction integration, and power saving properties of the MXsensor line of sensors makes it an ideal solution for many manufacturers integrating features on their device to differentiate themselves from their competitors.
In medical applications this type of sensor is used for many lifesaving and life-changing products. This includes ventilators, infusion, insulin and syringe pumps, kidney dialysis machines and centrifuges for preparing samples. As the price point and capability of sensors increases, manufacturers of medical devices will use the sensors in more products to improve research and therapeutic methodologies as well as daily operations in medical facilities.
The sensors include:
- The MXM11XX Digital Hall Sensor Family – has a programmable design flexibility with a10-bit ADC (analog-digital converter), which provides a number of new functionalities over switches currently available in the market. The self-calibration mode and the I2C interface give manufacturers the ability to provide high precision applications with an inexpensive magnet and provide value added features with the programming.
- The MXG1300 e-Compass Sensor Family– has the MagnaChip's proprietary magnetic Hall sensor technology providing industry comparable heading accuracy and power performance. The heading accuracy ensures the user of the device will be able to experience optimal performance even when there is a strong magnetic flux environment. The power performance is able to conserve power and extended battery life of mobile devices.
The line of MXsensors is being sampled and will go into production in Q3 2013. Evaluation kits are available through the company's sales channels.
"MagnaChip's new MXsensor solutions are already creating great interest, particularly in the mobile device manufacturing sector. We look forward to meeting the needs of the smartphone and tablet communities and other industry sectors with the advanced feature set of the MXsensor series through our rapidly growing list of advanced product offerings," said YJ Kim, executive vice president and general manager of MagnaChip's Display Solutions Division.
Edited by
Rachel Ramsey
