Allegro MicroSystems has introduced a new range of automotive power management and sensing technologies designed to help manufacturers transition from traditional 12V electrical systems to 48V architectures used in next-generation vehicles.
The expanded portfolio targets advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), particularly safety-critical steering and braking applications, where precise sensing and reliable power delivery are essential.
The Manchester, New Hampshire-based semiconductor company says its latest products will allow automakers to develop compatible 12V and 48V vehicle platforms without having to redesign circuit boards or rewrite existing embedded software.
The portfolio comprises two gate drivers, the AMD89106 and AMD89186, an inductive torque sensor, the A17810, and the A81481, which Allegro describes as the industry’s first single-chip true 48V power management integrated circuit (PMIC).
Together, the components are designed to provide a more integrated approach to power management and motion sensing in vehicle systems, including electric power steering, electronic braking and active suspension.
One of the main challenges facing manufacturers moving towards 48V electrical architectures is the need to manage different hardware and software designs during the transition.
Allegro’s new AMD89106 and AMD89186 three-phase brushless DC motor gate drivers are designed to address this by sharing identical circuit board footprints and register maps across 12V and 48V platforms.
This means engineers can develop a single motor control board and reuse existing software as manufacturers introduce higher-voltage systems, potentially reducing development time and avoiding costly redesigns.
The devices also incorporate in-phase current sensing and digital current readback, which the company says can improve motor current measurement accuracy in applications such as steer-by-wire, electromechanical braking and active suspension.
Another component of the launch is the A17810 inductive torque sensor, developed for electric power steering and steer-by-wire systems.
Unlike conventional magnetic torque sensors, the device does not require magnets, flux concentrators or additional magnetic shielding. Instead, it measures two conductive targets to calculate steering torque and absolute angle.
The design is intended to reduce mechanical complexity and make the sensor less susceptible to interference from stray magnetic fields generated by nearby electrical systems. It could also remove the need for additional components, including a satellite gear and separate angle sensors in some steering column designs.
Completing the portfolio is the A81481, a single-chip 48V power management IC designed to supply safety-critical electronic control units across steering, braking, suspension and onboard charging applications.
Traditional 48V power architectures typically require several separate components, including a 12V power management IC, a 48V pre-regulator and additional protection circuitry.
Allegro has integrated dual buck regulators, five low-dropout regulators and ASIL D safety diagnostics into the A81481, reducing the number of components required. The company estimates that the approach could cut bill-of-materials costs by up to 50%.
Ram Sathappan, Vice President of Global Marketing and Applications at Allegro, said the portfolio would help manufacturers avoid maintaining separate engineering designs as the automotive industry moves towards higher-voltage systems.
“As automakers transition to 48V zonal architectures, engineering teams cannot afford to maintain separate designs for 12V and 48V platforms,” he said.
“Our footprint-compatible gate drivers, magnet-free torque sensing and the single-chip 48V PMIC bring together the power and sensing solution needed for safety-critical steering and braking systems.”
The announcement comes as vehicle manufacturers increasingly adopt software-defined vehicle architectures and more advanced electronic systems, placing greater demands on the power and sensing technologies underpinning vehicle control.
Allegro will showcase the new products at electronica 2026, taking place in Munich, Germany, from 10 to 13 November. Visitors will be able to see the company’s latest automotive power and sensing technologies at Hall C6, Booth 129.
Further information about the AMD89106, AMD89186, A17810 and A81481, including samples and evaluation support, is available at allegromicro.com/automotive.
