Switch drives Lower Voltage, Deeper Micropower and Higher ESD

Driving transistor dimensions to sub-micron levels, the MLX90248 New Generation delivers notable performance improvements while reducing power consumption in portable and handheld devices. Previously specified down to 2.5V operating voltage, the MLX90248 New Generation requires only 1.5V. Suitable for existing 3V applications, the MLX90248 can now address the growing number of 1.8V applications as well as meet the reduced power consumption challenges presented by emerging markets. Additionally the MLX90248 New Generation offers dramatically increased protection against ESD (Electro-Static Discharge) up to 8kV, safeguarding the IC within its production environment and operation.

Based on the Hall-Effect principle, the MLX90248 provides magnetic, contactless, solid-state switching for applications demanding special power management schemes, such as standby mode, which are required to save battery power or reduce overall power-consumption. The MLX90248 is widely used for Open/Close Detection in mobile phones and notebooks, and for Screen Rotation Detection in digital cameras and camcorders. The MLX90248 New Generation provides a 50% power reduction in the average IC, typically consuming only 5uA at 3V, versus 10uA consumed by earlier versions. At even lower voltages the IC exhibits the industry’s lowest current consumption: 3uA at 1.5V, or less than 5uW.

Magnetic switches traditionally use inexpensive and abundant reed-switches. Mechanical bouncing and short contact lifetimes contribute to many significant issues encountered with reed-switches. Time tested CMOS technology is an alternative which alleviates these shortcomings by providing bounce-free, contactless “Solid-State” switching, resulting in dramatically increased product reliability.

Due to the price sensitivity of consumer markets, magnet sizes tend to be decreased to reduce the overall module cost. Smaller magnets generate weaker, less easily detected magnetic fields. Magnetically, the MLX90248 is classified as a “High Sensitive” sensor, using advanced techniques which allow the stable and repetitive detection of very low magnetic fields, below 6 MilliTeslas (60 Gauss). Therefore, small and inexpensive magnets are sufficient to trigger the IC.

A common issue that occurs with magnetic sensors during module assembly is the ability to define the magnetic pole’s orientation with respect to the IC. The MLX90248 features Omnipolar™ switching, assuring that the IC detects the presence of any magnetic pole, North or South, eliminating both the need for pole recognition and proper magnet orientation during assembly.