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austriamicrosystems,
a leading global designer and manufacturer of analog
integrated circuits (ICs) for industrial, medical, communications
and automotive applications, sees very strong market
response for its AS5040, the world’s smallest
10-bit multiple output rotary magnetic encoder.
The innovative device is a true system-on-chip (SoC)
integrating field sensing Hall elements, A-to-D conversion,
digital signal processing and output interface on a
single chip. Since the market introduction of the AS5040
in the second quarter 2004, it has received overwhelmingly
positive feedback from the market.
The AS5040 has been introduced into a number of industrial
applications, ranging from the broad field of general
purpose rotary encoders to applications such as controls
for elevators, tracking of satellite dish antennae,
or equipment for diamond polishing. Due to its small
size and the versatility of available output functions,
the AS5040 will additionally find use in medical applications
for the personal care market.
The AS5040 has also been very well received by the
automotive industry as it is ideal for a variety of
applications requiring highly accurate measurement and
excellent reliability plus the ability to withstand
harsh environments. Examples include steering wheel
angle detection, gear-box position sensing and reverse
wiper control. As a further advantage, its robust technological
concept allows the AS5040 to be integrated into safety
critical applications such as ESP (electronic vehicle
stability) systems.
“We are very excited about the success of the
AS5040. Market acceptance has exceeded our expectations
and customer interest in the AS5040 is phenomenal,”
says Matjaz Novak, Director of Marketing for the business
unit Industry & Medical at austriamicrosystems.
“We are equally enthusiastic about the future
of this product. In addition to the currently available
AS5040, we plan to introduce several new magnetic encoder
devices which will form an industry-leading magnetic
encoder product family,” he added.
The AS5040 operates as a contactless system including
a small magnet where 1,024 absolute positions are detected
over a full 360-degree turn of the magnet. The device
offers three different incremental output modes, quadrature
A/B, single channel and U-V-W commutation, which can
be configured to specific customer requirements, as
well as a pulse width modulated (PWM) output signal.
The AS5040 comes in a very small 5.3mm by 6.2mm 16-pin
SSOP package and operates over the full industrial temperature
range. Additional features of AS5040 include the user
programmable zero/index position, magnet presence monitoring
as a safety feature and a diagnostic feature for magnet
alignment during manufacturing.
“Our strategy of introducing an extremely small
size magnetic rotary encoder device offering a variety
of digital output modes to meet a broad range of customer
requirements has proven to be a major success,”
concludes Bernhard Czar, Director of Marketing for the
business unit Automotive at austriamicrosystems.
About austriamicrosystems
austriamicrosystems
is a leading designer and manufacturer of high performance
analog ICs, combining more than 20 years of analog design
capabilities and system know-how with its own state-of-the-art
manufacturing and test facilities. austriamicrosystems
leverages its expertise in low power and high accuracy
to provide industry-leading customized and standard
analog products. Operating worldwide with more than
800 employees, austriamicrosystems
focuses on the areas of power management, sensors &
sensor interfaces, portable audio and car access through
its business units Communications, Industry & Medical,
Automotive and Full Service Foundry. austriamicrosystems
is listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange in Zurich (ticker
symbol: AMS).
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