3D Magnetic Sensor Basics and Applications

This page covers the basics of 3D magnetic sensors, including application notes and a list of manufacturers. As the name suggests, a magnetic sensor measures magnetic fields.

A 3D magnetic sensor measures the magnetic field (H-field) in three dimensions: X, Y, and Z. This makes them suitable for a variety of consumer and industrial applications, such as:

• Control elements in white goods
• Joysticks
• Multi-function knobs
• Electric meters

3D Magnetic Sensor Application Note

Infineon has recently released a 3D magnetic sensor with extremely low power consumption. It consists of three major functional blocks:

• Sensing part: This unit consists of probes connected sequentially to a Multiplexer (MUX), which is then connected to an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC).
• I2C interface: This provides a standard digital communication interface for easy integration with microcontrollers and other systems.
• Power mode control system: This manages the power distribution within the IC, includes a power-on reset function, and provides a low-power oscillator as a clock reference.

Key features of this 3D magnetic sensor include:

• 10µA consumption during normal operation
• 12-bit resolution
• Digital output using the I2C interface
• Variable frequency and power mode settings, configurable during operation
• Linear field measurements up to +/- 150 mT

3D Magnetic Sensor Manufacturers/Vendors

Here are some popular manufacturers and vendors of magnetic sensors:

• Micro Magnetics
• Infineon
• Fraunhofer IIS
• Melexis Semiconductors
• Sensixs Design