Infineon Introduces new Linear Hall Sensors with Unique Temperature and Stress Compensation Features for Highly Accurate Position Detection and Current Measurement

Neubiberg, Germany and Detroit, Michigan, USA – October 20, 2008 – Today at the Convergence 2008 Conference, Infineon Technologies AG (FSE/NYSE: IFX) introduced two new programmable linear Hall sensors designed for use in automotive and industrial applications requiring highly accurate rotation and position detection. The new TLE4997 and TLE4998 sensors offer the highest accuracy of Infineon’s linear Hall sensors and are fully automotive qualified. Additionally, the TLE4997 sensor provides unique temperature compensation and the new TLE4998 sensor adds unique compensation of stress over lifetime.

Both sensors are suited for a wide range of applications. Automotive applications include, for example, pedal and throttle positioning, suspension control, torque sensing and gear stick position detection. In the industrial area, the sensors are ideal for use in robotics and automation applications, medical equipment and high-current sensing applications, such as Uninterruptable Power Supplies.

The analog output TLE4997 is rated for output noise that is a factor of two smaller than the output noise of competitor products. The fully digital output of the TLE4998 has a sensitivity stability three to four times better than that of sensors without stress-compensation. Also, the offset drift stability of both sensors over the full temperature range of -40 °C to 150 °C is by two to three times better than the offset drift stability of other sensors available on the market. The TLE4997 offers low ratiometric error over the full operating temperature range.

The TLE4997 and TLE4998 sensors both feature EEPROM-programmable parameters including offset, bandwidth, polarity, output clamping, coefficients for compensation of a magnet's temperature drifts and memory lock, making them highly versatile in a broad spectrum of linear and angle position sensing applications.

Both sensors operate at three selectable ranges which include ±50, ±100 or ±200 millitesla (mT) and have high precision output with up to 16-bit resolution (dependent on the output protocol).

Unique temperature and stress compensation

The advanced temperature compensation features implemented in the TLE4997 are further supplemented by stress compensation features in the TLE4998. Thus, the TLE4998 provides outstanding performance stability over both – temperature and lifetime. As a result, the sensor delivers the same reliable outputs regardless of environmental effects and ageing. This unique feature is particularly important for safety critical applications such as steering torque sensing in cars.

Packaged in the proven PG-SSO-3-10 leaded package, Infineon’s product family is offering a broad range of interface options. The TLE4997 focuses on applications requiring analog output signals. The TLE4998 offers a broad range of digital interfaces including Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), Single Edge Nibble Transmission (SENT) as well as Short PWM Codes (SPC). The TLE4998 is available in two additional leaded packages: The PG-SSO-4-1 package, which is only 1 mm thin, thus allowing inserting it into even smaller air-gaps, and the PG-SSO-3-9 package with two additional capacitors directly integrated on the lead frame, further improving the EMC capabilities of the TLE4998 product and also offering advantages in the ease of module design and system cost.

2-point calibration and end-of-line programming for optimized manufacturing flow

The digital second-order temperature compensation avoids process spread known from conventional analog compensations. System suppliers benefit from maximum flexibility and a fast production flow, as fast and easy deterministic 2-point calibration is combined with programmable transfer functions such as gain, offset, clamping, bandwidth and temperature characteristics. Temperature characteristics are stored in the EEPROM during the end-of-line programming.

Availability

The Infineon TLE4997 and TLE4998 are available in volume quantities. Programmer Kits are available for test and evaluation purposes.

Further information is available at www.infineon.com/sensors

Infineon Technologies AG, Neubiberg, Germany, offers semiconductor and system solutions addressing three central challenges to modern society: energy efficiency, communications, and security. In the 2007 fiscal year (ending September), the company reported sales of Euro 7.7 billion (including Qimonda sales of Euro 3.6 billion) with approximately 43,000 employees worldwide (including approximately 13,500 Qimonda employees). With a global presence, Infineon operates through its subsidiaries in the U.S. from Milpitas, CA, in the Asia-Pacific region from Singapore, and in Japan from Tokyo. Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX).