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In recent years, as automobiles have become increasingly electrified, the importance of "angle sensors" that accurately detect the position and angle of motors and shafts has grown.In particular, systems that handle critical vehicle functions such as turning and stopping, such as electric power steering (EPS), steer-by-wire, and electric mechanical brakes (EMB), require not only high-precision angle detection but also functional safety measures to ensure safety even in the event of a malfunction.

Infineon's XENSIV™ TMR angle sensor, the "TLE5502D," is a product that meets these demands.

The TLE5502D features high-precision 360° angle detection using TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) technology, as well as high redundancy through a dual-die configuration. Furthermore, as a Safety Element out of Context (SEooC) compliant with ISO 26262, it meets functional safety requirements up to ASIL-D.

This article explains the mechanism and features of the TLE5502D, as well as the benefits of adopting it in automotive systems.

What is a TMR angle sensor?

To understand the TLE5502D, the first thing you need to know is "TMR".

Infineon offers a lineup of angle sensors utilizing the Hall effect, AMR (anisotropic magnetoresistance), GMR (giant magnetoresistance), and TMR (tunnel magnetoresistance). The TLE5502D, which we will introduce here, is a
TMR-type angle sensorthatutilizes the phenomenon where the resistance value of the element changes in response to changes in the magnetic field.

In the TLE5502D, when a magnet placed near the sensor rotates, the direction of the magnetic field applied to the sensor changes accordingly. This magnetic field direction is detected by a TMR element and output as a Sin (sine) signal and a Cos (cosine) signal corresponding to the angle.

Microcontrollers can typically determine angles from sine/cosine signals using operations such as atan2. This allows the TLE5502D to detect absolute angles up to 360°.

Furthermore, Infineon
employs its proprietary "Vortex TMR" structure, which creates a stable magnetization state, resulting in a wide magnetic field range, high linearity, low sensitivity to cross-field interference, and stable output characteristics.

What is TLE5502D?

The TLE5502Dsupports 360° angle detection and can be used in a variety of applications requiring high-precision angle information, including rotor position detection for EPS, EMB, and BLDC motors.

The main specifications are as follows:

item specification
Sensor type TMR
Angle detection range 360°
Output method Differential Sin/Cos Analog Output
Internal configuration Dual Die
Functional safety Supports ISO 26262 SEooC and ASIL-D.
output voltage Typ. 270 mV/V
Magnetic field range 20~130 mT
Operating temperature range -40~150℃
Automotive certification AEC-Q100 Grade 0
package PG-VQFN-16
package size 3×3 mm

The key point of the TLE5502D is that it's not simply a "sensor that can measure angles with high precision."High precision, redundancy, functional safety, simple microcontroller connection, miniaturization.The combination of these features is a major characteristic of the TLE5502D.

We will explain each of these in detail below.

Four features of the TLE5502D

Feature ① High-precision 360° angle detection using TMR

The TLE5502D uses a TMR element to detect the direction of the magnetic field and acquires 360° angle information.When the magnet rotates, the TLE5502D outputs analog sine/cosine signals corresponding to the angle. By processing these two signals with a microcontroller, the angles of the rotor, shaft, etc., can be calculated. Furthermore,the angle accuracy is less than 0.9°, enabling highly accurate detection.

Furthermore, the ability to acquire highly accurate rotor position information is a significant advantage, especially in motor control. By controlling the motor using precise position information, it is possible to achieve more accurate and safer motor control, as well as reduce motor commutation noise and improve efficiency.

Feature ② Dual-die configuration achieves high redundancy

In a dual-die configuration, two sensor dies are integrated into a single package, enabling the creation of a redundant angle detection system. Each independent sensor die acquires angle information, and the microcontroller compares this information,allowing for the development of a safety concept for detecting abnormalities in the sensor system.

Furthermore, the TLE5502D is a SEooC developed in accordance with ISO 26262, supporting functional safety requirements up to ASIL-D. Its dual-die configuration also makes it suitable for systems requiring fail-operational functionality (continued operation even in the event of a failure).This offers significant advantages in safety-critical applications such as Steer-by-Wire, EPS, and EMB.

For example, in Steer-by-Wire, the driver's steering input and wheel steering are not mechanically connected, but controlled using electrical signals.Therefore, it is crucial not only to accurately detect the angle, but also to ensure redundancy throughout the entire system so that a safe state can be maintained even if a malfunction occurs in one measurement system.

The TLE5502D was developed as an angle sensor with these next-generation safety applications in mind.


*In order to actually achieve ASIL D, a system-level safety design is required, including external safety mechanisms as specified in the datasheet and Safety Manual.

Feature ③: High output voltage allows direct connection to a microcontroller.

Another advantage of the TLE5502D is its high analog output.The TLE5502D has a high output of 270 mV/V as standard, allowing it to be connected directly to the microcontroller's ADC without the need for an external amplifier.

Generally, if the sensor output signal is small, it is necessary to amplify the signal using an operational amplifier or similar device before processing the signal with a microcontroller.
On the other hand, with TLE5502D,TLE5502D → Microcontroller (ADC)This allows us to construct a simple signal path,Because external amplification circuits can be reduced,

- Reduction in the number of external components
- Reduction of BOM costs
- Reduction of PCB mounting area
Simplification of circuit design

These are some of the benefits you can expect.In systems where safety is paramount, the number of failure modes to consider increases with the number of components. In this sense, the ability to configure a simple signal path is a significant advantage of the TLE5502D.

Feature ④ Dual die in a small 3x3mm package

In applications requiring a high level of functional safety, one might think that "simply installing two sensors would suffice" to ensure high redundancy.

However, in actual in-vehicle systems, mounting space is limited, and especially when detecting rotor position, sensors may have to be placed inside the motor or around the shaft, making sensor miniaturization a crucial point.

The TLE5502D has a dual-die configuration,3x3mm PG-VQFN-16 packageWe use this method.Due to its small package size, it can be easily placed inside motors, enabling both high-precision angle detection and redundancy within limited space.

What are the advantages of using the TLE5502D?

To summarize the features introduced so far from the perspective of actual system design,in the TLE5502D,

High-precision angle detection using TMR Precise motor/shaft position detection
Dual-die configuration Redundancy of sensor systems
Supports ISO 26262 and ASIL-D. Supporting compliance with high functional safety requirements
High analog output Direct connection to the microcontroller is possible without using an external amplifier.
Small 3x3mm package Easy to implement even in limited spaces such as inside a motor.

This is one of the advantages.

In short, the TLE5502D is not just a "high-precision angle sensor," but its major advantage lies in its ability to combine high-precision angle detection, functional safety, redundancy, and miniaturization into a single device, while also simplifying the surrounding circuitry. In particular, as vehicle control becomes more electrified and by-wire, it is becoming increasingly important for sensors not only to "measure accurately" but also to "build systems that account for failures," andthe TLE5502D is designed to meet these requirements.

A lineup to choose from to suit your needs.

To allow users to choose the appropriate model for their application, the TLE5502D is available in two variations: "S0002" and "S0003".Both are dual-die TMR angle sensors, but they differ in their bridge configuration.

TLE5502D S0002

The TLE5502D S0002 employs a configuration with a decoupled P/N bridge.

By providing independent VDD/GND on the P and N sides, independent bridge signals can be generated. This enables the creation of an advanced safety concept that mutually checks the P/N signals, making it suitable for systems requiring high diagnostic coverage.

TLE5502D S0003

The TLE5502D S0003 employs a sine/cosine bridge configuration.

The sine and cosine bridges each have their own power supplies, generating differential SIN_P/SIN_N and COS_P/COS_N signals.Therefore, S0002 and S0003 can be selected according to the required safety concept and circuit configuration.

Summary

The TLE5502D is a high-precision 360° angle sensor that utilizes Infineon's TMR technology.In addition to high-precision angle detection using TMR, it features redundancy through a dual-die configuration, functional safety compliance up to ASIL-D, high analog output, and a small 3x3mm package.What is particularly noteworthy is that it allows for a simple and compact system configuration while achieving both high precision and safety.

As vehicles become more electrified and incorporate by-wire technology, angle sensors are required to have higher precision, reliability, and functional safety than ever before.If you are considering systems that require high-precision angle detection and high safety, such as EPS, EMB, Steer-by-Wire, or BLDC motor control, please consider the TLE5502D as one of your angle sensor options.

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