MLX90333
Triaxis 3D-Joystick Position Sensor
2. Description
The MLX90333 is a monolithic sensor IC featuring the Tria⊗is™ Hall technology. Conventional planar Hall
technology is only sensitive to the flux density applied orthogonally to the IC surface. The Tria⊗is™ Hall
sensor is also sensitive to the flux density applied parallel to the IC surface. This is obtained through an
Integrated Magneto-Concentrator (IMC®) which is deposited on the CMOS die (as an additional back-end
step).
The MLX90333 is sensitive to the 3 components of the flux density applied to the IC (B
X
, B
Y
and B
Z
). This
allows the MLX90333 to sense any magnet moving in its surrounding and it enables the design of novel
generation of non-contacting joystick position sensors which are often required for both automotive and
industrial applications (e.g. man-machine interface).
Furthermore, the capability of measuring B
X
, B
Y
and B
Z
allows the MLX90333 to be considered as
universal non-contacting position sensor i.e. not limited to joystick applications. For instance, a linear
travel can be sensed with the MLX90333 once included in a specific magnetic design.
In combination with the appropriate signal processing, the magnetic flux density of a small magnet (axial
magnetization) moving above the IC can be measured in a non-contacting way (Figure 3). The two (2)
angular information are computed from the three (3) vector components of the flux density (i.e. B
X
, B
Y
and
B
Z
). MLX90333 reports two (2) linear output signals. The output formats are selectable between Analog,
PWM and Serial Protocol.
Figure 3 - Typical application of MLX90333
3901090333
Rev. Preliminary
Page 3 of 38
Data Sheet
May 07
MELEXIS [ Melexis Microelectronic Systems ]
