ams AS5162 contactless magnetic position sensor

The AS5162 contactless magnetic position sensing technology from ams provides accurate position data for the latest active chassis control systems in the automotive industry.

The sensor, paired with a simple two-pole magnet, accurately detects angular displacements as fine as 0.09° over a full revolution. Its non-contacting semiconductor technology is immune to stray magnetic fields and, unlike optical or contacting position sensors, it is unaffected by contaminants such as oil, grease or dirt. The sensor has been used in active chassis control systems to measure the height of a vehicle’s chassis relative to its wheels. Permitting a flexible range of configurations, the AS5162 can also be used in additional position sensing applications such as headlight range and level controls, and for other angle measurements, eg, in commercial vehicles such as dump trucks.

In a safety-critical system such as active chassis control, the system is required to comply with the ISO26262 functional safety standard. This standard requires vehicle manufacturers to achieve high levels of reliability, to analyse the effects of the failure modes of components and systems, and to take measures to guarantee functional safety in the event of a predictable failure. An AEC-Q100-qualified device, the AS5162 can help achieve ISO26262 compliance because of its low FIT (failure in time) rate - a key measure of reliability defined by the standard. The wafer fabrication processes of the company also provide for precise analysis of the device’s failure modes.