New applications in power electronics for highly integrated high-speed magnetoresistive current sensors

Inhalt:
The usage of magnetic sensors is increasing steadily in the field of electric drives. Above all magnetoresistive (MR) sensors are experiencing a significant increase in applications in the industrial, automotive and aerospace fields. MR sensors are not only used for measuring rotational and linear motion, but also for non-contact switching applications and furthermore for highly dynamic current measurement. This is largely the result of increasingly complex demands on the sensors for high performance electrical drives. Sensors must not only be accurate and dynamic, but must also be robust under difficult operating conditions and exhibit very high reliability. Recent developments, such as the trend to electromobility, in the form of electric road vehicles and “more electric aircraft”, are generating additional demands, with respect to compact dimensions and energy efficient operation. This combination of demands is leading to the more intensive use of magnetoresistive current sensors, compared to more traditional solutions, such as hall-effect based current sensors or shunts.