FAQ

FAQ001: What is IMC-Hall®?
FAQ002: How do IMC-Hall® Sensors compare to other Hall Sensors?
FAQ003: How does Sentron’s 2SA-10 compare to magnetoresistive Sensors for angle measurement applications?
FAQ004: How does Sentron’s CSA-1 current sensor compare to magnetoresistive sensors for current measurement applications?

What is IMC-Hll®?

IMC-Hall® is the short-form for a magnetic sensor made of an integrated combination of a Hall elements, electronic circuitry and a ferromagnetic layer. The ferromagnetic layer forms the integrated magnetic concentrator (IMC), which is placed on the CMOS Hall ASIC chip in a batch post process. Whereas a conventional Hall ASIC responds to a magnetic field perpendicular to the chip surface, a Hall ASIC with IMC responds to a magnetic field parallel with the chip surface

	Conventional Hall Sensor ASICs consist of a combination of Hall elements and electronic circuitry on a silicon chip. Due to the nature of the Hall elements such sensors are only sensitive to a magnetic field B perpendicular to the chip surface.
	A single-axis IMC-Hall® ASIC also consists of Hall elements and electronic circuitry, but additionally it has a thin structured ferromagnetic layer on the surface. A magnetic field B parallel with the chip surface is rotated locally to vertical direction under the edges of the IMC's close to the gap, so that now it can be measured by the Hall elements. Moreover the IMC's also function as passive amplifiers.
	By applying a single disk-shape IMC on the chip surface, a two-axis IMC-Hall® sensor is realized. Two Hall elements measure under its edge a magnetic field component Bx (red), and two other Hall elements measured By (blue). This allows to make a real two-axis magnetic field sensor for example for angular position measurement.

How do IMC-Hall® Sensors compare to other Hall Sensors?

Sensitivity	IMC-Hall ® sensors are considerably more sensitive than other Hall sensors
Direction of Sensitivity	IMC technology allows for the measurement of two orthogonal magnetic field components by a single sensor.
Resolution	Sentron's IMC-Hall ® sensors have a resolution about 10 times higher than other Hall sensors.
Output Signal Level	Sentron’s IMC-Hall ® sensors feature a ratiometric, amplified differential output of 2.5V ± 2V or single ended output 0.5 V to 4.5 V.
Bandwidth	Sentron’s IMC-Hall ® sensors feature high sensitivity, low offset and low offset drift without having to compromise on speed.
Switching Level	Sentron’s IMC-Hall ® sensor 1SA-1 switches already at 0.2 mT
Hysteresis	In Sentron IMC-Hall ® sensors hysteresis effects are virtually inexistent.
Cost	Sentron’s IMC-Hall ® sensors are manufactured by standard high-volume CMOS processes and are therefore low-cost devices.

How does Sentron’s 2SA-10 compare to magnetoresistive Sensors for angle measurement applications?

Axial Tolerances	Sentron’s 2SA-10 angle sensor can be mounted with larger axial tolerances than MR angle sensors.
Distance Tolerances	Sentron’s 2SA-10 angle sensor can be mounted further away from the rotating magnet with larger distance tolerances than MR angle sensors
Hysteresis	Hysteresis effects with Sentron’s 2SA-10 are virtually inexistent.
Output Signal Level	Sentron’s 2SA-10 yields standard 0.5 – 4.5V analog output voltage.
Programming	In Sentron’s 2SA-10 several parameters can be one-time programmed
EMI	Sentron’s 2SA-10 angle sensor is much less sensitive to EMI than MR sensors
Magnetic Robustness	Sentron’s 2SA-10 angle sensor does not need any resetting and cannot be destroyed by a strong magnetic field
Electrical Robustness	Sentron’s 2SA-10 angle sensor is manufactured using high-volume standard CMOS processes
Cost	Sentron’s 2SA-10 angle sensor you reduces overall system cost significantly.

How does Sentron’s CSA-1 current sensor compare to magnetoresistive sensors for current measurement applications?

Sensitivity	Sentron’s CSA-1 current sensor shows the same sensitivity as MR sensors.
Magnetic Robustness	Sentron’s CSA-1 current sensor does not need any resetting and cannot be destroyed by a strong magnetic field.
Hysteresis	Hysteresis for Sentron’s CSA-1 current sensor is virtually inexistent.
Output Signal Level	Sentron’s CSA-1 current sensor outputs standard 0.5V – 4.5V analog voltage
Programming	Sentron’s CSA-1 current sensor can be used for complete in-situ system calibration.
EMI	Sentron’s CSA-1 current sensor is much less sensitive to EMI than MR sensors
Electrical Robustness	Sentron CSA-1 current sensor is manufactured using high-volume standard CMOS processes.
Cost	Sentron’s CSA-1 current sensor reduces overall system cost significantly.