'Lowest power' 10bit magnetic rotary encoder unveiled

austriamicrosystems' AS5050 encoder features automatic power down and wake up modes, and is targeted for low power applications such as robotics. It has also been designed for use in servo motor control and as an input device for low cost battery operated devices. The single chip integrates four Hall sensor elements, a 10bit angle encoder, a smart power management controller and a 3 or 4wire SPI communications interface. Housed in a 4 x 4mm QFN-16 package, austriamicrosystems claims the low power encoder is the smallest device in its class. Depending on the readout rate, the current consumption is said to be reduced to µA levels. For example, 50µA at 10 measurements per second is typical current drain - the lowest in the industry says the analogue ic specialist. A few passive components and a magnet rotating above the chip are necessary to assemble a contactless position measurement encoder system. The AS5050 magnetic rotary encoder performs all angle calculations on chip, features on chip automatic wake up and power down, and only draws current when a new measurement is requested by the host controller. It automatically powers down as soon as a measurement is completed. Andreas Pfingstl, product marketing manager at austriamicrosystems, said: "Thanks to its automatic shutdown and wake up modes, the AS5050 is the industry's lowest power 10bit magnetic rotary encoder available and extends the time between charges for battery powered equipment. It also offers simple hook up to common microcontrollers with an industry standard SPI interface." The ic operates from a 3.3volt power supply over an ambient operating temperature range of -40 to 85°C.