A Rotary Position Sensor System for Automotive Applications

Abstract

Electronic components have been playing an important role in motor vehicle applications for already more than two decades, with growing demands on system components like high resolution position sensors over the last several years. This paper will give an example from a sensor supplier’s point of view, depicting a non-contacting rotary position sensor concept which will replace some of the standard, resistor based potentiometric sensors in future applications. Starting with a brief look at the conventional potentiometer, the paper will bridge the gap to a modern sensor system. It is based on a magnetoresistive microsensor front-end, combined with a special two-dimensional signal evaluation. This non-contacting sensor is destined for motor vehicle applications, designed to meet improved specifications in terms of performance, reliability and cost.