Renesas Electronics introduces a new inductive position sensor

     Renesas Electronics announced the introduction of new inductive position Sensor (IPS) technology for high-precision motor position sensor ics for robotics, industrial and medical applications. This position sensing technology utilizes a non-contact coil sensor to replace the expensive magnetic and optical encoders currently used in motor control systems that require absolute position sensing, high speed, high precision, and high reliability.

     Renesas' proprietary IPS technology uses sensing elements consisting of copper coils etched onto a printed circuit board (PCB) to detect the location of metal targets. Unlike heavy duty magnetic-based sensors, IPS products are capable of operating at speeds of 600 Krpm (electrical) and can detect position immediately upon start-up with a propagation delay of less than 2μs, making them ideal for motors that rotate at high speeds. In addition, the sensor technology supports automatic calibration and linearization, ensuring consistent performance throughout the life of the motor.

     Based on the vernier principle, the two-coil sensor technology supports up to 19-bit resolution and up to 14-bit accuracy, which makes it superior to similar products available on the market. Robust sensor technology enables reliable operation in harsh environments such as high temperatures, dust, moisture, vibration and electromagnetic interference (EMI). Inductive sensors are not affected by stray magnetic fields and require no maintenance; And it is not easy to make mistakes compared with magnetic sensors. These advantages make inductive position sensors a more attractive option compared to heavier and more expensive traditional optical or magnetic encoders.

     Jan Leuckfeld, Senior Director, HPC Analog (Sensor) Division at Renesas said, "Renesas' inductive position sensor technology represents a major leap forward in the field of motor position sensors and encoders. They will enable Renesas to provide robust, high-precision and cost-effective differentiated motor position sensor ics for industrial applications."

     Ulrich Marl, Key Account Manager at Lenord+Bauer - a Renesas customer and manufacturer of encoders for industrial systems, says: "Position sensors for the factory floor must be able to withstand extreme conditions such as moisture, heat and vibration. Through our partnership with Renesas, we have integrated IPS-based technology into our encoder portfolio to ensure reliability and safety while reducing downtime in critical applications."

     Inductive position sensor technology will support common UART, ABI and I²C communication interfaces, ensuring seamless integration into industrial networks for real-time monitoring and data analysis. In addition, the new sensor technology will be supported by a full toolchain, including dedicated software for user customization and precision optimization. Renesas plans to combine the new sensors with a number of compatible devices in its portfolio to create a broad "portfolio of successful products" that will work seamlessly to bring users optimized low-risk designs and speed to market.