Melexis Introduces Micropower Linear Hall Sensor for Gaming, IoT, and Industrial Systems

Melexis has introduced the MLX90296, a new micropower linear Hall-effect sensor designed to meet the growing demand for accurate, energy-efficient motion sensing in gaming, IoT, and industrial applications. Drawing less than 5 µA at a 100 Hz enable rate, the sensor addresses the limitations of traditional potentiometers and legacy Hall sensors in battery-powered and space-constrained designs.

Micropower Design for Battery-Driven Applications
The MLX90296 features ultra-low power operation, consuming just 7 nA in standby, 5 µA at a 100 Hz enable rate, and 50 µA at 1 kHz, with a fast enable time of 25 µs. Continuous operation draws 1.9 mA. This power profile makes the device well suited for keyboards, game controllers, HMI interfaces, anti-tampering sensors, and portable industrial equipment.

Digital Signal Processing and Measurement Flexibility
A fully digital signal path with integrated DSP-based filtering improves signal-to-noise ratio and ensures stable, repeatable measurements. Five selectable sensitivity options ranging from 3.5 mV/mT to 60 mV/mT allow designers to optimize magnet size and placement, enabling either extended sensing distances or more compact mechanical designs.

The sensor supports both bipolar and unipolar operation, providing flexibility in detecting magnetic fields and accommodating a wide range of linear motion use cases.

Compact Integration and Robust Performance
Housed in a DFN-4L package measuring 1.6 × 1.2 × 0.4 mm, the MLX90296 operates from 1.8 V or 3.3 V supplies and offers pin-to-pin compatibility with other micropower 1D linear sensors. Its tri-state ratiometric analog output, integrated voltage regulator, and wide operating temperature range from -40°C to 105°C simplify system-level integration while maintaining accuracy under varying environmental conditions.

Multiple pre-configured variants are available under different part numbers, enabling shorter lead times and faster deployment across diverse applications.

By combining ultra-low power consumption, digital configurability, and a compact footprint, the MLX90296 enables reliable, contactless linear sensing for gaming controllers, smart IoT devices, and industrial automation systems throughout their operational lifetime.

www.melexis.com