Linear current sensor IC delivers accuracy, speed, and protection

By Gina Roos, editor-in-chief

Allegro MicroSystems  has unveiled the ACS70310 Hall-effect current sensor IC with the highest speed and accuracy in >400-A sensing applications to date. The ACS70310  is well-suited for hybrid and electric vehicle inverter applications that need high accuracy sensing to 1,000 A or higher. The sensor IC also offers diagnostic functions that can help improve functional safety and reliability.

The ACS70310 linear current sensor IC achieves ±1.2% sensitivity and ±5 mV of offset error over the automotive temperature range of −40°C to 150°C. By providing both short-circuit and overcurrent detection, the current sensor delivers an analog output voltage proportional to the applied magnetic field, said Allegro. The output has a response time of 2 µs and a typical operating bandwidth of 240 kHz.

For protection, the on-board supply regulator enables the supply pin to survive voltages of ±18 V to protect against reverse battery connection, and the output pin can survive voltages of +16 V to −6 V to protect against automotive voltage transients.

The ACS70310 is field-programmable for both sensitivity and offset after assembly into the final system. Several other parameters are also programmable (see the datasheet ). Allegro-programmed devices are also available, which can be calibrated for sensitivity and offset via the system’s microcontroller. The sensor IC is packaged in a thin, 1-mm-thick case, four-pin SIP that is lead-free with 100% matte-tin lead-frame plating.