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Part 3 of a Series

Mr. Akihiko Kise, assistant manager
New Sensor Devices Create Project
Sales & Marketing Headquarters
Alps Electric Co., Ltd
Providing the best solution with our high-precision and flexible design capabilities "Highly Reliable Magnetic Sensor" of Alps Electric Co., Ltd.


In the area of embedded sensors for equipment, demand for a contactless magnetic sensor has recently shown a rapid growth. We apply a state of the art technology to a "Highly Reliable Magnetic Sensor" as our strategically important product.

Highly Reliable Magnetic Sensors born from HDD's magnetic head technology
"Highly Reliable Magnetic Sensor" of the Alps was born from our long cultivated advanced technology in magnetic heads of hard disk drive (HDD). We ravishingly used our engineering skills and know-how of the highly sensitive, precise and reliable magnetic heads which are capable of reading minute magnetic changes recorded with high density.
Compared to the existing magnetic sensors, our Highly Reliable Magnetic Sensor, which is increasingly important as our strategic product, has a wider detection range and smaller variations even under a highly sensitive domain, leading to higher freedom in a circuit board design and a sensor location. Our Highly Reliable Magnetic Sensor contributes to product miniaturization and multifunction.
In addition, we achieved an industry top level compact size, a low consumption current and a stable thermal property, which would bring greater opportunities for wider applications such as cell phones, PCs, information instruments, audio-video equipment, information appliances, white goods, and cars.

Enhanced flexibilities for designing, with a wide range and high-precision magnetic detection
In March 2007, Alps firstly released "HGD series" - a Highly Reliable Magnetic Sensor switching output type, suitable for detection of opening and closing of cell phone and PC display. There are two major detection options for opening and closing displays of cell phones and PCs, and doors of refrigerators and washing machines; using a mechanism such as switches, or magnetic detection by a magnetic sensor. Recently, cell phones are predominantly clam shell shaped, miniaturized and thinner. Furthermore, they tend to offer more complex mechanisms such as LCD rotations, intended for various use cases. In response to such requirements of the shapes and mechanisms, parts embedded for the set products now require an adaptation for higher design flexibilities, in addition to the small size and flat requirements.
The HGD series is a magnetic sensor which utilizes a high-precision magnetic element and is capable of detecting such clam shell phone movements, and door and lid opening and closing. The high-precision sensors there, compared to other magnetic elements, can precisely detect a wider range of magnetic fields. A sensor's detection range of magnetic fields therefore becomes wider, and it helps expand design flexibilities of set products.
Moreover, we offer three options for a magnetic field detection; 1. a unidirectional magnetic field detection (one monopole output), 2. a bidirectional magnetic field detection for an output as a combined signal (one bipolar output) and 3. a bidirectional magnetic field detection for an output as two separate signals (two bipolar outputs). Furthermore, we offer a MAP (Mold Array Package) type with its terminals placed on backside of the product main bodies to achieve one of the smallest sizes in the industry, and a SON (Small Outline Nonleaded) type with its terminals stick out from the side of the product for an easy implementation. They fulfill various function and design requirements for set products.
The high-precision magnetic elements of the HGD series, compared to other magnetic elements, retain high signal output capabilities, which contribute to minimizing signal processing circuits, achieving low current consumptions and saving space.
Alps High Reliable Magnetic Sensor
with larger detection range than conventional sensors

"HGAR series" that is capable of fine angle detection
In September 2007 following the HGD series, we released "HGAR series" which is a Highly Reliable Magnetic Sensor analog linear output type (for a rotation detection) to be used for detecting angles of rolling mechanism inside various equipment.
Recently, in order for rolling mechanisms to operate smoothly and accurately in equipment and for human manipulations to transmit exactly to equipment, a device with higher precision in fine angle detection is required. For instance, in an angle detection of joints of robot arms and feet and construction machine arms, and various paper feed control parts of printers and copiers, fine angle detections have enabled users to pursue subtler and smooth movements as intended.
The HGAR series is small with a size of 2.00×1.50×0.65(W×D×H) mm, but is a Highly Reliable Magnetic Sensor of an analog linear output type to detect a rotational angle degree of a magnet. The angle detection was enabled by reading changes in a direction of magnetic force lines of a magnet installed in a detection target.
Since the HGAR series with a high-precision magnetic element is a non-contact type sensor, more linear output (higher signal to noise ratio) can be obtained, unlike conventional contact type sensors of which outputs tend to be disturbed by sliding noises. Hence, they made possible designing of an angle detection system with fine angle divisions. The HGAR series enables a high-precision system design of about 10 bit (1,024) divisions. Since a magnet movement as a detection target is directly relayed to the sensor as a magnetic field, mechanical hysteresis can be greatly improved. In addition, the low current consumption and the contactless method has achieved improved durability and longer life.

The Flexibly fulfilling needs of set products
"In addition to our pursuit of high-precisions, we can flexibly comply with various requirements of set products. Furthermore, by selecting our right sensor for a right place, we are confident to offer an optimum solution to our clients.” says Akihiko Kise, assistant manager of New Sensor Devices Create Project.
Following the HGD and HGAR series, we plan to develop new high-precision sensors which include an analog linear output sensor to detect strength of magnetic fields, a digital rotation sensor, a direction sensor (with a tilt correction algorithm) and an automotive analog rotation sensor. The application fields are increasingly becoming wider.

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For more information please contact: Sales or Products Information Center.
1-7, YUKIGAYA-OTSUKA-CHO, OTA-KU, TOKYO, JAPAN 145-8501 PHONE : +81 (3) 5499-8154
 
 
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