Texas Instruments (TI) has introduced the industry’s most sensitive in-plane Hall-effect switch for position sensing, providing engineers with a cost-effective and easy-to-use alternative to magnetoresistive sensors. The new TMAG5134 Hall-effect switch incorporates an integrated magnetic concentrator, enabling it to detect magnetic fields as low as 1mT.
It is ideal for applications such as door and window sensors, personal electronics, home appliances, and more. This heightened sensitivity allows the use of smaller magnets, further reducing overall system costs. Additionally, the TMAG5134’s in-plane sensing capability enables it to detect magnetic fields parallel to a printed circuit board, offering greater flexibility in design.
Designers aiming for high sensitivity in low-power, compact position-sensing applications have traditionally used reed switches or magnetoresistive sensors such as tunnel magnetoresistive (TMR), anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR), or giant magnetoresistive (GMR) devices. These alternatives, however, often involve higher costs and complex manufacturing processes due to specialized materials and fabrication requirements. Hall-effect technology, by contrast, simplifies manufacturing while reducing design costs and accelerating time to market.
Previously, Hall-effect switches were not considered viable replacements for TMR, AMR, GMR, or reed switches due to their lower sensitivity. With the introduction of the TMAG5134, engineers now have access to a sensor that achieves greater sensitivity than traditional Hall-effect devices without the added cost or complexity of magnetoresistive solutions.
Jason Cole, Vice President and General Manager of Sensing Products at TI, remarked, “From laptops to smart home systems, sensors play a critical role in helping electronics make informed decisions. For years, our sensing solutions have enabled engineers to enhance accuracy, energy efficiency, and reliability. The TMAG5134 builds on this foundation, offering a simplified and cost-effective solution that opens new possibilities for engineers across industries.”
For further insights, TI has published a technical article titled “The Hall effect: How an in-plane switch increases sensitivity and lowers design cost.” The TMAG5134 helps extend battery life in sensing applications by consuming just 0.6µA on average. Its integrated magnetic concentrator amplifies the sensor signal, reducing the need for higher bias currents.
TI’s magnetic sensing portfolio includes switches, latches, and single- and multi-axis sensors for both linear and angular measurements. Alongside the TMAG5134 Hall-effect switch, the portfolio provides comprehensive development tools aimed at making high-performance sensing solutions more accessible to engineers.
The TMAG5134 is manufactured at TI’s 300mm fabrication facilities and is available in production quantities through TI.com. Engineers can accelerate their development process using evaluation modules and TI’s Magnetic Sense Simulator (TIMSS) tool, which allows quick simulation of magnetic field interactions and sensor performance based on specific configurations.
Texas Instruments Incorporated is a global semiconductor company that designs, manufactures, and sells analog and embedded processing chips for industries such as industrial automation, automotive, consumer electronics, enterprise systems, and communications equipment. The company’s mission is to make electronics more affordable and efficient, leveraging innovation to enhance reliability, reduce power consumption, and expand semiconductor applications across diverse markets.
