December 18, 2012 The local interconnect network (LIN) bus continues to see widespread adoption in the automotive world. This robust, cost effective communication scheme allows implementation of many basic networking functions in sub-systems previously considered to be uneconomical for smart actuators and controls. With its new MLX80050 chipmaker Melexis responds to this ever increasing need. Read more

December 11, 2012 The MLX91802 from chipmaker Melexis is a system in package solution for tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) implementations that combines an analog pressure sensor and a low power sensor interface with an MLX16 16-bit RISC-based microcontroller. It is housed in a compact, pressure ported, plastic SO16 package and has an operational temperature range of -40 °C to 125 °C. Read more

October 11, 2012 Chip vendor Melexis introduces the first of its new line of commercial, off the shelf, packaged MEMs pressure sensors. The MLX90809 benefits from 10+ years of developing custom MEMs pressure sensors for demanding automotive applications. This device is a highly accurate, AEC Q100 qualified relative pressure sensor specifically targeted at 1 Bar applications. Read more

September 17, 2012 Occupancy classification system (OCS) implementations have become an increasingly standard part of the safety capabilities found in modern cars. Read more

August 23, 2012 Three-phase brushless DC (BLDC) motor applications bring higher efficiency and improved performance to electromechanical actuation in automotive systems like pumps, power steering, engine cooling fans and fast positioning drivetrain actuators. Melexis latest pre-driver IC, the MLX83203, deploys EEPROM memory and combined bootstrap and charge pump blocks. Whereas traditional BLDC pre-driver ICs require complex, large packages with many external components, the MLX83203 delivers a flexible pre-driver solution in a space saving, standard, QFN32 5x5 package. Read more

July 24, 2012 Chipmaker Melexis has launched the latest product in its position sensor IC portfolio, based on the company's proprietary Triaxis technology. The MLX90365 is a 12-bit resolution device that can be used in either linear or rotary position sensing systems. It features fully programmable transfer functionality, selectable analog and pulse width modulation (PWM) output modes, open/short diagnostics and on-board diagnostics. Read more

May 25, 2012 The MLX90364 Triaxis is a high accuracy position sensor from semiconductor vendor Melexis. It eliminates need for inclusion of a printed circuit board (PCB) within sensing modules. This device is based on a dual mold package construction, which integrates a 12-bit resolution position sensing die together with the decoupling capacitors necessary to meet the strenuous electro-static discharge (ESD) and electromagnetic compliance (EMC) requirements of automotive environments. Read more

May 3, 2012 Melexis announces its next generation IC family for sensor-less and sensor based BLDC motor control in automotive applications. The product family targets permanent running BLDC motors typically found in various automotive applications. Examples include pumps for fuel, water, and oil, engine cooling fans, HVAC blowers and battery cooling fans where high energy efficiency and system cost are in focus. Read more

April 25, 2012 The MLX92221 and MLX92241 Hall Effect sensors from Melexis are designed for stringent automotive applications requirements such as seat positioning systems, seat adjusters, seatbelt buckle switches, wipers and motor commutation systems. Read more

November 17, 2011 LIN (Local Interconnect Network) nodes continue exponential growth rate in Europe. To address this growing need for LIN transceivers, Belgian chip manufacturer Melexis introduces the next generation of its LIN transceiver IC for LIN data bus systems according to the LIN 2.x standard. The MLX80020BA extends Melexis' existing product line of LIN transceivers and System Basis Chips as well as fully integrated LIN solutions. Read more

November 3, 2011 For contact-less current sensing applications with tough speed requirements in electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, chipmaker Melexis has developed the MLX91207 current sensor. The device can also be used in renewable energy applications. Read more

October 18, 2011 MOST is the de facto standard for fiber optic infotainment networks in automotive applications. Melexis now received the declaration of compliance for both its MLX75608 and MLX75605 fiber optic transceivers for MOST networks. Read more

October 5, 2011 Melexis has unveiled its second generation solution for TPMS, which combines the MLX91801 Pressure Sensor and MLX72013 RF Transmitter. The TPMS module can be associated to the MLX71122 Multi-Channel RF Receiver in order to build a complete highly integrated solution, compliant with existing Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) systems. Read more

September 9, 2011 Chipmaker Melexis has licensed SoftKinectic's DepthSense range-sensing technology and plans to use it to implement a collision avoidance system. The versatile system will also be used for other automotive systems in the future. Read more

July 15, 2011 The MLX90807 and MLX90808 fully integrated, relative and absolute pressure sensor die are realized with CMOS technology combined with MEMS bulk micromachining. These monolithic solutions are both fully automotive qualified. Each consists of a silicon membrane with piezoresistors to transform the stress induced by pressure into an electrical signal. An analog signal chain interacting with a digital core, including programmable memory, allows full calibration on chip in order to achieve an optimized transfer function over the desired working pressure and temperature range. Read more

June 24, 2011 Melexis has launched its 3rd generation of contactless MEMs infrared temperature sensors. The high accuracy of the newest member of the MLX90614 family makes it suitable for limitless applications in automotive, medical, industrial and consumer markets. Read more

May 30, 2011 With a new generation of tri-axial sensors, Melexis addresses the needs of challenging applications in harsh automotive environments: EGR Valves, Turbo Wastegate Actuators, Electronic Throttle Body solutions, Steering angle, Suspension Height, Transmission Clutch; Shift and Fork position and Human Machine Interface are among the problems to be solved with the sensors. Read more

May 18, 2011 Vehicle manufacturers are increasingly appreciating the benefits of brushless DC (BLDC) motor control as a response to the challenges of making their fleet meet legal fuel economy regulations. Brushless DC motor control typically increases efficiency 20% to 30% compared to equivalent speed controlled DC solutions. Furthermore they may offer a weight and size reduction of up to 50% especially in high temperature environments like in the power train. Electric and hybrid vehicles generate less noise especially at lower speeds, making low noise BLDC motors the preferred solutions for pumps and fans that have been taken off the belt. Read more

April 6, 2011 Past February, Rudi De Winter has been appointed co-CEO for semiconductor foundry X-Fab. Since his appointment took place shortly after X-Fab had released nine-month figures in red ink, speculations circulated that the move was aiming at a major course correction or a generational handover in the company. De Winter knows X-Fab very well: During the past 14 years he was CEO of fabless automotive chipmaker Melexis SA, a major customer of X-Fab. Read more

February 28, 2011 Melexis has developed a high dynamic range image sensor for use in a broad range of markets – automotive driver assistance and night vision applications applications in the first place. The camera sensor chip can also be used in security/surveillance cameras, fleet safety cameras, truck blind spot cameras, transportation/heavy vehicle cameras, and other outdoor and all weather cameras, the vendor said. Read more

October 18, 2010 Melexis extends its family of smart LIN slave IC's with a new generation of reconfigurable LIN switch slave chips. The MLX80104 is designed to interface with any door, roof, seat, steering wheel, dashboard, HVAC, light control or similar switch module as well as for other application require an easy access via LIN. Read more

July 7, 2010 The crisis of 2009 has shaken up the European automotive electronics landscape. According to market researcher Strategy Analytics, the market driver number one was the demand for systems helping car vendors to reduce fuel consumption. Read more

April 22, 2010 Automotive chip manufacturer Melexis NV (Ieper, Belgium) reports an impressive return to growth and profitability, driven by mainly the rising demand for sensors and actuators associated to the CO2 reduction for vehicles. Read more