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What is Magnetic Sensor : Top Manufacturers & Vendors

A magnetic sensor is an electronic device that detects and measures magnetic fields, magnetic flux density, or changes in magnetic position. These sensors are widely used in automotive systems, industrial automation, consumer electronics, medical devices, navigation equipment and smart sensing applications requiring accurate position, speed, or proximity detection.

About Magnetic Sensors:

A magnetic sensor is a device that detects magnetic fields. When selecting a magnetic sensor, consider the following technical specifications:

  • Sensitivity or Transfer: (V/T or V/A·m, A/T, Hz/T…) - How much the output changes for a given change in magnetic field.
  • Absolute Accuracy: The overall accuracy of the sensor’s readings.
  • Power Spectral Noise Density: (in T²/Hz) - The noise level of the sensor.
  • Bandwidth: The range of frequencies the sensor can accurately measure.
  • Operating Temperature: The temperature range in which the sensor functions correctly.
  • Full Scale: The maximum range of magnetic field the sensor can measure.
  • Dynamic Range: (dB) - The ratio between the largest and smallest magnetic fields the sensor can measure.
  • Slew Rate: (T/s) - How quickly the sensor can respond to changes in the magnetic field.
  • Distortion vs. Frequency: (%) - How much the sensor distorts the signal at different frequencies.
  • Linearity Error: (%FS) - The deviation from a perfectly linear response across the full scale.
  • Resolution: The smallest change in magnetic field the sensor can detect.

Magnetic Sensor Vendors and Manufacturers

Vendor/ManufacturerPart Number(s)Description
NXP SemiconductorMAG3110Magnetometer
InfineonTLV493D-A1B6
Fargo ControlsN/AOffers proximity sensors of magnetic, inductive, and capacitive types.
MEMSICMMC328xMA, MMC3316xMT3-axis magnetic sensors
TIDRV421Magnetic current sensor
VernierN/AManufactures magnetic field sensors.
SICKN/AMagnetic proximity sensors based on the magnetic sensing principle.
Phoenix AmericaN/AOffers magnetic sensors and magnetic encoders.
Littelfuse, USAN/ALeader in magnetic sensing solutions, providing reed sensors, reed switches, Hall effect sensors, and reed relays.
TE ConnectivityKMT32BMagnetic field sensor
Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.N/AAMR Sensors or Magnetic Sensors
Red Lion, USAMP75TX
Analog DevicesAD22151

Summary

A magnetic sensor detects magnetic fields and converts them into electrical signals for measurement and control applications. Leading manufacturers provide magnetic sensors for automotive, industrial, consumer, healthcare, and IoT systems.