The Micronix division of the IXYS Corporation has introduced a family of low-cost, micro-power Hall-effect switches. The MX887P, MX887D and MX887U are designed as reed-switch replacements for a variety of commercial, industrial and automotive applications. These micro-powered Hall-effect switches feature ultralow-offset canceling amplifiers for sensitive, accurate and stable switch points, as well as immunity to mechanical stress and solid-state reliability.

The MX887 family has a wide input operating voltage range of 2.5 V to 5.5 V that is well suited for battery-powered applications. The on-chip power management circuitry reduces the effective average operating current to just 5 microamperes at 3 V, making these devices among the lowest-power devices in the industry. The switch output is activated by omnipolar magnetic fields with as little as ±60 Gauss, providing excellent sensitivity and enabling the use of low-cost magnets. Three simple digital output interface options are available: the MX887P configured with a CMOS push-pull output, the MX887D with an nMOS open-drain, pull-down output; and the MX887U with a pMOS open-drain, pull-up output. All MX887 switches are available in lead-free, TSOT-23, 3-lead, RoHS compliant packages.

The price levels associated with the MX887 are compatible with the cost-sensitive manufacturing requirements of high volume, and handheld consumer devices; standard lead time is 16 weeks or less.

Micronix, a company that specializes in the design of high-performance analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits, has produced more than 400 application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and application-specific standard products (ASSPs) for the display, communications, consumer and medical markets. The company is a subsidiary of IXYS Corporation, a supplier of higher-power semiconductors and modules for the global power market.