Inductive sensor AFEs
Position detection of conductive targets with contactless magnet-free sensing
Achieve sub-micron resolution in position sensing applications with inductive sensor analog front ends (AFEs) and inductance-to-digital (LDC) converters that are immune to direct current (DC) magnetic fields and do not require magnets for operation. The contactless nature of our inductive sensor AFEs allow them to remain reliable in harsh environments.
Featured inductive sensor AFEs
Design & development resources
Reference design
Inductive Touch Stainless Steel Keypad Reference Design for Waterproof/Noise Immune HMI Applications
This 16-button stainless steel keypad, which utilizes TI's inductive touch technology, demonstrates highly sensitive buttons on a single piece of 0.6mm thick stainless steel metal. The design utilizes a MUXed approach to implement many buttons with a single LDC1614. The design is (...)
Reference design
Inductive Sensing 32-Position Encoder Knob Reference Design using the LDC0851
An inductive sensing based incremental encoder knob design can provide a robust and low-cost interface for control inputs. It can reliably operate in environments which have dirt, moisture, or oil which would pose issues for alternate sensing technologies. This solution requires no magnets.
Evaluation board
Reference Coil Board Evaluation Module
The LDCCOILEVM is designed to provide maximum flexibility for system prototyping and allow for experimentation with different coil sizes. It includes 19 unique types of PCB coils that range from long rectangular asymmetric coils to small circular coils 3mm in diameter. Every coil is separated by (...)
Benefits of our inductive sensor AFEs
Interactive touch buttons
Design reliable contactless buttons that operate underwater and in other harsh environments in the presence of gloves.
Event counting
Implement reliable, simple solutions for incremental encoder knobs and event counting of up to 300 events per second.
Metal proximity detection
Detect the presence of conductive materials with micrometer precision in proximity or position sensing applications.
TI's inductive sensing advantages
Touch-button applications
Acheive simple, reliable and long-lasting touch-button solutions with inductive sensor AFEs
Benefits:
- The inductive coil's ability to detect various levels of force applied to the surface enables multilevel functionality.
- Less wear and tear on the button surfaces leads to a longer shelf life compared to traditional mechanical buttons.
- Reliable performance in debris-ridden environments.
- No cutouts, holes or moving parts.
- Responsive to gloved fingers.
Application note
Common Inductive and Capacitive Sensing Applications (Rev. B)
This application report discusses four inductive and capacitive sensing applications, highlighting the benefits of using the technologies and resources available to combat the design challenges in each application.
Application note
Inductive Touch System Design Guide for HMI Button Applications (Rev. A)
The Inductive Touch System Design Guide presents an overview of the typical sensor mechanical structure and sensor electrical design for human machine interface (HMI) button applications.
Application brief
Inductive Touch Buttons for Wearables (Rev. A)
Learn how to use inductive touch buttons for wearable applications.
Featured products for button pressing
Incremental encoding
Use inductive sensor AFEs to detect increments and decrements in position
Benefits:
- No calibration required.
- Low cost.
- Dust and dirt resistant.
- Not affected by magnets.
- Can measure more than 300 events per second.
- Minimal microcontroller memory and instructions required.
Application note
Common Inductive and Capacitive Sensing Applications (Rev. B)
This application report discusses four inductive and capacitive sensing applications, highlighting the benefits of using the technologies and resources available to combat the design challenges in each application.
Application note
Sensor Design for Inductive Sensing Applications Using LDC (Rev. C)
This application note covers the parameters to consider when designing a sensor for specific inductive sensing applications.
Featured products for incremental encoding
Metal proximity detection
Detect the strength, proximity and presence of metal with inductive sensor AFEs
Benefits:
- Can detect the presence and proximity of metal, the level of compression of a spring and measure the speed and position of a rotational system (like gear tooth counting, for example) to meet system needs
- Can detect the presence, strength and proximity of an external metal to prevent tampering
- Sensor is simply a PCB coil and the target is any metallic material, which enables smaller form factors and lower costs
- Has a sensing distance of up to 200% of coil diameter with LDC161x family to be able to acheive longer range sensing
Application note
Common Inductive and Capacitive Sensing Applications (Rev. B)
This application report discusses four inductive and capacitive sensing applications, highlighting the benefits of using the technologies and resources available to combat the design challenges in each application.
Application note
Inductive Sensing for LDC3114 Metal Proximity Detection
This application report discusses the common use cases, benefits and design flow for TI’s LDC sensors when used in metal proximity sensing.
Featured products for metal proximity detection
External magnetic field immunity
Gain immunity to external magnetic fields that could disrupt your system with inductive sensor AFEs
Benefits:
- Inherent immunity to broadband noise and targeted frequency ranges that fall outside the resonant frequency range.
- Internal electromagnetic interference (EMI) and deglitch filters prevent high-frequency signals from disrupting the circuitry after the sensors, increasing resiliency to EMI.
- The prevention of external magnetic fields from affecting device and system behavior acts as a safety feature.
Application note
EMI Considerations for Inductive Sensing
This application note explains various EMI reduction techniques to help reduce EMI when using TI's inductance-to-digital converters (LDCs).
Application note
Electromagnetic Interference Testing Using the LDC3114
Learn how the LDC3114 handles electromagnetic interference.
Featured products for external magnetic field immunity
High speed rotational position sensing
High speed rotational position sensing
Benefits:
- Integrated analog front-end IC for contact-less, inductive position sensors for absolute rotary position from 0° to 360°
- High resolution and accuracy of ≤ 1 degree at rotational speeds up to 480,000 RPM
- Functional Safety-Compliant with LDC5072-Q1 with systematic and hardware capability up to ASIL C
- Supports operation in harsh environments; immune to stray magnetic fields, dirt, and contamination
- Extensive IC, sensor input, output, and supply pin diagnostics
White paper
Auto Functional Safety and How TI is Helping Customers W/ High-Precision Sensors
Learn how TI products including LDC5072-Q1 can be used to support automotive functional safety.
User guide
Sensor Design Tool Getting Started and Troubleshooting Guide
Guidance on how to download and install the LDC5072 sensor design tool.
Featured products for rotational position sensing
LDC5071-Q1ACTIVE
Automotive inductive position sensor AFE with sine/cosine interface
LDC5072-Q1ACTIVE
Automotive inductive position sensor front end with sine/cosine interface
Technical resources
Application note
Common Inductive and Capacitive Sensing Applications (Rev. B)
Learn about the benefits of using inductive and capacitive sensing technology, and explore our design resources.
Application note
LDC Device Selection Guide (Rev. D)
Read this selection guide to determine the best inductive sensing (LDC) device for your design.
Video series
Build your expertise with TI Precision Labs - Inductive Sensing
This modular on-demand curriculum includes hands-on training videos that combine theory and applied exercises to bring you up-to-speed with inductive sensing design, key common applications and resources.
Discover featured applications
Appliances
Optimize performance, durability and safety with inductive sensor AFEs for appliance designs
Optimize performance, durability and safety with inductive sensor AFEs for appliance designs
Our inductive sensor AFEs enable functionality such as placement detection, grip detection, gear detection, nail detection, dial and knob rotation, and button pressing in appliances including vacuum robots, cordless power tools, washers and dryers, cooktops, and refrigerators.
Benefits:
- Magnetless inductive sensing means no magnetic interference.
- Can work with gloves on and in harsh or dirty environments.
- Can be used for metal proximity detection.
- Simple implementation to fit your system.
- Switch functionality offered with the LDC0851.
Featured resources
END-EQUIPMENT / SUB-SYSTEM
PRODUCTS
HARDWARE DEVELOPMENT
- BOOST-LDC3114EVM – LDC3114 evaluation module for inductive sensing
- LDC0851EVM – LDC0851EVM - High Accuracy Inductive Switch with Stacked Coils Evaluation Module
- LDC1314EVM – LDC1314 Evaluation Module for Inductance to Digital Converter with Sample PCB Coils
Building automation
Gain high performance while optimizing cost and simplicity with inductive sensor AFEs
Gain high performance while optimizing cost and simplicity with inductive sensor AFEs
Efficiently perform sensing such as tamper detection and open and close detection in applications such as electronic smart locks, wireless security cameras, and door and window sensors.
Benefits:
- Can detect the presence, strength and proximity of an external tampering metal.
- Eliminates the need for an expensive magnet.
- Simple implementation to fit your system.
- Switch functionality offered with the LDC0851.
Featured resources
END-EQUIPMENT / SUB-SYSTEM
REFERENCE DESIGNS
- TIDA-01377 – Case Tamper Detection Reference Design Using Inductive Sensing
PRODUCTS
HARDWARE DEVELOPMENT
- LDC0851EVM – LDC0851EVM - High Accuracy Inductive Switch with Stacked Coils Evaluation Module
Achieve high resolution and high accuracy with our inductive sensors in traction inverters, braking systems. motor actuators and servo drives
Achieve high resolution and high accuracy with our inductive sensors in traction inverters, braking systems. motor actuators and servo drives
Inductive position sensors for the automotive and industrial markets enable absolute and high-accuracy angle measurements across rotary and linear displacement solutions.
Benefits:
- Removes the need for magnets.
- Immune to stray magnetic fields.
- Easy integration with systems designed for position sensing using sine and cosine inputs.
- Replaces bulky and expensive resolvers.
- Supports very high rotation speeds with linearity <1 degree at 480,000 RPMs with proper sense coil design.
- Cost-optimized printed circuit board-based solution.
- Supports redundant system designs for functional safety.
Featured resources
END-EQUIPMENT / SUB-SYSTEM
PRODUCTS
- LDC5072-Q1 – Automotive inductive position sensor front end with sine/cosine interface
- LDC5071-Q1 – Automotive inductive position sensor AFE with sine/cosine interface
HARDWARE DEVELOPMENT
- LDC5072Q1EVM – LDC5072-Q1 evaluation module for inductive position sensor interface with sine/cosine outputs
DESIGN TOOLS AND SIMULATION
- LDC507X-SENSOR-DESIGN-TOOL – LDC507x design tool for PCB sensors to estimate motor position
Smartwatch
Detect button press in smartwatches while optimizing PCB space with inductive sensors
Detect button press in smartwatches while optimizing PCB space with inductive sensors
Inductive sensors in smartwatches can be used to detect when the user presses a button to make a selection or set time.
Benefits:
- Wafer chip scale package (WCSP) at 1.6mm x 1.6mm
- Baseline tracking algorithim keeps digital thresholds consistent in light of environmental factors such as temperature drift and deformation of button surface
- Resistant to dirt, dust, debris and water
- Contactless method of sensing allows for more durability and reliability than mechanical switches
Featured resources
END-EQUIPMENT / SUB-SYSTEM
PRODUCTS
HARDWARE DEVELOPMENT
- LDC2114EVM – LDC2114 1.8V 4-Channel Inductive Touch Evaluation Module
- LDCTOUCHCOMCOILEVM – Inductive Touch Sensor Coil Evaluation Board
DESIGN TOOLS AND SIMULATION
- LDC-DESIGN-TOOLS – Inductive sensing calculator tools