CambridgeIC technology offers 4 times more measurement precision and 5 times more speed

CambridgeIC's resonant inductive technology is for embedded measurement of angular and linear position. The CAM502 high-speed processor is now available, together with a range of compatible sensors for measuring angular position with high precision. CambridgeIC’s CAM502 high-speed processor is now available. The chip connects to resonant inductive sensors built from simple PCBs, measures the linear or angular position of a contactless target and can deliver 5000 independent position samples per second. This is five times faster than the previous generation, delivering an attractive solution for motor control and other applications requiring robust, responsive and precise position feedback. Also newly available is a range of Precision Through-Hole Rotary Sensors. These integrate two different pitches of sensor tracks onto the same physical PCB to increase noise free resolution to 14 bits, two bits more (four times) the previous generation. Large central holes in both the sensor and target mean they can be mounted around a rotating shaft. CambridgeIC’s patented balanced design means the parts are immune to misalignments, so they can be installed without special alignment and calibration and do not need their own bearings and couplings. These simplifications enable customers to deeply embed the technology to deliver compact and cost effective product designs. Each CAM502 chip connects to and processes one Precision Through-Hole Rotary Sensor, dedicating its processing power to the one sensor for maximum speed. This configuration is suited to motor control, where low latency and precision are required for smoothness and efficiency. Alternatively, CambridgeIC’s CAM204 chip can connect to two Precision Through-Hole Rotary Sensors, making it an especially effective solution for 2-axis systems measuring angle at the point of load. A typical application is pan and tilt angle feedback, for example in surveillance cameras. The CAM204 provides angle feedback inside a position control loop, so that the camera is pointed in exactly the right direction irrespective of any backlash or other compliance in the drive train between motor and load. Another pan and tilt application is solar thermal power generation. Usually located in a desert, huge numbers of individual mirrors capture the sun’s rays and reflect them onto a collecting tower. Each mirror’s angle must be precisely controlled in real time for efficient operation. The application requires precise yet robust position feedback elements with a long life in a harsh environment, making resonant inductive technology a close fit. David Ely, a founder and director of CambridgeIC, comments: “We are pleased to finally publish details of these new products. They have been in use inside lead customer products for over two years, allowing us to verify their robustness and manufacturability ready for a wider market introduction.” Image: CambridgeIC's CAM502 high-speed CTU processing chip Cambridge Integrated Circuits Ltd is a fabless semiconductor company located in Cambridge, UK. We develop novel contactless sensing solutions that help our customers build innovative electromechanical systems.