A new sensing approach improves current measurement in electric-vehicle powertrains, helping engineers develop more efficient, compact, and precise traction inverter systems.
A new multiaxial current-sensing architecture aims to address one of the key design trade-offs in electric and hybrid vehicle traction inverters: achieving highly accurate current measurement without increasing system size and weight. Texas Instruments has introduced the TMCS2100-Q1, a multiaxial coreless Hall-effect current sensor designed for HEV and EV traction inverter applications. Unlike conventional coreless current sensors that measure magnetic fields along a single axis, the new device simultaneously measures magnetic fields in horizontal and vertical directions.
This multiaxial approach is designed to reduce errors caused by mechanical displacement and vibration. In traction inverter systems, movement between a sensor and its conductor can affect the accuracy of single-axis measurements. By capturing magnetic field information across two axes and processing it with a proprietary algorithm, it can compensate more effectively for displacement-related measurement errors.
The architecture is claimed to deliver up to 20 times greater accuracy than single-axis coreless alternatives. More accurate current sensing can improve the powertrain torque control loop, helping electric motors maintain smoother power delivery and operate more efficiently under changing load and thermal conditions.
The key features are:
- Multiaxial Hall-effect magnetic field measurement
- Simultaneous horizontal and vertical sensing
- Reduced vibration and displacement-related errors
- Coreless architecture without busbar modification
- Designed for compact, power-dense traction inverters
Current sensing is a critical function inside a traction inverter, where electrical current flowing through a busbar is monitored to control the motor. Traditional magnetic-core solutions can provide high accuracy but add bulk and weight. Coreless alternatives reduce system size but can be more susceptible to displacement error and magnetic interference.
It takes a different approach by eliminating the magnetic core while retaining high measurement precision. Its multiaxial sensing architecture can also reduce the need for modifications to the busbar, such as notches, holes, or slices, potentially simplifying mechanical and thermal design.
For automotive engineers developing increasingly compact and power-dense traction inverters, the technology could offer greater flexibility in board layout and mechanical integration. Improved current measurement may also help reduce torque ripple, contributing to smoother vehicle operation and more efficient use of electrical energy. The sensor is now available in production quantities for automotive traction inverter development.
Click here for the original announcement.
