Position feedback is a core part of automation, robotics, and motion control. Every motor, actuator, and joint depends on accurate position data, but traditional magnetic and optical encoders can make that harder than it should be. They add moving parts, require alignment, and often need recalibration over time. Renesas has taken a cleaner route with a new family of magnet-free inductive position sensor (IPS) ICs that combine precision and durability with simpler mechanical design.
The new series includes three parts — RAA2P3226, RAA2P3200, and RAA2P4200. Each one targets a different area of industrial and robotic control, from high-speed motors to compact, low-power systems. Alongside the hardware, Renesas has launched a web-based design tool that lets engineers create and optimise coil layouts directly in the browser. It takes a lot of the guesswork out of inductive sensing and helps teams move from idea to prototype faster.
Magnet-Free Position Sensing
Instead of magnets or optical sensors, these ICs rely on a non-contact coil structure and a metal target. The chip measures how induced currents shift as the target moves, converting those changes into accurate position data. It can handle rotary, linear, or arc motion depending on how the coils are arranged.
Because the system doesn’t depend on magnets, it avoids issues with stray magnetic fields. It also holds up in environments that would challenge optical encoders. High temperatures, vibration, dust, or moisture don’t cause signal drift, and there’s no contact wear to degrade accuracy over time.
All three devices maintain stable operation across –40°C to 125°C, with no need for recalibration. For engineers working on long-life equipment such as service robots, factory automation, or motor drives, that reliability saves maintenance costs and reduces downtime.
Inside the New Sensor Family
The RAA2P3226 offers the highest precision in the group, achieving 19-bit resolution and 0.01° absolute accuracy. It suits robotic joints, automation systems, and other precision mechanisms that rely on fine angular feedback. It includes UART, ABI, Step-Dir, and I²C outputs, plus automatic gain control and 16-point linearization for consistent accuracy.
The RAA2P3200 targets fast-moving systems such as motor commutation or e-bike controllers. It supports SPI, UART, ABI, UVW, and Step-Dir interfaces and operates at up to 600K RPM (electrical) with a propagation delay of less than 100 nanoseconds. Built-in protection guards against reverse polarity, overvoltage, and short circuits.
For slower applications, the RAA2P4200 uses a single-coil design to save cost and space. It supports analog, PWM, and I²C outputs and is suited to power tools, healthcare equipment, and other compact designs.
Simplifying Coil Design
To make integration easier, Renesas has released the Inductive Position Sensor Coil Optimizer, a web-based tool that automates coil layout and simulation. Designing a coil manually takes time and experience, but this tool lets engineers model and adjust coil geometry, predict performance, and export results ready for PCB manufacturing.
That means fewer prototypes, shorter development cycles, and less dependence on specialised knowledge. For many teams, it could make inductive sensing practical for the first time.
Why It Matters
Inductive sensors are gaining traction as an alternative to magnetic and optical encoders because they’re stable, compact, and resistant to environmental interference. Renesas is pushing this approach further with a product family that scales from high-speed motors to precision robotics, backed by an accessible online design tool. The combination gives engineers a more flexible way to bring accurate position feedback into their systems.
Learn more and read the original article on www.renesas.com
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