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In This Issue
August 27, 2026
• WLCSP Analog Magnetic Sensors
• Instrumentation Amplifiers with Magnetic Sensors
Ultraminiature
WLCSP Analog Magnetic Sensors
We're introducing our first analog
magnetic sensors in an ultraminiature WLCS
package. The small size means these sensors are perfect for tight spaces and provide
unmatched spatial sensitivity and precision.
Applications include precise industrial controls, gas and water meters, portable
instruments, electromagnetic navigation, and single-cell battery or harvested power applications.
High Sensitivity
The ALT022-20E has a remarkable sensitivity of 300 mV/V/mT, providing a typical
output of 375 millivolts at 0.25 millitesla with a five-volt supply
and no amplification. The sensor can detect
fields as low as 100 nT without filtering.
Ultraminiature for Spatial Sensitivity
At just 0.55 x 0.55 mm, the ALT022-20E is the world's smallest high-sensitivity
magnetometer. The small size makes it ideal for tight spaces and provides unmatched
spatial sensitivity and precision.
Simple Interface
The sensors are configured as a Wheatstone bridge with just four connections—two
for power and two for the output. They can be powered by any supply from zero
to 10 volts. The 10 kiloohm output impedance allows direct interface
to ADCs, microprocessors, or amplifiers.
Breakout Boards
Available 0.8 x 0.4-inch (21 x 10 mm) breakout
boards have pre-soldered WLCSP 
sensors, 0.1-inch headers, and 1-mm-pitch card-edge connectors.
Best-in-Class Specifications
Key specifications are summarized as follows:
• 300 mV/V/mT sensitivity
• 3 nT/Hz1/2 @ 1 Hz detectivity
• 0 to 10 V supply
• <200 µA supply current at 3.3 V
• -40 to 125°C temperature range
• 0.55 x 0.55 mm four-pad solder-bumped WLCSP
See it Work
This video demonstrates the small size and extraordinary sensitivity of these
sensors:
Finding a Needle
in a Haystack
We demonstrate how these high-sensitivity sensors can be used to literally find
a needle in a haystack:
Download the datasheet
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Sensor
Reference Design Corner |
 Using
Instrumentation Amplifiers with Magnetic Sensors
Instrumentation amplifiers
are a simple, convenient way to buffer, amplify, and create single-ended outputs
for bridge magnetometers. Although they cost more than op amps, instrumentation
amplifiers deliver good performance and a low parts count.
Boards for instrumentation amplifiers like the low-cost AD623 are widely available
and connect easily to various NVE sensor evaluation boards. |
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WLCSP
magnetometer breakout board.
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Typical
instrumentation
amplifier board.
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Breakout boards such as those for our new high-sensitivity magnetometers (left)
can be used with the amplifier (right).
The output is up to 200 millivolts per volt, so a gain of four provides a
nearly rail-to-rail output:
This circuit provides a sensitive, bipolar, single-ended output. Here's a live
demonstration:
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