Page 54 - EE Times Europe Magazine – November 2023

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PARTNER CONTENT
iSentek’s Cutting-Edge E-Compass Sets New

Standards With Dynamic Range Breakthrough

By Max Lai, Founding Chairman & CEO, iSentek (generated from an interview)

aiwan’s leading magnetic sensor provider, iSentek, is ready to
introduce its latest e-compass series, IST8320. This advanced device
is anticipated to establish itself as a preeminent e-compass, boasting
T an expansive dynamic range of up to 10 milliteslas (mT).

INHERENT LIMITATIONS OF PREVIOUS smartphones, such as magnetic pens, wireless
E-COMPASS MAGNETOMETERS charging rings, speakers and voice coil motors.
It’s crucial to recognize the deficiencies of This interference caused compass readings to
older-generation e-compass magnetometers skew, leaving users disoriented and manufac-
that have hindered the full potential of smart- turers grappling with the challenge of design
phone navigation. These legacy devices, while layouts that could mitigate this issue.
remarkable, were fraught with limitations. Figure 1 demonstrates the influence of
Chief among these drawbacks was their the charging ring regarding magnetic-field
limited sensitivity, typically maxing out at a interference on the smartphone.
range of 3–5 mT. This restriction significantly
hampered their ability to provide precise FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS OF IST8320 At the core of the IST8320’s differentiation
orientation data, especially in environments MAGNETOMETER is its state-of-the-art Hall sensor technology,
with strong magnetic fields. The conse- iSentek’s IST8320 magnetometer is poised capable of delivering unparalleled accuracy
quences? Unreliable navigation apps and to revolutionize the smartphone industry. even in the presence of strong magnetic fields
augmented-reality (AR) experiences—a far iSentek’s latest design redefines the bound- and electronic interference. This means that
cry from the seamless integration we demand aries of what’s possible in magnetometry, smartphone users can now enjoy precise and
from our smartphones. offering the widest dynamic range ever reliable compass data, opening up a world of
In addition, magnetometers previously witnessed in a magnetometer, with an aston- possibilities for AR gaming, location-based
often succumbed to magnetic interference ishing capability to detect magnetic fields up services and navigation applications.
from nearby electronic components for to 10 mT (typical range is 7 mT).
APPLICATIONS IN THE SMARTPHONE
MARKET
The IST8320 magnetometer promises to be
a game-changer in the smartphone market,
endowing manufacturers with a powerful tool
to enhance the user experience (see Figure 2).
From AR applications that seamlessly blend
the digital and physical worlds to navigation
with precision previously unattainable, the
IST8320 sets a new standard for e-compass
technology in smartphones.
With its exceptional sensitivity and
dynamic range, along with its built-in FIFO
function and compact design, gone are the
days of bewildering compass readings and
labyrinthine design layouts to evade magnetic
interference. The IST8320 beckons a bright
future where smartphones cease to be mere
communication devices and instead emerge
as unwavering guides in our digital journey.
A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE
iSentek continues to develop Hall-effect, AMR
and TMR technologies, which utilize different
operating principles and are tailor-made to
meet the unique demands of diverse markets.
This underscores iSentek’s unwavering commit-
ment to pushing the boundaries of technology
and offering a diverse range of solutions.

NOVEMBER 2023 | www.eetimes.eu