The MLX90371 from Melexis NV - compact 3D position sensor for harsh environments
26.06.2026 - 04:35:31 | ad-hoc-news.de
Reviewed: ad hoc news Lifestyle & Consumer desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-26, 04:35. Details in the imprint.
The MLX90371 from Melexis sits on an engineer's workbench like an unremarkable black speck, yet a slight twist of a test knob makes its digital output trace glide smoothly across the laptop screen. In a steering module or throttle pedal this tiny chip translates motion into numbers that a car can trust.
What the MLX90371 actually does
At its core the MLX90371 is a 3D Hall effect position sensor that measures the magnetic field components along multiple axes and computes absolute position over 360 degrees. It targets automotive pedals, throttle bodies and steering modules where precise angular feedback is critical.
The chip can output position via analog voltage or digital SENT, and Melexis offers programmable transfer characteristics so Tier 1 engineers can fine-tune output curves to their mechanics. In practice that means less mechanical rework and more room to optimize feel at the pedal or the steering wheel.
Built for heat, vibration and redundancy
Melexis product manager Frédéric Ballet often points out in presentations that the MLX90371 has to survive under the bonnet where temperatures and vibrations would quickly expose weak designs. The sensor is qualified for the AEC-Q100 automotive standard and supports operating temperatures up to around 160 °C, depending on the package.
The device is designed with ISO 26262 functional safety in mind, offering ASIL-ready diagnostics so it can be part of systems up to ASIL C when used in appropriate architectures. That matters when an accelerator pedal or steering angle sensor becomes part of the safety concept instead of just a comfort feature.
Background on Melexis NV and its sensors
From position sensing to motor drivers, Melexis NV has built a focused portfolio around automotive electronics, and the MLX90371 sits at the heart of its magnetic sensing strategy.
Package, integration and feel in use
The MLX90371 comes in compact SOIC and single-mold packages that can sit close to a small magnet on a shaft or pedal arm. In a demo housing you can feel almost no mechanical play, yet the output responds to every millimeter of movement without visible jitter on the oscilloscope trace.
For integrators that means fewer compromises between housing size and sensing accuracy. The device's programmable linearization and temperature compensation help keep the feel consistent from a cold morning start to a hot traffic jam in midsummer.
Where it shines and where limits appear
Compared with earlier Melexis sensors, the MLX90371 stands out with its 3D Hall capability and design for higher functional safety classes. That makes it attractive for steering and transmission applications where redundancy and diagnostics are now expected rather than optional extras.
However, the chip does not integrate an on-board microcontroller or advanced digital interfaces beyond SENT and analog, so OEMs looking for direct CAN or LIN connectivity still need external components. In tight cost targets that extra bill-of-materials line can be a talking point between Tier 1 suppliers and purchasing teams.
Context and Melexis shares
Melexis NV has carved out a profitable niche as a specialist supplier of automotive ICs, with magnetic position sensors like the MLX90371 feeding into growth areas such as electric power steering and drive-by-wire controls. Melexis shares (ISIN BE0165385973) trade primarily on Euronext Brussels, where investors watch sensor demand as a proxy for the company's long-term automotive exposure.
Key facts on the MLX90371 sensor
- Product: MLX90371
- Manufacturer: Melexis NV
- Category: Lifestyle/Consumer (automotive electronics in daily driving)
- Launch: Around the mid-2010s, as part of Melexis' 3D Hall sensor family
- RRP / Price: Typically sold in volume to automotive suppliers, with per-unit pricing negotiated by quantity rather than public list price
- Availability: Supplied directly to automotive Tier 1s and via specialist distributors in Europe, Asia and North America
- Target group: Automotive engineers designing accelerator pedals, throttle bodies, steering angle modules and similar position-sensing applications
- Highlight / USP: 3D Hall position sensing with analog or SENT output, qualified for harsh automotive environments and suitable for ISO 26262 ASIL architectures
This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without guarantee; prices and availability may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions involve risks up to total loss.
