Integrated Circuits
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Products for Linear and Angle Position Measurement
Integrated Circuits
CambridgeIC’s Central Tracking Unit (CTU) chips are single-chip processors for position measurement. They implement the electronic processing for resonant inductive position sensing technology, and support a number of different sensor types, including rotary and linear.
CTU chips measure the position of contactless, inductively coupled targets relative to sensors that are built from printed circuit boards to CambridgeIC’s design.
CambridgeIC uses the chip prefix CAM for its integrated circuits, including CTU inductive position sensor chips.
Inductive Targets
Targets electronically mark moving parts, and allow their position to be sensed with resonant inductive technology. They are inductively coupled to a sensor, so that no electrical or mechanical contact is required.
Inside targets there is an inductor connected to a capacitor, forming a resonant circuit.
Inside targets there is an inductor connected to a capacitor, forming a resonant circuit.
Rotary Sensors
CambridgeIC's resonant inductive position sensors measure the precise position of a target. They are built using conventional PCB technology, which is accurate, stable and cost effective. Sensors work with CambridgeIC’s Central Tracking Unit (CTU) family of single chip processors to provide high-quality position data to a host device.
These non-contact inductive rotary sensors are available as Sensor Blueprints in Gerber format, to enable integration with a customer’s own PCB. They are also available as assembled sensors for evaluation, customer prototyping and low-volume production.
A selection of inductive rotary sensors with different diameters and performance grades is available.
| Overview of Rotary Sensor Types | Type 1 | Type 6 |
| Electrical Design | 3 coil | 5 coil |
| Mechanical Design | Usually end-shaft | Usually through-shaft |
| Max number linear and/or rotary sensors connected to CAM204 IC |
4 (2 if Type 4 circuitry) |
2 |
| Max number connected to CAM502 IC | Not allowed | 1 |
Linear Sensors
CambridgeIC's resonant inductive position sensors measure the precise position of a target. They are built using conventional PCB technology, which is accurate, stable and cost effective. Sensors work with CambridgeIC’s Central Tracking Unit (CTU) family of single chip processors to provide high-quality position data to a host device.
These non-contact inductive linear sensors are available as Sensor Blueprints in Gerber format, to enable integration with a customer’s own PCB. They are also available as assembled sensors for evaluation, customer prototyping and low-volume production.
Tools and Accesories
A selection of development tools is available to assist the evaluation and integration of CambridgeIC's technology.
Arc Position Sensors
Cambridge IC’s Arc Position Sensors are built using conventional PCB technology which is accurate, stable and cost effective. Arc Position Sensors measure angle with a sensor arranged along an arc. This means the sensor is positioned away from the rotation axis (off-axis angle sensor) so that it does not interfere with mechanical parts along the axis, for example bearings, shafts and gearboxes. Arc sensors are for when the measuring range is less than 360°. By matching the sensor range to the needs of the application, the sensor can be made compact and delivers maximum sensing performance across the measuring range.
Sensors work with CambridgeIC’s Central Tracking Unit (CTU) family of single chip processors to provide high-quality position data to a host device.
These non-contact arc sensors are available as Sensor Blueprints in Gerber format, to enable integration with a customer’s own PCB. They are also available as assembled sensors for evaluation, customer prototyping and low-volume production.
CAM312 CTU Datasheet