Texas Instruments Unveils Two-Axis Hall-Effect Current Sensor for EV Traction Inverters
The TMCS2100-Q1 measures magnetic fields horizontally and vertically to reduce vibration-induced error in high-voltage powertrains.
Texas Instruments has introduced the TMCS2100-Q1, a coreless Hall-effect current sensor designed for hybrid and electric vehicle traction inverters that measures magnetic fields on two axes rather than one.
What Happened
The TMCS2100-Q1 measures the magnetic field around a conductor in both horizontal and vertical directions simultaneously. Texas Instruments reports displacement error of less than 1% at 0.4 mm of movement, reaching as low as 0.25% at 0.1 mm. The company claims this multiaxial approach is 20 times more accurate than single-axis coreless alternatives. Single-axis differential coreless sensors lose accuracy when vibration causes spacing changes between the sensor and conductor. By measuring both axes at once, the TMCS2100-Q1 reduces vibration-induced error, limits magnetic crosstalk, and minimizes torque ripple—a source of jerky acceleration, motor noise, and inefficient operation that can reduce range. The sensor does not require busbar modifications such as notches, slices, or holes, allowing designers to adapt more easily to mechanical configurations and reduce overall traction inverter size.
Why It Matters
Traction inverters are critical components that control power delivery from the battery to the electric motor, directly affecting vehicle efficiency, performance, and range. As automakers move toward 800-volt architectures, accuracy demands on current sensing increase. Hall-effect sensors using magnetic cores provide precision but add size and weight, while coreless designs are smaller but historically sacrifice accuracy due to displacement error and crosstalk. The TMCS2100-Q1 aims to offer a middle path—precision without the bulk of core-based designs. For EV designers, this could mean more compact inverter packaging and improved torque control across varying load and thermal conditions.
The Bottom Line
The TMCS2100-Q1 is now available for production quantities on request, along with an evaluation module, characterization module, and reference design. Texas Instruments positions the sensor as a solution that breaks through limitations of existing Hall-effect current sensing approaches, particularly as higher-voltage EV architectures raise accuracy requirements for traction inverter systems.
