Monolithic Power Systems Inc. MA310GQ-P

Overview

MA310GQ-P from Monolithic Power Systems is a 12-bit contactless absolute angle sensor using integrated 2D Hall effect and Spinaxis™ phase-detection architecture to deliver high-accuracy angular position measurement up to 60,000 rpm. It provides simultaneous ABZ quadrature (programmable 1–256 pulses/turn) and UVW commutation outputs (1–8 pole pairs), with on-chip NVM for zero-angle calibration, magnetic field threshold programming, and configuration retention. It is deployed in BLDC motor commutation where side-shaft mounting and low-field (<15 mT) operation are required.

For engineers reviewing the MA310GQ-P datasheet, MA310GQ-P pinout, MA310GQ-P application, or MA310GQ-P equivalent, this page delivers verified technical context including SPI Mode 0/3 timing, ABZ jitter specs at 255 PPT, UVW hysteresis (0.7°), magnetic field detection thresholds (±5 mT accuracy), and QFN-16 thermal resistance (θJA = 50°C/W).

Technical Context

The MA310GQ-P implements a direct time-to-digital conversion of magnetic field phase via Spinaxis™ front-end-eliminating arctangent computation or closed-loop interpolators. Its digital conditioning block applies a programmable 93 Hz low-pass filter (τ = 0.38/F_cutoff) without adding latency under steady-state rotation.

It supports dual-output modes: ABZ quadrature with 10-bit resolution and configurable edge count per turn, and UVW commutation with programmable pole-pair emulation (NPP = 1–8). Magnetic field strength detection uses two independent comparators (MGL/MGH) with factory-trimmable thresholds stored in NVM.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MA310GQ-P is housed in a thermally enhanced QFN-16 (3 mm × 3 mm) package with wettable flanks and an exposed thermal pad. The pad must be connected to GND for optimal thermal dissipation (θJC = 12°C/W) and EMI suppression.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar contactless angle sensing applications.

Compared with AS5048B and TMAG5170, MA310GQ-P uniquely integrates ABZ and UVW hardware engines with on-chip NVM storage - reducing system-level BOM count, eliminating host computation overhead, and enabling direct connection to motor gate drivers or motion controllers without glue logic.

Availability

MA310GQ-P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for brushless DC motor commutation, robotic joint feedback, and electric power steering systems requiring stable component supply, automotive-grade temperature resilience (-40°C to +125°C), and magnetic field diagnostic capability.

Supply support for MA310GQ-P includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Monolithic Power Systems (MPS) is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in high-performance power management and sensing solutions, with design centers in the US, China, and Taiwan.

The MagAlpha® product line targets high-precision, contactless angular position sensing for motor control and industrial automation - emphasizing integration of analog front-end, digital processing, and programmable outputs in single-chip solutions.

FAQ

What is the minimum magnetic field strength required for reliable operation of MA310GQ-P?

The MA310GQ-P guarantees operation down to 15 mT, with effective resolution degrading from 12.8 bits (typ.) at 45–100 mT to 11.0 bits (typ.) at 15 mT. Below 15 mT, INL increases beyond 1.1° and field detection flags may assert erroneously. This enables use with low-cost ferrite magnets or side-shaft configurations where field strength is inherently reduced.

How does the MA310GQ-P handle side-shaft magnet mounting nonlinearity?

It compensates side-shaft nonlinearity via programmable bias current trimming (BCT register) and X/Y enable bits (ETX/ETY), which adjust Hall device bias to equalize signal amplitude across rotation. This corrects the double-sine error curve typical of tangential field configurations, restoring linearity without external calibration tables or host MCU intervention.

Can MA310GQ-P generate ABZ and UVW outputs simultaneously?

Yes - ABZ (A/B/Z) and UVW (U/V/W) outputs operate concurrently and independently. ABZ provides quadrature+index for speed/position loops, while UVW delivers commutation signals synchronized to mechanical pole pairs. Both outputs update at the same 980 kHz nominal rate and share identical latency (8–10 µs).

What SPI modes does MA310GQ-P support, and how is mode selection handled?

MA310GQ-P supports SPI Mode 0 (CPOL=0, CPHA=0) and Mode 3 (CPOL=1, CPHA=1) with automatic detection on power-up. No configuration is required - the device samples SCLK idle state during CS assertion to determine mode. Maximum SCLK frequency is 25 MHz; timing parameters like t_MISO (15 ns) and t_csH (25 ns) are guaranteed by design.

Is the exposed thermal pad on the QFN-16 package required to be connected?

While functional operation is possible with the pad floating, MPS strongly recommends connecting the exposed pad to GND. Doing so reduces θJA from 50°C/W to ~35°C/W in typical 4-layer PCB layouts, improves EMI immunity, and enhances mechanical reliability - especially under thermal cycling in automotive or industrial environments.

How many times can the on-chip NVM be programmed, and what is the write cycle time?

The on-chip NVM supports 1,000 write cycles at 25°C. Each register write requires two 16-bit SPI frames with a mandatory 20 ms delay between them to complete the NVM programming sequence. Failure to observe this delay results in the register retaining its prior value - no error flag is generated.

Does MA310GQ-P provide diagnostic outputs for magnet health monitoring?

Yes - dedicated MGL (magnet low) and MGH (magnet high) open-drain outputs indicate whether the sensed field falls below MGLT or exceeds MGHT thresholds. Thresholds are programmable in 3-bit steps (0–7 mT range) and stored in NVM, enabling real-time detection of magnet detachment, demagnetization, or misalignment in safety-critical systems.