Monolithic Power Systems Inc. MA310GQ-Z

Overview

MA310GQ-Z from Monolithic Power Systems is a 12-bit contactless absolute angle sensor IC that detects the angular position of a diametrically magnetized permanent magnet via integrated 2D Hall effect sensing and Spinaxis™ phase-detection architecture. It delivers 850–1100 kHz refresh rate, ±0.7° INL at 25°C, and supports ABZ quadrature (1–256 PPT) and UVW commutation (1–8 pole pairs) outputs - enabling precise motor commutation in BLDC servo drives.

For engineers reviewing the MA310GQ-Z datasheet, MA310GQ-Z pinout, MA310GQ-Z application, or MA310GQ-Z equivalent, key selection criteria include magnetic field sensitivity (15 mT min), SPI programmability of zero angle and rotation direction, on-chip NVM for configuration retention, thermal drift (0.015–0.04°/°C), and QFN-16 package compatibility with side-shaft or end-of-shaft magnet mounting.

Technical Context

The MA310GQ-Z implements a time-to-digital converter (TDC) front-end that digitizes magnetic field angle directly from sinusoidal phase detection-eliminating arctangent computation or closed-loop interpolators. Its Spinaxis™ method outputs a 1 MHz digital angle stream with open-loop latency of only 8–10 µs at constant speed.

Digital conditioning includes a configurable low-pass filter (93 Hz cutoff) and on-chip non-volatile memory storing zero angle, ABZ/UVW settings, and dual magnetic field thresholds (MGL/MGH). Field strength detection enables axial movement sensing and real-time diagnostics without external circuitry.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MA310GQ-Z is housed in a thermally enhanced QFN-16 (3 mm × 3 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) package with exposed pad recommended for grounding. Pin functions are validated per MPS datasheet Rev. 1.1 (2022).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AS5048B-HTSP and TLE5012BE1000, the MA310GQ-Z uniquely combines 12-bit absolute angle, programmable ABZ/UVW outputs, on-chip NVM, and magnetic field diagnostics in a single QFN-16 package - optimizing for cost-sensitive, high-speed BLDC systems requiring minimal external components.

Availability

MA310GQ-Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for brushless DC motor commutation, robotic joint feedback, and industrial pump diagnostic monitoring requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for MA310GQ-Z 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 across Asia and North America.

The MagAlpha® product line delivers contactless magnetic angle sensors optimized for motor control, robotics, and industrial automation - emphasizing field robustness, multi-output flexibility, and embedded diagnostics in compact packages.

FAQ

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

The MA310GQ-Z guarantees operation down to 15 mT, verified by characteristic testing across –40°C to +125°C. At this field level, effective resolution remains ≥10.5 bits (3σ), and INL stays within ±1.1°. Operation below 15 mT may cause increased noise or loss of tracking, especially at high speeds.

Can the MA310GQ-Z be used in side-shaft mounting configurations?

Yes - the MA310GQ-Z is explicitly designed for side-shaft use. Its bias current trimming (BCT, ETX, ETY) registers compensate for field nonlinearity caused by tangential field dominance, and its 15 mT minimum field requirement accommodates lower-coupling geometries. Application note AN-123 provides layout and calibration guidance.

How does the MA310GQ-Z handle power-on initialization and zero-angle configuration?

Upon power-up, the MA310GQ-Z loads factory-default or previously stored NVM values, including zero angle (Z[15:0]), rotation direction (RD), and ABZ/UVW settings. Zero angle is defined as the complementary angle (360° − programmed value) and can be reprogrammed via SPI write to registers 0 and 1 with 16-bit precision.

What is the maximum supported SPI clock frequency, and are pull-up/pull-down resistors required?

The MA310GQ-Z supports SPI clock frequencies up to 25 MHz. Internal pull-downs exist on MOSI, MISO (high-Z enabled), and SCLK; CS has an internal pull-up. External resistors are not required, though a 10 kΩ pull-up on CS is recommended for noise immunity in noisy industrial environments.

Does the MA310GQ-Z provide any built-in protection against overvoltage or ESD?

The MA310GQ-Z specifies absolute maximum ratings of –0.5 V to +4.6 V on VDD and input pins, and –0.5 V to +6.0 V on digital I/O. It incorporates on-die ESD protection rated to ±2 kV HBM, but external TVS diodes are advised for industrial environments with high transient risk on ABZ/UVW lines.

How is magnetic field strength monitored, and what are the programmable thresholds?

Magnetic field strength is continuously measured and compared against two user-programmable thresholds: MGLT (low) and MGHT (high), each set via 3-bit fields in register 6. Outputs MGL and MGH assert when field falls below or rises above these thresholds, enabling real-time magnet health checks with ±5 mT accuracy and –600 ppm/°C drift.

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

While the MA310GQ-Z functions electrically with the exposed pad floating, MPS recommends connecting it to GND for optimal thermal dissipation (θJC = 12°C/W), electrical noise suppression, and mechanical stability - especially in high-temperature or high-vibration environments like automotive EPS modules.