Monolithic Power Systems Inc. MA730GQ-Z

Overview

MA730GQ-Z from Monolithic Power Systems is a 14-bit contactless absolute angle sensor using integrated Hall-effect sensing and Spinaxis™ phase-detection architecture to deliver high-accuracy angular position data at rotational speeds up to 60,000 rpm. It provides simultaneous ABZ incremental (programmable 1–1024 pulses/turn), PWM (14-bit resolution), and SPI/SSI digital outputs, with on-chip NVM for zero-angle calibration and magnetic field threshold configuration. It is deployed in motor commutation feedback loops requiring sub-degree accuracy under wide temperature and field-strength variation.

For engineers reviewing the MA730GQ-Z datasheet, MA730GQ-Z pinout, MA730GQ-Z application, or MA730GQ-Z equivalent, key selection criteria include its 13.8-bit typical effective resolution, 10 µs latency at constant speed, programmable ABZ hysteresis (0.1°), magnetic field detection diagnostics (MGL/MGH flags), and QFN-16 (3mm×3mm) package compatibility with end-of-shaft and side-shaft magnet mounting.

Technical Context

The MA730 employs Spinaxis™ phase-detection - digitizing magnetic field direction directly via time-to-digital conversion of sinusoidal zero-crossings - eliminating arctangent computation and closed-loop interpolation. Its front-end delivers raw angle data at 1 MHz before digital filtering (23 Hz cutoff) that preserves linearity without adding steady-state latency.

Dual output paths are independently configurable: ABZ quadrature supports up to 4096 edges/turn with programmable PPT and index pulse positioning, while PWM operates at 970 Hz ±130 Hz with 13.8-bit typical resolution. Magnetic field strength detection uses two user-programmable thresholds (MGLT/MGHT) to generate digital flags (MGL/MGH) for axial movement sensing or magnet health diagnostics.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MA730GQ-Z is housed in a thermally enhanced QFN-16 (3 mm × 3 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) package with exposed thermal pad. Pin 17 (exposed pad) is recommended to be connected to GND for optimal electrical, thermal, and mechanical performance.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar absolute angle sensor applications.

Compared with AMS AS5055A and TMAG5170, the MA730GQ-Z uniquely integrates ABZ, PWM, and SPI/SSI in one die with on-chip NVM and magnetic diagnostics - reducing BOM count and enabling drop-in replacement in encoder-feedback-critical systems without firmware redesign.

Availability

MA730GQ-Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for motor commutation feedback, steering angle sensing, robotic joint positioning, and valve actuator monitoring requiring stable component supply across automotive, industrial, and robotics production programs.

Supply support for MA730GQ-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 ICs, with design centers in the US, China, and Taiwan.

The MagAlpha® product line delivers contactless magnetic angle sensors optimized for real-time, high-speed position feedback in harsh environments - targeting motor control, automotive EPS, and precision industrial motion systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum rotational speed supported by the MA730GQ-Z?

The MA730GQ-Z supports shaft speeds up to 60,000 rpm while maintaining full 14-bit resolution and <1.1° INL accuracy. Its 1 MHz internal sampling rate and 10 µs latency ensure minimal phase lag even at top speed, and ABZ jitter remains below 0.2° up to 60 mT field strength.

How does the MA730GQ-Z handle side-shaft (off-axis) magnet mounting?

The MA730GQ-Z supports side-shaft mounting via programmable bias current trimming (BCT, ETX, ETY registers) to correct field asymmetry-induced nonlinearity. Factory calibration with known mechanical angles allows software-compensated linearization, achieving <0.02° error after tuning - verified in typical Ø5×3 mm NdFeB magnet configurations.

Can the ABZ and PWM outputs operate simultaneously with different resolutions?

Yes. ABZ resolution is set independently via PPT (1–1024 pulses/turn), while PWM resolution is fixed at 14-bit (970 Hz). Both outputs reflect the same underlying angle value updated at 1 MHz, with ABZ edges aligned to the internal angle clock - enabling synchronous use in dual-path feedback systems without timing skew.

What is the purpose of the MGL and MGH pins, and how are thresholds configured?

MGL and MGH are open-drain digital flags indicating whether sensed magnetic field strength falls below (MGL) or above (MGH) user-programmed thresholds stored in registers 0x06 (MGLT/MGHT). Thresholds are set in 5 mT steps (0–35 mT range) and drift <600 ppm/°C - enabling diagnostics for magnet displacement, aging, or contamination in sealed assemblies.

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

While functional operation is possible without connecting the exposed pad, MPS recommends soldering it to a solid GND plane. This reduces θJA by ~12°C/W, improves long-term reliability at 125°C ambient, lowers EMI susceptibility, and enhances mechanical stability - especially critical in vibration-prone motor or automotive applications.

Does the MA730GQ-Z support both SPI Mode 0 and Mode 3 simultaneously?

Yes. The MA730GQ-Z auto-detects SPI mode (CPOL/CPHA) on power-up or CS assertion - no configuration required. It supports Mode 0 (CPOL=0, CPHA=0) and Mode 3 (CPOL=1, CPHA=1) at up to 25 MHz SCLK, with timing margins validated across -40°C to +125°C and 3.0–3.6 V supply range.

How many times can the on-chip NVM be rewritten, and what data persists?

The on-chip NVM supports 1,000 write cycles at 25°C. Stored parameters include zero-angle offset (Z[15:0]), ABZ settings (PPT, ILIP), magnetic thresholds (MGLT/MGHT), and rotation direction (RD). All values reload automatically at power-on; no external memory or boot firmware is needed for configuration retention.