Monolithic Power Systems Inc. MA736GGU-Z

Overview

MA736GGU-Z from Monolithic Power Systems is a contactless digital angle sensor that detects absolute angular position of a diametrically magnetized cylinder via integrated 2D Hall-effect sensing and proprietary SpinAxis™ phase-detection architecture. It delivers configurable 8-bit to 12.5-bit ±3σ resolution, 3µs latency at constant rotation, and operates from -40°C to +125°C in automotive and robotics motor feedback loops.

For engineers reviewing the MA736GGU-Z datasheet, MA736GGU-Z pinout, MA736GGU-Z application, or MA736GGU-Z equivalent, key selection criteria include SPI-configurable filter time constants (4µs–4ms), on-chip NVM for zero-angle and field-threshold storage, diagnostic MGL/MGH outputs, and UTQFN-14 (2mm×2mm) package compatibility with end-of-shaft or side-shaft magnetic mounting.

Technical Context

The MA736 employs a time-to-digital converter (TDC) to directly digitize magnetic field angle from sinusoidal phase detection-eliminating arctangent computation or closed-loop interpolators. Its open-loop front end outputs angle data at 1MHz, with digital filtering applied post-acquisition to achieve final resolution without adding steady-state latency.

Filter transfer function follows H(s) = (1+2τs)/(1+τs)², where τ is programmable (4µs, 1ms, or 4ms), enabling trade-offs between noise suppression (0.01° RMS at τ=4ms) and bandwidth (95 kHz cutoff at τ=4µs). Magnetic field detection thresholds (MGL/MGH) are independently configurable for real-time diagnostics.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MA736GGU-Z is housed in an ultra-small UTQFN-14 (2mm × 2mm, 0.45mm height) package with wettable flanks, MSL Level 1, and thermal resistance θ_JA = 90°C/W.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AS5055A-BQFT and TMAG5170AHQ, MA736GGU-Z uniquely integrates NVM-based calibration storage, dual-field diagnostic flags (MGL/MGH), and hardware IRQ - reducing BOM count, firmware complexity, and enabling predictive field health checks in resource-constrained embedded systems.

Availability

MA736GGU-Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive EPS systems, industrial servo drives, collaborative robotics joints, and medical infusion pump motor control requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for MA736GGU-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 in the US, China, and Taiwan.

The MagAlpha product line delivers contactless magnetic position sensors optimized for motor control, robotics, and automotive applications-emphasizing low latency, high temperature resilience, and integrated diagnostics.

FAQ

What magnetic configurations does the MA736GGU-Z support?

The MA736GGU-Z supports both end-of-shaft (axial) and side-shaft (off-axis) magnet mounting. For end-of-shaft use, a diametrically magnetized Ø5×3mm NdFeB cylinder with ≤1.5mm air gap is recommended. Side-shaft operation requires configuration of rotation direction and zero-angle offset to linearize mechanical-to-electrical angle mapping.

How is resolution configured, and what trade-offs apply?

Resolution is set by selecting one of three digital filter time constants (τ = 4µs, 1ms, or 4ms) via SPI register writes. Shorter τ yields lower resolution (7.2–8 bits) but higher bandwidth (95 kHz); longer τ achieves up to 12.5-bit resolution with reduced noise (0.01° RMS) and lower bandwidth (95 Hz).

Does the MA736GGU-Z require external calibration components?

No. The MA736GGU-Z includes on-chip non-volatile memory (NVM) that stores zero-angle reference, magnetic field thresholds (MGLT/MGHT), and rotation direction. Calibration parameters persist across power cycles without external EEPROM or trimming resistors.

What is the role of the MGL and MGH pins?

MGL and MGH are dedicated diagnostic outputs: MGL asserts high when sensed magnetic field drops below the user-configured MGLT threshold; MGH asserts high when field exceeds the MGHT threshold. These enable real-time field health monitoring and fault detection without host SPI polling.

Can the MA736GGU-Z operate with magnetic fields below 30mT?

Yes, but performance degrades: linearity (INL) and resolution may fall outside datasheet specifications. The device is characterized and guaranteed for 30–100 mT; operation below 30 mT is possible in controlled environments but requires system-level validation of angle error and noise.

Is the UTQFN-14 package compatible with standard reflow profiles?

Yes. The MA736GGU-Z UTQFN-14 package is MSL Level 1 and rated for peak reflow temperatures up to 260°C. Recommended profile follows J-STD-020: preheat (150–200°C), soak (180–200°C for 60–120 s), reflow (peak 235–245°C for ≤60 s), cooling ramp ≤6°C/s.