Texas Instruments TMAG6180-6181EVM

Overview

TMAG6180-6181EVM from Texas Instruments is an evaluation module designed to characterize the TMAG6180-Q1 and TMAG6181-Q1 anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) angle sensors. It integrates dual-sensor mounting (top-side TMAG6180, bottom-side TMAG6181), on-board ADS8354 16-bit differential SAR ADC, low-noise 5 V AVDD supply generation, and USB-based interface via TI-SCB for real-time angular position and turns counting analysis.

For engineers reviewing the TMAG6180-6181EVM datasheet, TMAG6180-6181EVM hardware setup, TMAG6180-6181EVM GUI operation, or TMAG6180-6181EVM firmware update procedures, this EVM provides a validated reference platform to evaluate full 360° absolute angle measurement, quadrant resolution (Q0/Q1), and PWM-based turns counting - all with integrated anti-aliasing filtering and sensor multiplexing.

Technical Context

The TMAG6180-6181EVM hosts two AMR-based magnetic sensors: TMAG6180-Q1 delivers differential sine/cosine analog outputs plus digital Q0/Q1 quadrant indicators, while TMAG6181-Q1 provides identical analog outputs plus a PWM TURNS signal. Both operate from 2.7 V–5.5 V and resolve ±1° angular accuracy over 360° rotation using integrated Hall-assisted AMR architecture.

Signal acquisition uses an on-board ADS8354IPWR 16-bit dual-channel SAR ADC sampling differential SIN_P/SIN_N and COS_P/COS_N pairs at up to 700 kSPS. Data is transmitted over SPI to the TI-SCB controller, which handles USB communication and firmware-driven GUI interaction for real-time plotting, data capture, and device selection.

Key Specifications

Availability

TMAG6180-6181EVM is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for magnetic sensor evaluation, industrial rotary encoder prototyping, and automotive steering angle development requiring stable component supply and validated reference design integration.

Supply support for TMAG6180-6181EVM 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

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, delivering analog and embedded processing solutions across industrial, automotive, and consumer markets since 1930.

The TMAG6180-6181EVM belongs to TI's high-precision magnetic sensing product line, engineered to accelerate development of robust, contactless angular position systems for motor control, robotics, and safety-critical applications.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the TMAG6180-6181EVM?

The TMAG6180-6181EVM is a dedicated evaluation module that enables functional and performance validation of both the TMAG6180-Q1 and TMAG6181-Q1 anisotropic magnetoresistive angle sensors. It provides complete signal chain support-including differential analog acquisition, digital output routing, low-noise power regulation, and GUI-driven data visualization-allowing engineers to verify full 360° absolute angle measurement, quadrant detection (Q0/Q1), and PWM-based turns counting without custom hardware design. The TMAG6180-6181EVM simplifies sensor characterization in lab and pre-production environments.

Does the TMAG6180-6181EVM require additional hardware to operate?

Yes - the TMAG6180-6181EVM requires the TI Sensor Control Board (TI-SCB) to enable full functionality, including USB connectivity, firmware execution, and GUI communication. The TI-SCB must be ordered separately and connected via the onboard header. While the TMAG6180-6181EVM can be used standalone (e.g., probing test pads or accessing J1 pins), its integrated GUI, data streaming, and automated sensor switching depend entirely on the TI-SCB. The TMAG6180-6181EVM user guide explicitly states TI-SCB ordering as a prerequisite in Section 3.1.

How does the TMAG6180-6181EVM handle power supply noise for precision measurements?

The TMAG6180-6181EVM mitigates USB-supplied 5 V noise by implementing a two-stage power architecture: first, the TPS61093DSKR boosts input voltage to ~12 V; then, the TPS7B8450QWDRBRQ1 LDO regulates it to a clean 5 V AVDD rail specifically for the ADS8354 ADC and sensors. This decouples sensitive analog circuitry from the noisy TI-SCB USB source. The TMAG6180-6181EVM schematic (Figure 3-4) confirms this topology, and the User's Guide explicitly notes "TI-SCB 5V is powered via USB and is less ideal for use as an ADC supply."

Can the TMAG6180-6181EVM evaluate both sensors simultaneously?

No - the TMAG6180-6181EVM evaluates TMAG6180-Q1 and TMAG6181-Q1 sequentially, not simultaneously. A single ADS8354 ADC shares its input channels between both sensors via the TMUX1574RSVR multiplexer (U3), controlled by the SEL signal on J1 pin 12. When SEL = 0, TMAG6180 outputs are routed; when SEL = 1, TMAG6181 outputs are selected. The GUI supports toggling between devices, but only one sensor's analog outputs are digitized at a time. This is confirmed in the User's Guide Section 3.2 and schematics (U3 multiplexer logic).

What software tools are required to use the TMAG6180-6181EVM?

Users need the PAMB Windows USB driver (sbac253.zip), TI Cloud Agent browser extension, and the web-hosted GUI Composer application accessible at https://dev.ti.com/gallery/search/TMAG6180-6181. The TMAG6180-6181EVM does not ship with local software; all interaction occurs through Firefox or Chrome. Firmware updates, data collection, device selection, and plot export are handled exclusively within the GUI. Offline GUI download is optional but requires the same initial cloud-based setup. No standalone desktop application is provided for the TMAG6180-6181EVM.