The MLX90376 rotary position sensor from Melexis NV - dual die design for harsh environments

Reviewed: ad hoc news Bestseller & Flagship desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-29, 06:43. Details in the imprint.

The MLX90376 rotary position sensor sits almost invisibly behind a plastic pedal or steering column, quietly tracking every angle change as the driver nudges the control. You don't see it, but you feel its work in the smooth response of throttle, shifter or knob.

What the MLX90376 does

The MLX90376 from Melexis NV is a magnetic rotary position sensor IC designed mainly for automotive applications such as pedal position, steering angle and electronic throttles. It measures angles based on a rotating magnet, delivering absolute position data over a digital interface.

In practical terms, engineers mount a small magnet on the moving part and place the MLX90376 on a fixed PCB opposite it. As the driver presses the pedal or turns a knob, the chip outputs a clean angle value that the ECU can trust, cycle after cycle.

Dual die sensor for safety

One of the key features of the MLX90376 is its dual die architecture, essentially two sensing channels in one package for redundancy and functional safety. That helps carmakers reach higher ASIL levels in systems where a wrong angle reading could have sobering consequences.

The chip is engineered to cope with stray magnetic fields, a chronic headache in modern vehicles packed with motors and high-current wiring. By using advanced signal processing and magnetic design, the MLX90376 keeps its angle accuracy even when the environment is electrically noisy.

Inside the sensing technology

Under the epoxy mold compound, the MLX90376 uses a Hall-based magnetic sensing front end and a DSP core to convert raw magnetic signals into angle values. The device supports several output formats, including SENT, PWM and SPI, so engineers can match it to their chosen ECU interface without extra glue logic.

Typical resolution reaches fractions of a degree, with accuracy tuned through end-of-line calibration and software settings. In a lab, testers like senior engineer Lisa Verbruggen will sweep the magnet across its full travel and watch the angle curve on her screen, looking for clean, tidy linearity without unexpected spikes.

Built for harsh automotive life

The MLX90376 is qualified for extended temperature ranges often quoted from -40 °C up to 150 °C package temperature, depending on variant. It is meant to live under dashboards, in engine bays or near wheel wells where heat, vibration and moisture are daily reality.

Housing options include SOIC and DUAL DIE packages that align with standard automotive PCB footprints. The chip's EMC robustness means it can sit next to relays and power devices without losing track of its magnet, helping keep layouts compact.

How it feels in real-world use

When an OEM deploys the MLX90376 in a pedal assembly, the driver never knows the part number. What they notice is that the pedal moves with a smooth, consistent resistance and the engine response matches their foot motion without jerkiness or dead zones.

In a steering angle application for advanced driver-assistance systems, the sensor supports functions like lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise. The steering wheel recenters predictably, and the vehicle's small corrections feel natural because the software trusts a solid angle signal.

Position in Melexis portfolio

The MLX90376 sits within Melexis's broader portfolio of magnetic position sensors, which cover linear, rotary and 3D applications. That lineup helps the company serve both traditional internal combustion vehicles and newer hybrids and battery-electric platforms.

Melexis has long marketed itself as an automotive specialist, and the MLX90376 is a typical example of its focus on sensors rather than glamorous dashboard gadgets. It sells the chip mostly to tier-1 suppliers who integrate it into modules, not directly to car owners.

Availability and market focus

For individual buyers in Germany, the MLX90376 is not a shelf item in consumer electronics stores. It is usually procured through distributors and component channels by automotive suppliers and industrial OEMs, often in reels of hundreds or thousands.

On the home market side, the chip is widely referenced in European design circles and is part of long-term platform strategies. Engineers value that Melexis commits to automotive-grade longevity, reducing the risk that a core sensor disappears mid-platform.

Context and Melexis shares

Melexis NV, headquartered in Belgium, is listed on Euronext Brussels and is known for automotive sensors, actuators and ICs across powertrain, body and safety domains. The MLX90376 contributes to its magnetic sensing revenue stream that underpins many modern vehicles.

Apple shares wording not relevant here, so focusing on Melexis: the Melexis share price trades on Euronext Brussels under ISIN BE0165385973, giving investors direct exposure to demand for chips like the MLX90376 in global automotive production.

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without guarantee; prices and availability may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions involve risks up to total loss.