Operational field coupled ESD susceptibility of magnetic sensor IC's in automotive applications

Modern automobiles feature more than 80 applications that rely on magnetic sensors. Magnetic or hall-effect sensor ICs are extremely temperature-stable and stress resistant devices especially suited for operating over extended temperature ranges to 150°C ideal for harsh automotive environment. More than 2 billion hall-effect sensors are manufactured annually for automotive applications. Hall-effect sensors are integral part of safety, power train, and body electronics. The potential for magnetic sensor IC damage when exposed to Operating Field Coupled Electrostatic Discharge is of key interest. Continuous trends in IC industry (shrinking geometries), and wire-bond transitioning from gold to copper (15 μm) may decrease the reliability and increase the failure rate.