Overview on angular position sensing for powertrain applications

Rotational machines used in electrified powertrains require an accurate estimation of the rotor shaft’s position to enable precise control over its angular speed and output torque. Conventional position transducers in this regard, although robust, are relatively expensive. In this paper, an overview of angular position sensing solutions is presented to support the design of cost-effective traction drives. This work aims to describe low-cost magnetic-based position transducers, such as magnetoresistive and Hall-Effect sensors, and their implementation in the form of automotive Integrated Circuits (IC) that mitigate measurement errors due to parametric uncertainties in the sensor’s layout and external disturbances present in a powertrain setting. Furthermore, an overview of the principal sensing enhancement techniques for angular position feedback that addresses the limitations of IC sensing solutions is introduced, discussing the performance of some remarkable examples to identify potential lines of research that would improve the reliability of low-cost position transducers in powertrain applications.