Mysentech MLC12G

MLC12G is a highly integrated dual-channel inductive-capacitive sensing chip. When used for metal proximity detection, it connects directly to an inductive coil to measure the coil's inductance (self-inductance), with low sensitivity to the human body and non-conductive materials. When used for capacitive proximity detection, it connects directly to the sensing electrode to measure single-ended capacitance to ground (self-capacitance). Using a resonant excitation method, the chip resolves and measures minute changes in inductance or capacitance to determine position information.

Compared to conventional approaches using ferrite coils, MLC12G is compatible with smaller PCB coils, offering a low-power, low-cost, high-resolution contactless metal detection solution. Compared to traditional touch-type RC oscillator-based sensing architectures, MLC12G employs a very high frequency resonance method that, in conjunction with the sensing electrode, enables dielectric detection of materials with superior electric field penetration.

The MLC12G oscillation frequency is freely configurable over the range of 10 KHz to 100 MHz. The frequency measurement output is a 16-bit digital signal. Function configuration and data read/write support I²C communication rates up to 1 MHz. An integrated low-noise LDO power management module supports a wide supply voltage range of 2.0 V to 5.5 V. The chip also integrates a temperature sensing circuit for temperature compensation and other temperature sensing applications. Frequency calculation is fully digitized through an internal digital signal processing unit, with multiple operating modes available for flexible configuration.

Compared to similar products domestically and internationally, MLC12G offers a wider excitation frequency range, greater contactless measurement range, broader operating voltage range, and more flexible reference frequency and operating mode configuration. The chip incorporates a temperature sensing signal for temperature compensation, and the independent dual-channel measurement architecture enables mutual compensation referencing. Automatic alarm logic can also be configured, making MLC12G broadly applicable to industrial and specialized detection scenarios such as metal proximity, human body proximity, and position sensing.

MLC12G is a high-precision, dual-channel inductive-capacitive sensing chip. Using the LC resonance method, it measures oscillation frequency and outputs data proportional to that frequency, from which the inductance or capacitance under measurement can be calculated. The narrowband characteristics of the LC oscillator provide a lower noise floor while offering inherent immunity to external interference.

The MLC12G integrates the following functional blocks: power management module, resonant drive circuit, frequency divider, internal clock, digital frequency calculator, register file, temperature sensor, and I²C interface. The resonant drive circuit forms an active oscillator together with an external LC network, feeding the output signal to the digital logic circuitry to measure and digitize the sensor signal frequency. The digital logic uses a reference frequency to measure the sensor signal frequency. The reference frequency is derived from either the internal chip clock or an external clock. The I²C interface handles communication between the chip and the MCU. By measuring the voltage at the VT pin on the MCU side, ambient temperature can be indirectly obtained for temperature compensation. The SD pin can be used to shut down the chip to reduce system power consumption. Additionally, the INTB pin can be configured to output either an alarm status bit or a conversion-complete flag signal.

• Inductance measurement range: 100nH~1mH
• Capacitance measurement range: 0~100nF
• Temperature range: -55°C~+125°C
• Frequency range: 10KHz~100MHz
• Frequency resolution: 16bit
• Supply voltage range: 2.0V~5.5V
• Conversion time: 1ms~100ms (configurable)
• Average power consumption: 7.5μA@1Hz
• Sleep mode current: 50nA
• Shutdown mode current: 40nA
• QFN16 package

• Metal proximity detection
• Metal key touch
• Human body proximity detection
• Gesture recognition
• Position sensing