Allegro MicroSystems has launched the A81415, a new automotive power management IC (PMIC) that combines ASIL-D safety capabilities with an integrated wheel-speed sensor interface in a single chip. Developed for electromechanical braking (EMB) and brake-by-wire applications, the device brings together key power and sensing functions to simplify system design, reduce PCB space, and enhance reliability in future software-defined vehicles.
As vehicle architectures evolve toward greater electrification and automation, brake-by-wire systems require highly dependable electronics positioned near each wheel. These components must operate reliably despite harsh automotive environments, including elevated temperatures, mechanical vibration, and electrical disturbances. Traditional designs often rely on multiple separate components, such as safety PMICs, wheel-speed processing ICs, and external power circuits, which increases complexity and creates additional points of potential failure.
The A81415 helps overcome these limitations by integrating a wheel-speed sensor interface that supports multiple communication formats, including two-level, PWM, and three-level AK protocols with high-resolution capabilities. The device processes wheel-speed signals internally and sends the decoded information through an SPI interface, reducing communication delays in the braking control system while easing the workload on the vehicle’s microcontroller.
For power management, the IC includes a buck-boost pre-regulator, five LDO regulators, and a single-inductor power design that removes the requirement for external switches and diodes. Allegro states that the integration can eliminate up to nine external components, lowering bill-of-material costs and significantly reducing the PCB footprint needed for power circuitry.
The A81415 is also designed to provide clean, low-noise power for Allegro’s XtremeSense tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) angle sensors, enabling accurate motor control, commutation, and braking force management in electromechanical brake systems.
Built for safety-critical automotive applications, the PMIC is ASIL-D compliant and AEC-Q100 qualified. It includes features such as dual watchdog timers and integrated fault management to support fail-operational braking designs without relying on additional external safety components.
The device is compatible with standard 12 V vehicle electrical systems and can support future 48 V architectures when combined with Allegro’s APM81815 pre-regulator and suitable 48 V gate drivers. This gives automotive suppliers a practical path to upgrade existing brake-by-wire platforms for higher-voltage vehicle designs with fewer hardware changes.
By combining power regulation, wheel-speed signal processing, and advanced safety features in one device, the A81415 aims to simplify the development of compact, efficient, and scalable brake-by-wire systems for next-generation electric and software-defined vehicles.
