Murata Ramps up Ultra-Low Power AMR Sensor Output for Wearable and IoT Use

Why It Matters

The sensors dramatically extend battery life for compact, battery‑powered products, unlocking new possibilities for long‑term medical monitoring and secure IoT deployments while reducing component count and design complexity.

Key Takeaways

• MRMS166R consumes ~20 nA at 1.2 V, extending standby life
• Sensors enable two‑year standby on typical silver‑oxide coin cells
• 1.0 × 1.0 × 0.4 mm package fits tight wearable designs
• MRMS168R provides higher output drive for heavier loads
• Solid‑state magnetic switch replaces mechanical relays, boosting reliability

Pulse Analysis

The explosion of battery‑operated wearables and edge‑connected IoT devices has created a relentless demand for components that can function for years on a single coin cell. Power‑hungry switches and micro‑controllers often dominate a device’s standby budget, forcing designers to trade functionality for battery life. Murata’s new MRMS166R and MRMS168R anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) sensors address this bottleneck by delivering magnetic switching at a mere 20 nA average current, a level previously seen only in specialized research chips. This ultra‑low draw translates directly into longer intervals between battery replacements, a critical metric for medical patches, capsule endoscopes, and other sealed systems.

Both sensors are packaged in a 1.0 × 1.0 × 0.4 mm solid‑state housing, allowing integration into space‑constrained modules such as AR glasses frames or wireless‑earbud housings. The MRMS166R targets the lowest power envelope, operating reliably down to 1.2 V while maintaining a stable magnetic threshold. Its sibling, the MRMS168R, adds higher output‑drive capability, enabling it to source larger load currents for applications that must actively pull down a line or drive a small actuator. By eliminating mechanical contacts, the AMR devices also improve reliability under vibration and moisture exposure.

For OEMs, the immediate benefit is a simplification of power‑management architecture: a single magnetic sensor can replace multiple discrete switches and associated debounce circuitry. This reduction in bill‑of‑materials and board space accelerates time‑to‑market for next‑generation health monitors, smart locks, and secure door sensors. As the IoT ecosystem continues to shift toward edge processing with stringent energy budgets, Murata’s mass‑production rollout positions the company as a key enabler of ultra‑low‑power design, potentially setting a new baseline for magnetic sensing in portable electronics.