CTS Corporation has introduced COBROS, a breakthrough platform for electric motor control that directly measures magnetic fields inside permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs). Using embedded PCB-based sensors, COBROS captures real-time, in‑situ magnetic field data, eliminating the need for multiple external sensors and complex estimation algorithms. This new approach simplifies drive system design while delivering improved accuracy and dynamic performance across a wide operating range.

Developed over seven years of focused research, COBROS targets sectors where PMSMs dominate, including automotive, industrial, and robotic drives. For electric vehicles, the platform enables smoother torque delivery, precise acceleration and regenerative braking control, and enhanced efficiency during load-varying and transient conditions. By directly sensing both stator and rotor magnetic fields, controllers operate on raw data rather than estimated states, reducing errors and improving overall system efficiency.

The compact PCB sensor array offers packaging benefits compared with conventional position sensors. COBROS requires less axial space and fewer connectors than encoders or resolvers, facilitating more compact powertrain architectures and reduced costs. Its dual capability to measure rotor and stator fields also adds measurement redundancy, supporting advanced diagnostic and reliability functions beyond the reach of legacy systems. Reduced external wiring lowers failure risks linked to harness or connector degradation.

The sensor technology integrates advanced Hall and Tunnel Magnetoresistance (TMR) elements in a multi-sensor PCB design combined with sophisticated signal processing to perform multidimensional magnetic field decomposition. This enables precise, real-time position and torque feedback critical to optimized vector control.

Proven in laboratory environments and validated in marine motor applications, COBROS demonstrates effective scalability from low- to high-power motor platforms. Its seamless integration with standard motor architectures provides OEMs and system developers with a straightforward upgrade path.

As field-oriented control becomes increasingly essential in advanced electric drives, COBROS represents a transformational advancement by combining compact integration with high-fidelity sensing. It aligns with industry demands for more efficient, reliable, and diagnostics-ready electric motor control solutions across automotive, industrial, and aerospace sectors.

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