Inverter-based position sensor for a traction motor of a vehicle

A drive unit for a vehicle, the drive unit comprising:

• a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a position sensor;
• a rotor assembly connected to a shaft, the shaft having a target;
• and
• circuitry electrically coupled to the position sensor, the circuitry determining a position of the shaft using the target.

A printed circuit board associated with a drive unit of a vehicle and being oriented substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of a shaft of the drive unit, the printed circuit board comprising:

• a microcontroller;
• a first application-specific integrated circuit;
• a second application-specific integrated circuit;
• and
• a plurality of layers,
• wherein a first layer of the plurality of layers and a second layer of the plurality of layers comprise a first transmitting coil and a first set of receiving coils,
• wherein a third layer of the plurality of layers and a fourth layer of the plurality of layers comprise a second transmitting coil and a second set of receiving coils,
• wherein the first application-specific integrated circuit transmits a first electromagnetic field from the first transmitting coil to a target on the shaft, receives a first reflected electromagnetic field at the first set of receiving coils from the target on the shaft, and determines a first position of the shaft based at least in part on the first reflected electromagnetic field,
• wherein the second application-specific integrated circuit transmits a second electromagnetic field from the second transmitting coil to the target on the shaft, receives a second reflected electromagnetic field at the second set of receiving coils from the target on the shaft, and determines a second position of the shaft based at least in part on the second reflected electromagnetic field, and
• wherein the microcontroller determines a third position of the shaft based at least in part on the first position and the second position.