Patents by Inventor Dirk Hammerschmidt

Dirk Hammerschmidt has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11320497
    Abstract: A system includes a magnetic field sensor arrangement and a controller. The magnetic field sensor arrangement includes a first sensor chip having an integrated circuit differential magnetic field sensor circuit configured to generate a first output signal comprising first signal pulses, a second sensor chip having an integrated second differential magnetic field sensor circuit configured to generate a second output signal comprising second signal pulses, and at least one output signal terminal configured to output the first and the second output signals. The controller receives the first and the second signal pulses from the at least one output signal terminal, evaluates the first and the second signal pulses, and detects an error of an operation of the magnetic field sensor arrangement in response to the first and the second signal pulses not satisfying an expected output pattern of the first and the second signal pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventors: Dirk Hammerschmidt, Helmut Koeck, Andrea Monterastelli, Tobias Werth
  • Publication number: 20220123746
    Abstract: A sensor device includes an output driver configured to: adjust a first time interval of the output signal between a first signal edge of a first type and a first signal edge of a second type based on a first reference value; adjust a second time interval of the output signal between the first signal edge of the second type and a second signal edge of the first type based on a second reference value; adjust a third time interval of the output signal between the second signal edge of the first type and a second signal edge of the second type based on a first data value; and adjust a fourth time interval of the output signal between the second signal edge of the second type and a third signal edge of the first type based on a second data value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT, Michael STRASSER
  • Publication number: 20220099761
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to magnetic field sensor packages, including a sensor housing, a first sensor chip having an integrated first differential magnetic field sensor circuit, the first sensor chip being arranged in the sensor housing, and a second sensor chip having an integrated second differential magnetic field sensor circuit, the second sensor chip being arranged in the sensor housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT, Helmut KOECK, Andrea MONTERASTELLI, Tobias WERTH
  • Patent number: 11287338
    Abstract: A method of determining a torque applied to a rotatable shaft is provided. The method includes transmitting a first electro-magnetic transmit signal towards a first mutually coupled structure mechanically coupled to the rotatable shaft, converting, by the first mutually coupled multitrack structure, the first electro-magnetic transmit signal into a first electro-magnetic receive signal; receiving the first electro-magnetic receive signal; evaluating the received first electro-magnetic receive signal; and determining the torque applied to the rotatable shaft based on the evaluated first electro-magnetic receive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventors: Dirk Hammerschmidt, Christof Michenthaler
  • Publication number: 20220090906
    Abstract: A magnetic angle sensor system includes a first magnetic sensor configured to generate a first sensor signal, a second magnetic sensor configured to generate a second sensor signal, and at least one signal processor configured to: generate an angle signal including an angular value corresponding to an orientation of a magnetic field based on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal; generate a vector length signal comprising a plurality of vector lengths corresponding to the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal; and extract at least one spectral component of the vector length signal, the at least one spectral component being indicative of a vector length variance between at least two consecutively sampled vector lengths of the plurality of vector lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20220075680
    Abstract: A fault detection system includes a sensor configured to measure a physical quantity and generate a measurement of the physical quantity; a first processor configured to receive the measurement, execute a first firmware based on the measurement, and output a first result of the executed first firmware; a second processor configured to receive the measurement from the sensor, execute a second firmware based on the measurement, and output a second result of the executed second firmware, wherein the first firmware and the second firmware provide a same nominal function in a diverse manner for calculating the first result and the second result, respectively, such that the first result and the second result are expected to be within a predetermined margin; and a fault detection circuit configured to detect a fault when the first result and the second result are not within the predetermined margin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thomas Zettler, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Friedrich Rasbornig, Michael Strasser, Akos Hegedus, Wolfgang Granig
  • Publication number: 20220069838
    Abstract: A sigma delta (SD) pulse-width modulation (PWM) loop includes a loop filter implementing a linear transfer function to generate a loop filter signal, wherein the loop filter is configured to receive an input signal and a first feedback signal and generate the loop filter signal based on the input signal, the first feedback signal, and the linear transfer function; and a hysteresis comparator coupled to an output of the loop filter, the hysteresis comparator configured to receive the loop filter signal and generate a sigma delta PWM signal based on the loop filter signal, wherein the first feedback signal is derived from the sigma delta PWM signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 11255699
    Abstract: By a relative movement between an arrangement of at least three magnetic field sensors and a magnetic field generator, different discrete positional relationships can be produced between the same. A first signal is calculated as a first linear combination using at least two of three sensor signals. It is checked whether the first signal uniquely indicates one of the different discrete positional relationships. If yes, it is determined that the arrangement is located in the one discrete positional relationship. If no, a second signal is calculated as a second linear combination using at least two of the three sensor signals, at least one of which differs from the sensor signals used in the calculation of the first signal, and at least the second signal is used to determine in which of the different discrete positional relationships the arrangement is located relative to the magnetic field generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventors: Dirk Hammerschmidt, Robert Hermann
  • Publication number: 20220038222
    Abstract: The described techniques address the issues of latency and lengthy processing times associated with conventional redundant sensor measurement systems that rely upon digital transmission protocols by implementing a diverse analog sensor interface architecture. The described architecture may advantageously use a number of sensor measurement paths that may be independent of one another or share any suitable number of common components to provide varying levels of redundancy. The analog interfaces may provide signal diversity with respect to the use of different types of analog transmission protocols, which may include different signaling interfaces (e.g. differential versus single-ended), different transmission interfaces (e.g. voltage versus current interfaces), and/or the use of different signalization schemes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Friedrich Rasbornig, Bernhard Schaffer, Hans-Joerg Wagner, Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Publication number: 20210405081
    Abstract: A sensor device is provided with a magnetic field sensitive element being positioned in a magnetic field of a magnet. The magnetic field sensitive element is configured to sense an orientation angle of the magnetic field in the range between 0° and 360° and generate a sensing signal. The electronic circuitry is configured to receive and process the sensing signal from the magnetic field sensitive element to generate an angle signal indicating the orientation angle of the magnetic field and an angular speed of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Helmut Koeck, Leo Aichriedler, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Andrea Monterastelli, Friedrich Rasbornig, Peter Slama, Dietmar Spitzer, Tobias Werth, Harald Witschnig
  • Patent number: 11211926
    Abstract: A sensor device includes an output driver configured to: adjust a first time interval of the output signal between a first signal edge of a first type and a first signal edge of a second type based on a first reference value; adjust a second time interval of the output signal between the first signal edge of the second type and a second signal edge of the first type based on a second reference value; adjust a third time interval of the output signal between the second signal edge of the first type and a second signal edge of the second type based on a first data value; and adjust a fourth time interval of the output signal between the second signal edge of the second type and a third signal edge of the first type based on a second data value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dirk Hammerschmidt, Michael Strasser
  • Patent number: 11204233
    Abstract: A magnetic angle sensor system includes a first magnetic sensor configured to generate a first sensor signal, a second magnetic sensor configured to generate a second sensor signal, and at least one signal processor configured to: generate an angle signal including an angular value corresponding to an orientation of a magnetic field based on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal; generate a vector length signal comprising a plurality of vector lengths corresponding to the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal; determine a vector length variance between at least two consecutively sampled vector lengths of the plurality of vector lengths; compare the determined vector length variance to a tolerance range defined by at least one of a minimum tolerance threshold and a maximum tolerance threshold; and generate a warning signal on a condition that the determined vector length variance is outside the tolerance range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Patent number: 11188410
    Abstract: Fault detection devices, systems, and methods are provided which implement identical processors. A first processor is configured to receive a first measurement, execute a first firmware based on the first measurement, and output a first result of the executed first firmware. A second processor is configured to receive a second measurement, execute a second firmware based on the second measurement, and output a second result of the executed second firmware. The first firmware and the second firmware provide a same nominal function in a diverse manner for calculating the first result and the second result, respectively, such that the first result and the second result are expected to be within a predetermined margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Zettler, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Friedrich Rasbornig, Michael Strasser, Akos Hegedus, Wolfgang Granig
  • Patent number: 11137456
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor is configured to measure a magnetic field whose magnitude oscillates between a first extrema and a second extrema. The magnetic sensor includes a plurality of magnetic field sensor elements, each configured to generate a sensor signal in response to the magnetic field impinging thereon. The plurality of sensor elements are grouped into a first group from which a first measurement signal is derived and a second group from which a second measurement signal is derived, and the first measurement signal and the second measurement signal having a phase difference based on different phases. The magnetic sensor further includes a sensor circuit configured to receive the first measurement signal and the second measurement signal, and apply a signal conversion algorithm thereto to generate a converted measurement signal having an increased frequency with respect to the first measurement signal and the second measurement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventors: Helmut Koeck, Simon Hainz, Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Patent number: 11131684
    Abstract: A method of sensing a rotation speed of an encoder includes generating measurement values by a plurality of sensor elements in response to sensing a magnetic field, where the plurality of sensor elements are grouped into a first shifted pair, a central pair, and a second shifted pair; generating a first shifted differential measurement signal based on the measurement values generated by the first shifted pair, a central differential measurement signal based on the measurement values generated by the central pair, and a second shifted differential measurement signal based on the measurement values generated by the second shifted pair; and generating an output signal based on detecting the first shifted differential measurement signal, the central differential measurement signal, and the second shifted differential measurement signal crossing at least one threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventor: Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Patent number: 11125768
    Abstract: A sensor device is provided with a magnetic field sensitive element being positioned in a magnetic field of a magnet. The magnetic field sensitive element is configured to sense an orientation angle of the magnetic field in the range between 0° and 360° and generate a sensing signal. The electronic circuitry is configured to receive and process the sensing signal from the magnetic field sensitive element to generate an angle signal indicating the orientation angle of the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Helmut Koeck, Leo Aichriedler, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Andrea Monterastelli, Friedrich Rasbornig, Peter Slama, Dietmar Spitzer, Tobias Werth, Harald Witschnig
  • Publication number: 20210288725
    Abstract: A system includes a movable part that is rotatably movable, the movable part comprising a first portion and a second portion; transceiver circuitry configured to transmit a radio signal towards the movable part and to receive a receive radio signal from the movable part; and evaluation circuitry configured to determine a rotational position of the movable part based on the receive radio signal. The first portion of the movable part has a first electromagnetic reflectivity for the radio signal and the second portion of the movable part has a second electromagnetic reflectivity for the radio signal. The first electromagnetic reflectivity differs from the second electromagnetic reflectivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT, Erich Kolmhofer, Rudolf Lachner
  • Publication number: 20210255255
    Abstract: A method for generating a closed flux magnetization pattern of a predetermined rotational direction in a magnetic reference layer of a magnetic layer stack is provided. The method includes applying an external magnetic field in a predetermined direction to the magnetic layer stack causing magnetic saturation of the magnetic reference layer and of a pinned layer of the magnetic layer stack; and reducing the external magnetic field to form a first closed flux magnetization pattern in the magnetic reference layer and a second closed flux magnetization pattern in the pinned layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT, Armin SATZ, Juergen ZIMMER
  • Publication number: 20210247466
    Abstract: An autocalibration method includes generating at least one sensor signal in response to measuring a physical quantity; compensating the at least one sensor signal based on at least one compensation parameter to generate at least one compensated sensor signal; generating the at least one compensation parameter based on the at least one sensor signal or the at least one compensated sensor signal; comparing each of the at least one compensation parameter to a respective tolerance range; on a condition that each of the at least one compensation parameter is within its respective tolerance range, transmitting the at least one compensation parameter as at least one validated compensation parameter to be used for compensating the at least one sensor signal; and on a condition that at least one of the at least one compensation parameter is not within its respective tolerance range, generating a fault detection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT, Udo HAFNER, Benjamin KOLLMITZER
  • Publication number: 20210239496
    Abstract: A sensor module includes at least one sensor configured to generate sensor information and processing circuitry configured to generate a sensor signal based on the sensor information. The sensor signal includes a sync frame, including two sync signal edges defining the sync frame and indicating a pre-determined synchronization time interval, and the sensor signal further includes a plurality of data signal portions, including at least one data signal portion transmitted within the sync frame. The at least one data signal portion is provided within the sync frame located between the two sync signal edges, wherein each of the at least one data signal portion is defined by at least one data signal edge interposed in the sensor signal between the two sync signal edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT