Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first transistor array over a semiconductor substrate and is distributed among a first plurality of first transistor banks. A second transistor array in or over the semiconductor substrate is distributed among a second plurality of second transistor banks. A first one of the first transistor banks is located between a first one and a second one of the second transistor banks, and the second one of the second transistor banks is located between the first one of the first transistor banks and a second one of the first transistor banks. The first transistor array and the second transistor array may be alternately operated to implement a voltage-conversion integrated circuit.

Abstract: In some examples, an apparatus comprises a first coil, a second coil, a control circuit, and a processing circuit. The second coil is magnetically coupled to the first coil. The control circuit has a signal output coupled to the first coil, and a control output, and the control circuit configured to: responsive to a state of the control input, select a field strength level from a set of discrete field strength levels; and provide a first signal representing the selected field strength level at the signal output. Also, the processing circuit has processing inputs and a processing output, the processing inputs coupled to the second coil, the processing output coupled to the control input, and the processing circuit configured to, responsive to a second signal across the processing inputs, set a state of the processing output representing a polarity of a magnetic field sensed by the second coil.

Abstract: A circuit and method for magnetic field detection is disclosed. A fluxgate sensor comprises a fluxgate having a first core and a second core. A sense coil has a first winding around the first fluxgate core and a second winding around the second fluxgate core. A fluxgate detection circuit is coupled to the sense coil and outputs a signal proportional to an external magnetic field applied to the fluxgate. A detection circuit is coupled to the first winding and outputs a signal that indicates whether voltage pulses have been detected on the first winding.

Abstract: An integrated fluxgate magnetic gradient sensor includes a common mode sensitive fluxgate magnetometer and a differential mode sensitive fluxgate magnetometer. The common mode sensitive fluxgate magnetometer includes a first core adjacent to a second core. The first and second cores are wrapped by a first excitation wire coil configured to receive an excitation current that affects a differential mode magnetic field. The differential mode sensitive fluxgate magnetometer includes a third core adjacent to the first core and a fourth core adjacent to the second core. The third and fourth cores are wrapped by a second excitation wire coil configured to receive an excitation current that affects a common mode magnetic field.

Abstract: An integrated fluxgate magnetic gradient sensor includes a common mode sensitive fluxgate magnetometer and a differential mode sensitive fluxgate magnetometer. The common mode sensitive fluxgate magnetometer includes a first core adjacent to a second core. The first and second cores are wrapped by a first excitation wire coil configured to receive an excitation current that affects a differential mode magnetic field. The differential mode sensitive fluxgate magnetometer includes a third core adjacent to the first core and a fourth core adjacent to the second core. The third and fourth cores are wrapped by a second excitation wire coil configured to receive an excitation current that affects a common mode magnetic field.

Abstract: A circuit and method for magnetic field detection is disclosed. A fluxgate sensor comprises a fluxgate having a first core and a second core. A sense coil has a first winding around the first fluxgate core and a second winding around the second fluxgate core. A fluxgate detection circuit is coupled to the sense coil and outputs a signal proportional to an external magnetic field applied to the fluxgate. A detection circuit is coupled to the first winding and outputs a signal that indicates whether voltage pulses have been detected on the first winding.

Abstract: A method of processing an output signal and a readout circuit for a magnetic field sensor are disclosed. The purpose of the readout circuit is to generate a digital representation of the magnetic field vector strength. It comprises an input stage for receiving an output signal of the magnetic field sensor; an output stage for outputting a digital output signal corresponding to the sensor output signal; and an analog to digital conversion circuit. The analog to digital conversion circuit receives the sensor output signal and performs, in sequence, a fast conversion process for calculating a number of most significant bits of the digital output signal corresponding to the sensor output signal and for generating a compensation signal, and a delta sigma based conversion process for calculating at least one least significant bit of the digital output signal. The compensation signal is fed back to the sensor input for linearization.

Abstract: Hybrid magnetic current sensors and sensing apparatus are presented with closed-loop and open-loop circuitry employs first and second integrated magnetic sensors to sense a magnetic field in a magnetic core structure gap to provide high accuracy current measurement via a closed-loop magnetic circuit with the first sensor in a nominal current range as well as open-loop current measurement using the second sensor in an extended second range to accommodate over-current conditions in a host system as well as to provide redundant current sensing functionality.

Abstract: Hybrid magnetic current sensors and sensing apparatus are presented with closed-loop and open-loop circuitry employs first and second integrated magnetic sensors to sense a magnetic field in a magnetic core structure gap to provide high accuracy current measurement via a closed-loop magnetic circuit with the first sensor in a nominal current range as well as open-loop current measurement using the second sensor in an extended second range to accommodate over-current conditions in a host system as well as to provide redundant current sensing functionality.

Abstract: Hybrid magnetic current sensors and sensing apparatus are presented with closed-loop and open-loop circuitry employs first and second integrated magnetic sensors to sense a magnetic field in a magnetic core structure gap to provide high accuracy current measurement via a closed-loop magnetic circuit with the first sensor in a nominal current range as well as open-loop current measurement using the second sensor in an extended second range to accommodate over-current conditions in a host system as well as to provide redundant current sensing functionality.

Abstract: A method of processing an output signal and a readout circuit for a magnetic field sensor are disclosed. The purpose of the readout circuit is to generate a digital representation of the magnetic field vector strength. It comprises an input stage for receiving an output signal of the magnetic field sensor; an output stage for outputting a digital output signal corresponding to the sensor output signal; and an analog to digital conversion circuit. The analog to digital conversion circuit receives the sensor output signal and performs, in sequence, a fast conversion process for calculating a number of most significant bits of the digital output signal corresponding to the sensor output signal and for generating a compensation signal, and a delta sigma based conversion process for calculating at least one least significant bit of the digital output signal. The compensation signal is fed back to the sensor input for linearization.