Abstract: A system, comprising a bus bar having a first through-hole formed therein and a first current sensor that is disposed adjacent to the first branch. The first through-hole is arranged to define, at least in part, a first branch of the bus bar and a second branch of the bus bar. The first branch has different length and/or thickness than the second branch. The first current sensor is arranged to measure an electrical current through the bus bar.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for prosing a sensor IC package having first and second sets of magnetic field sensing elements and a third set of magnetic field sensing elements located between the first and second positions, wherein the first, second, and third sets of magnetic field sensing elements have a first axis of sensitivity and a second axis of sensitivity, wherein the first and second axes of sensitivity are orthogonal. The sensor IC package is positioned in relation to a target comprising a two-pole magnet and the first and second axes of sensitivity are perpendicular to an axis about which the target rotates. Differential signals are processed to determine an absolute position of the target. A first secondary angle position is generated from the first and third sets of magnetic field sensing elements.

Abstract: A system comprising: a clock configured to generate a clock signal, the clock signal being arranged to have N type-1 features in a given time period, each of the N type-1 features of the clock signal being generated in a different one of a plurality of time slots of the given time period; a signal generator configured to generate a randomized signal based on the clock signal, the randomized signal being generated by selecting M time slots from the plurality of time slots and transitioning the randomized signal from a first value to a second value in each of the selected M time slots, wherein M and N are positive integers and M<N.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for capacitively isolated first communication channels with common mode noise suppression. In embodiments, a driver on the first circuit transmits a data signal on the first communication channel to a receiver on the second circuit. A common mode suppression circuit on the second circuit is coupled to the receiver, output of the suppression circuit is coupled to a node between the first capacitor and the resistor network and an input is coupled to a ground of the first circuit via a second capacitor. The common mode suppression circuit is configured to detect a common mode movement signal due to a noise pulse to the second circuit on the input and generate a corresponding signal on the output to maintain a current level across the resistor network for suppressing common mode noise from the pulse.

Abstract: A sensor integrated circuit (IC) includes a sensing element configured to sense a parameter associated with a target, a processor coupled to the sensing element and configured to generate a sensed signal indicative of the parameter associated with the target, and an output module coupled to receive the sensed signal. The output module is configured to transmit absolute data on a message line at a first rate and transmit incremental data on one or more index lines at a second rate, wherein the second rate is faster than the first rate, wherein the incremental data comprises data associated with changes in the absolute data and wherein an edge or a pulse is used to indicate an incremental change has occurred in the absolute data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus receiving data at a first time from at least one sensor, determining a parameter from the received data for the first time, estimating the parameter for a future time based on the data for first time, and outputting the estimated parameter for the future time to a receiving device. In some embodiments, an IC package can process the received data to generate the estimated parameter for the future time. The IC package may transmit the estimated parameter using a particular protocol. In some embodiments, the receiving device can treat the estimated parameter as real-time data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for motor control having low noise variable-high frequency signal injection for an electric motor. Different injection signals have different signal characteristics. One of the first and second injection signals is selected on a cycle-by-cycle basis as part of a direct voltage signal input to control an electric motor. The first and second signal characteristics are configured to reduce acoustic noise generated by an electric motor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensors having a main coil to direct a magnetic field at a rotatable target for inducing eddy currents in the target and a receive coil having sine and cosine coils for detecting a reflected field from the target wherein each of the sine and cosine coils is configured such that an asymmetric reflected field from the target seen by the sine and cosine coils corresponds to conductive properties of a surface of the target in relation to the main coil and the receive coil. The sine coil comprises first and second constituent coils offset from each other to compensate for third order harmonic effects and the cosine coil comprises first and second constituent coils to compensate for third order harmonic effects.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor including a plurality of magnetoresistive elements; each magnetoresistive element including a ferromagnetic layer having a magnetization that is orientable at or above a threshold temperature; the magnetic sensor further includes a plasmonic structure destined to be irradiated by electromagnetic radiation and including a spatially periodic plasmonic array of metallic structures. The period of the plasmonic array and the lateral dimension of the metallic structures are adjusted to obtain plasmon resonance of the plasmonic structure for a given wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation. The plasmonic array is arranged in the magnetic sensor such as to heat the first ferromagnetic layer at or above the threshold temperature, from the enhanced absorption of the electromagnetic radiation by plasmon resonance. The present disclosure further concerns a system including the sensor and an emitting device configured to emit electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuits provide passively Q-switched laser systems operable to emit a pulse train that is synchronized to a reference clock operating at a relatively high pulse repetition frequency. Such pulsed laser systems can include a gain medium; a pump source that excites the gain medium into a higher energy state; a passive Q-switch; a photodetector that produces an electronic signal synchronous with the laser output pulse; and an electronic control system that inputs the signal from the photodetector and controls the pump source to optimize the synchronization between the output laser pulses and a reference clock. The clock source may be internally generated by the electronic control system or input externally. In some examples and embodiments, passively Q-switched lasers can be utilized as transmitters in automotive LIDAR systems.

Abstract: Magnetic field sensor for sensing a two-dimensional external magnetic field, including a magnetic tunnel junction including a reference layer having a fixed reference magnetization, a sense ferromagnetic layer having a sense magnetization, and a tunnel barrier layer between the sense and reference ferromagnetic layers; the sense ferromagnetic layer including a first sense ferromagnetic layer in contact with the tunnel barrier layer, a second sense ferromagnetic layer, and a first non-magnetic layer between the first and second sense ferromagnetic layers; the second sense ferromagnetic layer includes a plurality of multilayer element, each multilayer element including a second non-magnetic layer between two second ferromagnetic sense layers; and wherein the second sense ferromagnetic layer has a thickness equal or less than 12 nm.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining signal offset correction signals. In embodiments, first and second magnetic field sensing elements generate first and second channels that are in quadrature. Signal correction processing includes storing amplitudes of the first and second channel signals when an amplitude of the channel signals cross zero and determine an offset of the first and second channel signals based on the stored amplitudes.

Abstract: A current sensor system includes a current sensor integrated circuit (IC) and a printed circuit board (PCB) having a ground plane with a feature configured to reduce an eddy current. The current sensor IC includes a lead frame comprising a die attach pad and at least one lead, a semiconductor die having a first surface attached to the die attach pad and a second, opposing surface, at least one magnetic field sensing element supported by the semiconductor die and configured to sense a current in a proximate primary conductor, and a non-conductive mold material enclosing the semiconductor die and a portion of the at least one lead. The PCB ground plane feature can take various forms such as a hole of a dimension larger than the current sensor IC, elongated cuts, or x-shaped cuts.

Abstract: Magnetically-activated solid state switches can include a magnetic field sensor, control circuitry configured to implement a comparison or ON/OFF logic, an output switch, a rectifier, power regulator, and charge pump, as shown. A magnetically-activated solid state switch can include a sensor bias or driver block. An analog front end may be present to amplify and/or condition the output signals produced by magnetic field sensor. Terminals can accommodate a unidirectional DC input signal or a bidirectional or AC input signal. In the ON state, the solid state output switch is configured by the control circuitry to turn OFF at a periodic rate to maintain sufficient charge to allow the solid state magnetic field sensor to sense a magnetic field. In the OFF state, the low-power regulator can periodically turn on and provide power to the magnetic field sensor for taking a magnetic field measurement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a three-phase electric motor by determining a duration of current measurement windows within a first pulse width modulation period for measuring motor current using a single shunt coupled to the motor. A duration of a first one of the current measurement windows can be adjusted by a time delta value to meet a minimum time to measure the motor current. A next PWM period can include compensation for the time delta value. In embodiments window adjustments are made by modifying the high state of a middle phase signal for phase signals to switches that energize the motor.

Abstract: An apparatus including; a substrate; an isolator that is formed over the substrate, the isolator including a silicon shield layer that is formed between a first buried oxide (BOX) layer and a second BOX layer; a silicon layer having an oxide trench structure formed therein, the oxide trench structure being arranged to define a first silicon island and a second silicon island; a first electronic circuit that is formed over the first silicon island; and a second electronic circuit that is formed over the second silicon island, the first electronic circuit being electrically coupled to the first electronic circuit.

Abstract: A transconductance amplifier has a voltage input, a current output, and a control signal. A transconductance of the transconductance amplifier has an inverse relationship with the control signal. In some embodiments, the transconductance of the transconductance amplifier has a reciprocal relationship with the control signal. A switching voltage regulator uses the transconductance amplifier in a current control loop of a current mode switching regulator.

Abstract: A current sensor assembly can include: a coil structure having a first coil and a second coil connected in series, the coil structure configured to generate a differential magnetic field responsive to an electrical current passing through the first and second coils; a first magnetic field sensing element disposed proximate to the first coil and operable to generate a first signal responsive to the differential magnetic field passing through the first magnetic field sensing element in a first direction; a second magnetic field sensing element disposed proximate to the second coil and operable to generate a second signal responsive to the differential magnetic field passing through the second magnetic field sensing element in a second direction; and a circuit operable to subtract the first and second signals to generate a differential signal proportional to the electrical current.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a signal sensing block including at least two sensing elements. Each of the at least two sensing elements is configured to generate an output that represents a first parameter associated with the sensor system. The sensor system also includes a data acquisition block configured to convert the outputs of the at least two sensing elements into digital data to be retrieved by a data retrieval block. The digital data is stored in one or more data registers of the data acquisition block. The sensor system also includes a data freeze block configured to cause the one or more data registers to refrain from updating with new data while the data retrieval block is retrieving the stored digital data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a magnetic field include a semiconductor substrate, a coil configured to provide a changing magnetic field in response to a changing current in the coil; and a magnetic field sensing element supported by the substrate. The coil receives the changing current and, in response, generates a changing magnetic field. The magnetic field sensing element detects the presence of a magnetic target by detecting changes to the magnetic field caused by the target and comparing them to an expected value.