Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a magnetic field sensor including a die, a coil proximate the die to generate a magnetic field, and a magnetic field sensing element having to detect changes in the magnetic field generated by the coil in response to a ferromagnetic target.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a magnetic sensor including an elliptical magnet to generate substantially circular concentric zones of similar flux density in a plane over and parallel to a surface of the magnet. The sensor can include a sensing element disposed a selected distance from the magnet and a substrate containing circuitry to process a signal from the sensing element to provide a sensor output.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotation detecting sensor suitable for use under a vibration-abundant condition as e.g. a sensor disposed in an automobile body for detecting rotation of an engine or ABS. The sensor includes a detecting element for detecting rotation of a rotary body as a change in a magnetic flux and outputting a signal and an integrated circuit for processing the amplified signal into a pulse corresponding to the detected rotation of the rotary body. The signal processing includes an initialization such as a gain adjustment for obtaining an appropriate gain for use in the subsequent process of conversion of the amplified signal to the pulse. According to this invention, a re-initialization is effected to obtain a new initial value such as a new gain if the previously effected initialization is determined inappropriate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotation detecting sensor suitable for use under a vibration-abundant condition as e.g. a sensor disposed in an automobile body for detecting rotation of an engine or ABS. The sensor includes a detecting element for detecting rotation of a rotary body as a change in a magnetic flux and outputting a signal and an integrated circuit for processing the amplified signal into a pulse corresponding to the detected rotation of the rotary body. The signal processing includes an initialization such as a gain adjustment for obtaining an appropriate gain for use in the subsequent process of conversion of the amplified signal to the pulse. According to this invention, a re-initialization is effected to obtain a new initial value such as a new gain if the previously effected initialization is determined inappropriate.

Abstract: A magnetic-field-to-voltage transducer includes a Hall element and a digitally gain-controlled Hall-voltage amplifier that produces an analog voltage Vsig having excursions of one polarity corresponding to the passing of magnetic articles. Vsig is applied to the input of a peak-referenced-threshold signal detector that generates a binary proximity-detector output voltage, Vout, having transitions of one direction upon approaches of gear teeth down to zero speed. A digitally gain-controlled amplifier is connected to the Hall element. A comparator circuit generates a binary signal Vbig (or Vtoobig) that changes from one to another binary level each time that Vsig exceeds a DC target voltage, VTG. The AGC circuit incrementally changes the transducer gain in the direction to bring the peaks in Vsig to just below the target value TTG. Reference voltages VP2 and VN2 are generated that are equal respectively to the most recent peak positive and negative going excursion in Vsig.

Abstract: The lead-frame in an integrated circuit package, a standard package designated SOT-89, has a plurality of leads of which at least one is an extension of a die-attach pad. At least one ground wing is formed as an extension of a peripheral portion of the die-attach pad and extends upward to approximately the plane of the top of the die. The ground wing has an upstanding portion and a horizontal portion that are at an angle to each other so as to lock the distal end of the wing in the body of encapsulating resin. An integrated circuit die having at least one electrical connection which is grounded electrically via a terminal and wire bonded to the distal part of the ground wing. A contact surface near the distal end of wing is positioned approximately in the plane of the top of the die. This ground circuit can parallel and can be redundant to a ground circuit through the die via the conductive bond that attaches the bottom of the die to the die-attach pad.

Abstract: A magnetic-field monitor includes a Hall sensor of the kind having a voltage reference terminal and a signal output terminal for being energized by applying a DC voltage across the output terminal and the reference terminal, and generates through the output terminal a low value current when the ambient magnetic field strength is low and a high output current when the magnetic field is high. The Hall sensor is connected via a pair of conductors to a Hall-sensor decoder circuit that is energized by a DC voltage source and in turn energizes the sensor via the pair of conductors. The decoder includes a current mirror circuit that mirrors the Hall-sensor current into a voltage divider. Three voltage comparators having different threshold voltages are connected at three points in the voltage divider.