Abstract: Disclosed are example systems, methods, and techniques for adaptively varying a resolution of information output from a sensor device. In particular, described are example systems, methods, and techniques for adaptively varying a resolution of information output from a sensor device based on a frequency of rotation of a target. Also described herein are example systems, methods, and techniques for conveying which of a series of events caused information to be output from a sensor device.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a sensor includes: one or more sensing elements configured to generate a magnetic field signal having a magnetic field component that varies in response to a magnetic field and an offset component contributed by the one or more sensing elements; a modulation circuit configured to modulate the magnetic field component of the magnetic field signal at a modulation frequency; an amplifier configured to receive the modulated signal and provide an amplified modulated signal having a current responsive to at least the magnetic field and the offset contributed by the one or more sensing elements; and a sample and hold circuit configured to receive the amplified modulated signal and provide a conditioned signal having a current that varies in response to the magnetic field signal and having substantially zero offset contribution from the one or more sensing elements and from the amplifier.

Abstract: A system comprising: a conductor having a through-hole and a first notch that are formed therein, the through-hole and the first notch being arranged to define, at least in part, a first branch of the conductor, and the through-hole also being arranged to define, at least in part, a second branch of the conductor; and a current sensor that is disposed directly above the first branch of the conductor and the side of the second branch of the conductor, such that no portion of the current sensor is situated directly above the second branch.

Abstract: An apparatus, including: a processing circuitry; a first magnetoresistance (MR) sensing element including a first sequence of first MR structures that are coupled to each other, the first sequence of first MR structures defining at least one first turn that is wound in a first direction; a second MR sensing element including a second sequence of second MR structures that are coupled to each other, the second sequence of second MR structures defining at least one second turn that is wound in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction; a third MR sensing element including a third sequence of third MR structures that are coupled to each other, the third sequence of third MR structures defining at least one third turn that is wound in the first direction; a fourth MR sensing element including a fourth sequence of fourth MR structures that are coupled to each other, the fourth sequence of fourth MR structures defining at least one fourth turn that is wound in the second directio

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a magnetoresistive sensor (MR) element, comprising a reference layer having a reference magnetization; a sense layer having a sense magnetization comprising a vortex configuration stable under the presence of an external magnetic field, the sense magnetization being reversibly movable in a direction out-of-plane relative to the reference magnetization when the external magnetic field varies in a direction out-of-plane; and a tunnel barrier layer between the reference layer and the sense layer. The MR element further comprises a dipolar assisting layer, configured to generate a dipolar stray field oriented substantially out-of-plane, such that the dipolar stray field is added to the out-of-plane external magnetic field, resulting in an effective magnetic field that is larger than and proportional to the external magnetic field. The present disclosure further concerns a magnetic sensor device comprising the MR element.

Abstract: Systems, structures, circuits, and methods provide integrated circuit (IC) packages or modules having a transformer initially fabricated without a core. First and second semiconductor dies are disposed on a lead frame or other substrate. First and second coils are configured to about an aperture region. A hole or aperture may be formed in the IC package in the aperture region so a core may be placed and received in the aperture at a later time, e.g., such as after testing. The core may be a soft ferromagnetic material, e.g., metal, ferrite, and/or or a moldable material. In some examples, an insulating coating may be placed on the package to increase the isolation capability of the final package. The IC packages and modules may include various types of circuits; in some examples, IC packages or modules may include a galvanically isolated gate driver or other high voltage circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed are example systems and methods for detecting and compensating for an offset in a signal, such as a signal received from a sensor device. In particular, described are example systems and methods for detecting and compensating for an offset, such as a current offset, in a square wave signal. An offset in a signal received from a sensor device may occur, for example, when a resistive short exists somewhere in a circuit coupling the signal output from the sensor device to components that detect a level (or value) of the signal output from the sensor device. Using systems and methods disclosed herein, such an offset may be detected, and the signal can be compensated, such that the signal can be accurately detected and interpreted.

Abstract: An apparatus, comprising: a first transmitting coil including at least one first portion and at least one second portion, the first and second portions having different polarities; and a second transmitting coil that is disposed above or below the first transmitting coil, the second transmitting coil including at least one third portion and at least one fourth portion, the third and fourth portions having different polarities, wherein the first and second transmitting coils are configured so that, when the first transmitting coil is not driven and the second transmitting coil is driven, a net magnetic flux through at least one of the first portions is approximately zero, the net magnetic flux being a magnetic flux that is entirely attributable to the second transmitting coil.

Abstract: A sensor, comprising: a conductor having a curved portion; a first anchor magnetic field sensing element that is formed at an intersection of a first axis and a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, the first magnetic field sensing element being formed on a space that is partially enclosed by the curved portion; a first magnetic field sensing element that is formed on the first axis, the first magnetic field sensing element being disposed on an opposite side of the conductor from the first anchor magnetic field sensing element; and a second magnetic field sensing element that is formed on the second axis, the second magnetic field sensing element being disposed on an opposite side of the conductor from the first anchor magnetic field sensing element.

Abstract: A current sensor can include a die, a primary current path to carry a primary current through the sensor, and a plurality of magnetic field sensors for sensing current flow along the primary current path. The primary current path can include one or more inlet pillars through which the primary current can enter the die, one or more outlet pillars through which the primary current can exit the die, and an internal conductor coupled between the inlet and outlet pillars. The magnetic field sensors can include one or more magnetic field sensors for sensing the primary current flowing through the inlet pillar, one or more magnetic field sensors for sensing the primary current flowing through the outlet pillar, and one or more magnetic field sensors for sensing the primary current flowing through the inlet pillar, the outlet pillar, the internal conductor, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A current sensor, comprising: a short circuit sensing circuit that is configured to detect increases in a level of electrical current through a conductor, the short circuit sensing circuit including at least one sensing element, a rectifier, and a detector, the sensing element being configured to generate a signal in response to a magnetic field that is generated by the conductor as a result of electrical current flowing through the conductor, the rectifier being configured to rectify the signal to produce a rectified signal, and the detector being configured to compare a characteristic of the rectified signal to a threshold and generate, at least in part, an output signal that is indicative of a presence of a short circuit when the characteristic of the rectified signal exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A sensor, comprising: a first magnetic field sensing element that is configured to generate a first threshold signal; a second magnetic field sensing element that is configured to generate a second threshold signal; a first comparator that is configured to compare a reference signal to the first threshold signal and generate a first comparison signal; a second comparator that is configured to compare the reference signal to the second threshold signal and generate a second comparison signal; and a pulse-width modulating circuit (PWM circuit) that is configured to generate a pulse-width modulated signal (PWM signal) based on the first comparison signal and the second comparison signal; and a reference circuitry that is configured to generate the reference signal, the reference signal being a time-varying signal.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a sensor includes: one or more sensing elements configured to generate a sensor output signal responsive to a measured quantity, a non-volatile memory, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive an address programming command from a controller via a shared bus, the address programming command including a new address to be assigned to one of a plurality of sensors connected to the controller via the shared bus; determine whether to process the address programming command based at least in part on comparing the measured quantity to one or more predetermined threshold values; and in response to determining to process the address programming command, store the new address to the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A method for use in an electronic device, comprising: receiving a type-1 message, the type-1 message being received via a data bus; transitioning an analog terminal into a first state in which a signal that is output on the analog terminal has a first value; receiving a type-2 message on the data bus that includes an address that is available to be claimed; waiting for a random duration after receiving the type-2 message and then transmitting an acknowledgment for the type-2 message; monitoring traffic on the data bus to detect when or if any other acknowledgments are transmitted in response to the type-2 message; when the transmitted acknowledgement is the first or only acknowledgement to be transmitted in response to the type-2 message, claiming the address.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) regulator includes a pass element and a buffer. The pass element has an input terminal coupled to the regulator input, an output terminal coupled to the regulator output, and a control terminal and the buffer has an output coupled to the regulator output. A pass element current between the input terminal and output terminal is independent of the load current associated with a functional circuit of the IC and the buffer is configured to shunt any portion of the pass element current that is greater than the load current.

Abstract: Magnetoresistive element (20) for sensing an external magnetic field, comprising a tunnel barrier layer (22) sandwiched between a ferromagnetic reference layer (21) having a pinned reference magnetization (210), and a ferromagnetic sense layer (23) having a sense magnetization (230), wherein the reference, tunnel barrier, and sense layers (21, 22, 23) are stacked perpendicular to a layer plane (PL) thereof. The reference magnetization (210) is oriented substantially perpendicular to the layer plane (PL), and the sense magnetization (230) is oriented substantially parallel to the layer plane (PL). At least the sense layer (23) has an annular cross-section in the layer plane (PL), with an inner diameter (Dint) and an outer diameter (Dout). The sense magnetization (230) has a closed flux path configuration that is orientable either in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first type dopant. In some embodiments, the semiconductor device also includes an epitaxial layer above the substrate, having a second type dopant and a top region. In some embodiments, the semiconductor device also includes a trench in the top region of the epitaxial layer; at least one doped ring implanted in the epitaxial layer below the trench; and a dielectric material filling within the trench. In some embodiments, there is a twelve-sided body tie in the epitaxial layer, wherein the sides of the twelve-sided body tie are not all equal to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic angular sensor device configured to measure the orientation of the external applied magnetic field. Example embodiments of the disclosure provide methods and apparatus to generate an output voltage that is linear with respect to the orientation of the external applied magnetic field with angular magnetic field ranges up to ±90°.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for speed sensor having a first detection module with a first sensing element. The first detection module is configured to detect movement of a target during a first mode of operation and a second detection module is configured to detect movement of the target during a low power mode of operation.

Abstract: Systems, structures, circuits, packages and methods provide low-power devices such as sensors and sensor packages having one or more Wiegand coils that can be used for activation of a sensor or other device, as well as potentially supplying operating power. In some embodiments, one or more Wiegand coils can be located in a sensor package, e.g., as one or more discrete components in the package and/or on formed on or connected to a semiconductor die within the package, for providing wake-up and/or continuous power. The Wiegand coil(s) can be separated from the sensor die in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the Wiegand coil(s) can be constructed on the die itself.