Abstract: Methods and apparatus that can include a rotatable target to generate a sinusoidal signal in a magnetic field sensor, wherein the target includes a plurality of sinusoidal teeth to reduce angular error. A magnetic field sensor can be configured to determine a position of the target. In embodiments, a rotatable target to generate a sinusoidal signal in a magnetic field sensor can include a plurality of sinusoidal teeth and a number of harmonics to reduce angular error.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an integrated circuit includes: at least one sensing element configured to generate a sensed signal responsive to an electrical or magnetic phenomenon; an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the sensed signal into a digital signal; and a digital processor configured to detect a target frequency of the electrical or magnetic phenomenon by iteratively applying a first real-valued coefficient to samples of the digital signal using real-valued arithmetic.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method provide an output signal indicative of a speed of rotation and/or a direction of movement of a ferromagnetic object. The sensor includes at least one magnetic field sensing element configured to generate a magnetic field signal in response to a magnetic field associated with an object. The sensor includes a detector configured to generate a detector signal having edges occurring in response to a comparison of the magnetic field signal and the threshold signal. The sensor includes an output circuit configured to generate an output signal having a first format when a characteristic of the magnetic field signal is within a first range and having a second format different than the first format when the characteristic of the magnetic field signal is within a second range, different than the first range.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuits for electrical pixel background current injection tests for lidar systems are described. Systems, methods, and circuits for electrical pixel timing pulse current injection tests for lidar systems are further described. Systems, methods, and circuits for or pixel photodiode health checking/testing using on-chip bias adjustment and passive photo-current imaging circuitry for lidar systems are also described. Embodiments can be used for specification of an Application Safety Integration Level (ASIL) in compliance with a safety standard such as ISO 26262 or the like.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a magnetic sensor having a die and sensor circuitry formed in a device layer of the die with a coil integrated with the die to generate a magnetic field. A magnetoresistive magnetic field sensing element on the die detects changes in the magnetic field generated by the coil as a result of the presence of a ferromagnetic target. The sensor circuitry may process the changes in the magnetic field generated by the coil.

Abstract: A sensor includes a lead frame having a first surface, a second opposing surface, and a plurality of leads and a semiconductor die having a first surface attached to the first surface of the lead frame and a second, opposing surface. The sensor further includes a non-conductive mold material enclosing the die and at least a portion of the lead frame, a conductive coil secured to the non-conductive mold material, a mold material secured to the non-conductive mold material and enclosing the conductive coil, wherein the mold material has a central region and an element disposed in the central region of the mold material.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a level shifter coupled to receive a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage and configured to generate a first output signal and a second output signal in response to an input command signal and an edge detector configured to detect an edge on the second supply voltage and to sink a current from the level shifter in response to detection of the edge in order to prevent a change in logic state of the first output signal or the second output signal. The edge detector can include a positive edge detector configured to generate a positive edge signal in response to detection of a positive going edge of greater than a first predetermined slew rate and a negative edge detector configured to generate a negative edge signal in response to detection of a negative going edge of greater than a second predetermined slew rate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for linear inductive torque sensing that may include transmitting an AC magnetic field with a transmit coil toward a conductive target and receiving a field reflected by the conductive target with a receive coil, wherein the conductive target comprises first and second targets positioned with respect to each other and each shaped to linearly increase or decrease an amount of conductive area of the conductive target due to relative movement of the first and second targets which changes an amount of the field reflected by the conductive target. A signal from the receive coil can be processed to determine a relative position of the first and second targets corresponding to an amount of torque on an elongate member connected to the first and second targets. In other embodiments, a change in inductance of the transmit coil is measured to determine relative target position.

Abstract: A current sensor system, includes: a plurality of conductors that are integrated into a substrate, each of the plurality of conductors having a respective first through-hole formed therein and a plurality of current sensors, each of the plurality of current sensors being disposed on the substrate. Each of the plurality of current sensors is disposed above or below the respective first through-hole of a different one of the plurality of conductors, and the substrate includes a plurality of conductive traces, each coupled to at least one of the plurality of current sensors.

Abstract: A method comprising: receiving a first current measurement that is taken at a first predetermined time instant; receiving a second current measurement that is taken at a second predetermined time instant; classifying the first current measurement as corresponding to one of a plurality of electrical signals, the first current measurement being classified based, at least in part, on a duty cycle pattern of the plurality of electrical signals; classifying the second current measurement as corresponding to another one of the plurality of electrical signals, the second current measurement being classified based, at least in part, on the duty cycle pattern of the plurality of electrical signals; and adjusting a duty cycle of at least one of the electrical signals based on the first current measurement, the classification of the first current measurement, the second current measurement, and the classification of the second current measurement.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in a sensor, the method comprising: selecting a switching cycle for the sensor; transitioning the sensor into a state in which at least one component of the sensor is periodically turned on and off in accordance with the switching cycle; sampling an analog signal to generate a sampled signal, the analog signal being generated by at least one sensing element, the analog signal being sampled only during periods in which the at least one component of the sensor is turned on; and generating an output signal based, at least in part, on the sampled signal and outputting the output signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for receiving a return laser pulse at a detector system having pixels in a pixel array and analyzing a response of the pixels in the pixel array including comparing the response to at least one threshold corresponding to decay of photonic energy of the laser pulse over distance and target reflectivity, wherein the at least one threshold comprises a first threshold corresponding to a low trigger for a pulse generated by a first type of laser and a second threshold corresponding to a high trigger for the pulse generated by the first type of laser. Embodiments can further include generating an alert signal based on the response of the pixels in the pixel array.

Abstract: A current sensor integrated circuit configured to sense a current through a current conductor includes a lead frame at least one signal lead, a fan out wafer level package (FOWLP), and a mold material enclosing the FOWLP and a portion of the lead frame. The FOWLP includes a semiconductor die configured to support at least one magnetic field sensing element to sense a magnetic field associated with the current, wherein the semiconductor die has a first surface on which at least one connection pad is accessible, a redistribution layer in contact with the at least one connection pad, and an insulating layer in contact with the redistribution layer, wherein the insulating layer is configured to extend beyond a periphery of the semiconductor die by a minimum distance. The die connection pad is configured to be electrically coupled to the at least one signal lead.

Abstract: In one aspect, an angle sensor includes magnetic-field sensing elements that include a first pair, a second pair, a third pair and a fourth pair of magnetic-field sensing elements; and processing circuitry configured to determine an angle of a rotating ring magnetic having a plurality of North-South pole pairs each having a unique period length. The processing circuitry includes a first bridge formed from the first and second pairs of magnetic-field sensing elements and a second bridge formed from the third and fourth pairs of magnetic-field sensing elements. The angle includes a value from 0° to 360°. The first, second, third and fourth pairs of magnetic-field sensing elements are each disposed on a first axis. The first, second, third and fourth pairs of magnetic-field sensing elements each have a sensitivity in a first direction along the first axis. The angle sensor is formed on a single die.

Abstract: A method for controlling a buck-boost converter includes generating a first threshold voltage with a decreasing voltage level, generating a second threshold voltage with an increasing voltage level, and sensing an inductor current. A signal indicative of the sensed inductor current is compared to the first threshold voltage to control an on time of the high side buck switch and is compared to the second threshold voltage to control an off time of the high side boost switch. Also described is a controller including a compensator responsive to an output voltage feedback signal to generate a compensation voltage and a modulator having a buck signal path coupled to receive the compensation voltage and configured to control an on time of the high side buck switch and a boost signal path coupled to receive the compensation voltage and configured to control an off time of the high side boost switch.

Abstract: A method for use in a sensor, comprising: generating a signal that is indicative of an angular position of a rotating target, the signal being generated by at least one magnetic field sensing element; adjusting the signal to produce an adjusted signal, the signal being adjusted based on a current value of a first adjustment coefficient; generating an output signal based on the adjusted signal; and updating the first adjustment coefficient, the updating including replacing the current value of the first adjustment coefficient with a new value of the first adjustment coefficient, the updating being performed by minimizing a function that is based on the current value of the first adjustment coefficient.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor configured to sense an angle of a magnetic field associated with a rotatable target includes a first magnetic field sensing structure configured to generate a first signal indicative of the magnetic field and a second magnetic field sensing structure configured to generate a second signal indicative of the magnetic field, wherein the first and second magnetic field sensing structures are configured to detect quadrature components of the magnetic field. A controller responsive to the first and second signals includes an angle tracking observer having a sine block and a cosine block operatively coupled to compute the angular position of the target using a control loop based in part on a non-orthogonality error term and a magnitude calculator that uses the sine block and the cosine block to compute a magnitude of the magnetic field.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes forming a metal layer on a substrate, wherein the metal layer comprises a first coil, forming a planarized insulator layer on the metal layer, forming at least one via in the planarized insulator layer, depositing a magnetoresistance (MR) element on the planarized insulator layer, and forming a second coil extending above the MR element. The at least one via electrically connects to the metal layer on one end and to MR element on the other end.

Abstract: A sensor includes: a reference magnetic field generator configured to generate a reference magnetic field that is modulated at a first frequency, a first magnetic field sensing element that is configured to generate a first internal signal that is modulated at a second frequency, and a second magnetic field sensing element that is configured to generate a second internal signal that is modulated at the second frequency. A first amplifier is configured to receive the first internal signal and output a first amplified signal; and a second amplifier is configured to receive the second internal signal and output a second amplified signal. A gain adjustment circuit is configured to produce a gain adjustment signal and adjust a gain of at least one of the first amplifier and the second amplifier based on the gain adjustment signal.

Abstract: In one aspect, a linear sensor includes at least one magnetoresistance element that includes a first spin valve and a second spin valve positioned on the first spin valve. The first spin valve includes a first set of reference layers having a magnetization direction in a first direction and a first set of free layers having a magnetization direction in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The second spin valve includes a second set of reference layers having a magnetization direction in the first direction and a second set of free layers having a magnetization direction in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and antiparallel to the second direction. The first direction is neither parallel nor antiparallel to a direction of an expected magnetic field.