Abstract: Method and apparatus for trimming a magnetic field sensor having a first magnetic field sensing element. The trimming includes the use of a curve for normalized sensitivity of the first magnetic field sensing element derived from a first curve corresponding to current through a coil in a first direction at a first time. This produces a field affecting the first magnetic field sensing element versus an external field. The trimming further includes a second curve corresponding to current through the coil in a second direction opposite to the first direction at a second time to produce a field affecting the first magnetic field sensing element versus an external field.

Abstract: Magnetic-field sensors use magnetic closed-loops with magnetic-field sensing elements, e.g., magnetoresistance (MR) elements, and diagnostic circuitry operating in a separate frequency band than that used for magnetic field sensing. The MR elements can be used in a first stage of a high gain amplifier which provides a feedback signal to a feedback coil in a feedback configuration to provide a magnetic feedback field. The magnetic feedback field attenuates the sensed magnetic field so that the MR elements operate in a linear range. Magnetic stray field effects and any limited linearity of magnetic-field sensing elements can be masked by the loop gain of the closed loop. For a magnetic closed-loop, a negative feedback configuration can be used or a positive feedback configuration can be used with a loop-gain of less than one. The diagnostic signal traverses the closed-loop and provides information regarding correct or incorrect functioning of the loop components.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a signal isolator having reduced parasitics. An example embodiment, a signal isolator and include a first metal region electrically connected to a first die portion, a second die portion isolated from the first die portion, and a second metal region electrically connected to the second die portion. A third metal region can be electrically isolated from the first and second metal regions and a third die portion can be electrically isolated from the first, second and third metal regions. In embodiments, the first metal region, the second metal region, and the third metal region provide a first isolated signal path from the first die portion to the second die portion.

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: A semiconductor device is disclosed that includes a group of trenches positioned in active region inside a first semiconductor region. A first trench is positioned in an outer peripheral region on an outer side of an active region. A second trench is positioned on an outer side of the first trench positioned in the outer peripheral region on the outer side of the active region. A mesa portion is positioned between the first and the second trenches. An insulating layer is positioned inside the first and second trenches. A second field plate is positioned inside the insulating layer in the first trench. A third field plate positioned inside the second insulating layer in the second trench. The mesa portion includes the semiconductor region electrically coupled to the first main electrode on an outermost side. The first trench does not have the gate electrode at upper part of the first trench.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor can be are based upon three element vertical Hall element building blocks, e.g., three element or six element vertical Hall element arrangements, all arranged in a circle. In some embodiments, the circle of vertical Hall elements can be arranged as a CVH sensing element.

Abstract: A motor control system for controlling operation of a motor having a plurality of windings includes a gate driver to provide a control signal to one or more switching elements controlling a voltage applied to the plurality of windings and a Field Oriented Control (FOC) controller configured to generate a PWM signal for coupling to the gate driver, wherein the FOC controller comprises a d-axis control loop configured to generate an applied d-axis voltage and a q-axis control loop configured to generate an applied q-axis voltage. A stall detector is configured to calculate an estimate of the q-axis voltage and compare the applied q-axis voltage to a threshold based on the estimate in order to detect a stall condition of the motor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an orientation insensitive speed sensor. Magnetic field sensing elements can be located on a circle, for example, to generate first and second channel signals which can be combined to generate an output signal. The location of the magnetic field sensing elements reduces the effects of stray fields. Embodiments can include true power own state processing to determine target position during start up.

Abstract: In one aspect, a magnetic-field sensor includes main coil circuitry configured to generate a first magnetic field signal at a first frequency. A reflected signal is generated from a target caused by the first signal generated by the main coil circuitry. The magnetic field sensor also includes magnetoresistance circuitry configured to receive an error signal. The error signal is formed from a combination of the reflected signal and a second magnetic field signal. The magnetic-field sensor further includes analog circuitry configured to receive an output signal from the magnetoresistance circuitry, digital circuitry configured to receive an output signal from the analog circuitry, feedback circuitry configured to receive a feedback signal from one of the digital circuitry or the analog circuitry, and secondary coil circuitry configured to receive a driver signal from the feedback circuitry causing the secondary coil circuitry to generate the second magnetic field signal at the first frequency.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed including a sub-layer with first conductivity type, a drift layer with first conductivity type, a base region with second conductivity type positioned on the drift layer, a source region in contact with the base region, a source electrode, a plurality of trenches, at least one of the trenches in contact with the drift layer, the base region, and the source region, a plurality of insulating regions, at least one of the insulating regions positioned inside of each trench, a plurality of gate electrodes, at least one of the gate electrodes positioned inside of each trench; and a plurality of field plates, at least one of the field plates electrically connected to the source electrode and positioned in the insulating region in the trench. The field plate comprises high-resistance polysilicon.

Abstract: A system for controlling a motor includes a motor having a plurality of phases, each phase comprising a coil having a first end coupled to a motor neutral point. A motor driver circuit is coupled to a second end of each coil to provide power to each coil. A motor controller circuit is coupled to the motor driver circuit to control the power that is provided to the motor. A comparator is coupled to compare a voltage at the motor neutral point to a voltage at the second end of each coil to detect a back-EMF polarity and produce a polarity signal representing the back-EMF polarity. A back-EMF filter circuit is coupled to receive the polarity signal and invert the polarity signal if the polarity signal does not match an expected value.

Abstract: A method for testing a signal path in a sensor, the signal path including a filter circuit and a comparator circuit, the method including: closing a first signal line that is arranged to bypass a first capacitor in the filter circuit; injecting a test signal into the signal path after the first signal line is closed; and detecting whether a signal that is output by the comparator circuit in response to the test signal satisfies a predetermined condition.

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.

Abstract: A current sensor includes a lead frame having a plurality of leads, at least two of which form a current conductor configured to carry a current that generates a magnetic field and a substrate having first and second opposing surfaces, the first surface proximate to said current conductor and the second surface distal from the current conductor. A first magnetic field transducer is disposed on the substrate and a first coil is disposed on the substrate adjacent to the first magnetic field transducer, wherein the first magnetic field transducer and the first coil are positioned on a first side of the current conductor. A second magnetic field transducer is disposed on the substrate and a second coil is disposed on the substrate adjacent to the second magnetic field transducer, wherein the second magnetic field transducer and the second coil are positioned on a second side of the current conductor.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) and an integrated circuit (IC). The IC is configured to transmit, to the ECU, absolute data on a message line at a first rate; and transmit, to the ECU, incremental data on an index line at a second rate. The second rate is faster than the first rate and the incremental data includes data associated with changes in the absolute data.

Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit includes a first conductive layer and a magnetoresistance element (MRE) disposed over and coupled to the first layer through first vias. The MRE is magnetized to produce a first magnetic orientation. The first layer is disposed over and coupled to a second conductive layer in the circuit through second vias. The circuit also includes a metal filler disposed proximate to the MRE. The metal filler is positioned over and coupled to the second layer through third vias. The circuit also includes a thermal dissipation path resulting from a physical input applied to the first MRE. The thermal dissipation path extends through the first through third vias, the first and second layers, an integrated circuit interconnection, and the metal filler.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining a mechanical angle of a target from sine and cosine signals generated by inductive sensing elements by applying harmonic compensation on the sine and cosine signals using possible mechanical angles and analyzing results of the applied harmonic compensation. One of the mechanical angles can be selected based on the results of the applied harmonic compensation. In embodiments, a cost function can be used to select the mechanical angle.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method implemented in electronic circuitry includes: receiving a first signal having a sinusoidal waveform; receiving a second signal having a sinusoidal waveform; generating a composite signal responsive to the first and second signals; determining an orthogonality adjustment coefficient based on a duty cycle of the composite signal; and applying the orthogonality adjustment coefficient to generate an adjusted second signal that is substantially orthogonal to the first signal.

Abstract: A joystick assembly for use with a device including a joystick surface and a first magnet having north and south magnetic poles includes a second magnet having north and south magnetic poles and a movable elongated shaft having first and second opposing ends arranged along a major axis of the shaft. The first end of the shaft is coupled to the second magnet such that movement of the shaft results in movement of the second magnet relative to the first magnet such that a line between centers of the north and south magnetic poles of the second magnet is movable relative to a line between the north and south magnetic poles of the first magnet. An attraction of the second magnet to the first magnet results in a restoring force upon the shaft, and the shaft and the second magnet are removable from the joystick surface.

Abstract: A sensor is provided comprising: a substrate having a first region and a second region; a first series of first magnetoresistive (MR) elements formed on the substrate, the first series of first MR elements including at least two first MR elements; a second series of second MR elements formed on the substrate, the second series of second MR elements being electrically coupled to the first series of MR elements to form a bridge circuit, the second series of MR elements including at least two second MR elements, each of the second MR elements having a different pinning direction than at least one of the first MR elements, wherein one of the first MR elements and one of the second MR elements are formed in the first region of the substrate and have different pinning directions.