Patents Assigned to Allegro Microsystems, LLC
  • Magnetic field sensors for detecting absolute position of multi-track targets
    Patent number: 11346688
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for sensing an absolute position of a target includes a first magnetic field sensing element disposed proximate to a first portion of the target having a first cross-sectional shape configured to generate a first periodic magnetic field signal in response to movement of the first target portion and a second magnetic field sensing element disposed proximate to a second portion of the target having a second cross-sectional shape configured to generate a second periodic magnetic field signal in response to movement of the second target portion, wherein the first periodic magnetic field signal and the second periodic magnetic field signal have a substantially constant phase separation. An output format module responsive to the first periodic magnetic field signal and the second periodic magnetic field signal is configured to generate an output signal of the magnetic field sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventor: Logan G. Stewart
  • SIGNAL ISOLATOR HAVING ENHANCED CREEPAGE CHARACTERISTICS
    Publication number: 20220165647
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a signal isolator having enhanced creepage characteristics. In embodiments, a signal isolator IC package comprises a leadframe including a die paddle having a first surface to support a die and an exposed second surface. A die is supported by a die paddle wherein a width of the second surface of the die paddle is less than a width of the die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Briano, Shixi Louis Liu, William P. Taylor
  • Signal isolator having at least one isolation island
    Patent number: 11342288
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Briano, Alejandro Gabriel Milesi
  • ROTARY INDUCTIVE SENSOR
    Publication number: 20220155106
    Abstract: An apparatus, comprising: a transmitting coil; a first receiving coil having a first receiving coil portion and a second receiving coil portion, the first receiving coil portion and the second receiving coil portion being coupled to one another, and the first receiving coil portion and the second receiving coil portion each including N lobes, where N is an integer and N?1; a second receiving coil having a third receiving coil portion and a fourth receiving coil portion, the third receiving coil portion and the fourth receiving coil portion being coupled to one another, and the third receiving coil portion and the fourth receiving coil portion each including N lobes; wherein the first receiving coil is disposed over the second receiving coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Emanuele Andrea Casu, Yannick Vuillermet
  • ROTARY INDUCTIVE SENSOR
    Publication number: 20220155050
    Abstract: A system, comprising: a processing circuitry configured to: receive a first signal that is indicative of a flux density of a magnetic field, the magnetic field being generated by a rotating target; identify a level of a predetermined type of peak in the first signal, the predetermined type of peak occurring once during each revolution of the target; and output a reference signal when an instant level of the first signal matches the level of the predetermined type of peak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Cedric Gillet, Emanuele Andrea Casu
  • MAGNETIC FIELD SENSOR WITH STACKED TRANSDUCERS AND CAPACITIVE SUMMING AMPLIFIER
    Publication number: 20220155387
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a current source configured to generate a bias current, a plurality of magnetic field transducers, each having power terminals coupled to the current source and output terminals at which an output signal of the transducer is provided, wherein the power terminals of each of the plurality of magnetic field transducers are electrically coupled together in series so that the bias current flows through each of the plurality of magnetic field transducers in series. A capacitively-coupled summing amplifier has a plurality of inputs, each configured to receive the output signal of a respective one of the plurality of magnetic field transducers, and an output at which an amplified and summed signal is provided, wherein the capacitively-coupled summing amplifier is configured to amplify and sum the received output signals of the plurality of magnetic field transducers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Craig S. Petrie, Hernán D. Romero, David J. Haas
  • SIGNALING BETWEEN MASTER AND ONE OR MORE SLAVE COMPONENTS TO SHARE ABSOLUTE AND INCREMENTAL DATA
    Publication number: 20220159073
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Nevenka Kozomora, Andrea Foletto, Emanuele Andrea Casu
  • Sensors having dynamic phase compensation
    Patent number: 11333718
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a magnetic field sensor having dynamic offset compensation that determines offset voltages for a number of phases each having a bias current across a magnetic field sensing element in a different direction. Pairs of the determined offset voltages for the phases are combined and one of the combined pairs of offset voltages is selected based on a criteria, such as lowest voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Nicolás Ronis, Franco Noel Martin Pirchio
  • Angle sensor with offline error correction
    Patent number: 11333486
    Abstract: An angle sensor can have a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements configured to detect a magnetic field and generate a respective plurality of magnetic field signals. In response to these magnetic field signals, a processor generates an uncorrected angle signal that is indicative of an angle of the magnetic field. An error corrector generates an error value using one or more of the previous samples of the uncorrected angle signal, and a summation element applies the error value to a current sample of the uncorrected angle signal to generate a corrected angle signal. The error corrector can generate the error value by applying a correction factor to a previous sample of the uncorrected angle signal, or by applying a correction factor to a predicted current sample of the uncorrected angle signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Nicolas Rigoni, Octavio H. Alpago
  • Absolute angle sensor with improved accuracy using error estimation
    Patent number: 11333530
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method can include receiving, by an angle sensor, a first periodic angle signal indicative of an angle of a first magnetic field associated with a first track of a target; receiving, by the angle sensor, a second periodic angle signal indicative of an angle of a second magnetic field associated with a second track of the target; generating an uncorrected absolute angle signal indicative of an absolute angle of the target based on the first and second periodic angle signals; determining an estimated error associated with the uncorrected absolute angle signal based on the first periodic angle signal and the second periodic signal; subtracting the estimated error from the uncorrected absolute angle to generate a corrected absolute angle signal; and providing the corrected absolute angle signal as output of the angle sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventor: Andrea Foletto
  • Magnetic field sensor with reduced influence of external stray magnetic fields
    Patent number: 11327127
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor responsive to a movement of a target object can include a plurality of magnetoresistance elements arranged in a line and having a span according to y(1?1/x), where y is equal a full spatial period of the target object and where x is equal to a total quantity of magnetoresistance elements in the plurality of magnetoresistance elements. The plurality of magnetic field sensing elements is operable to generate a signal that is substantially not responsive to the movement of the target object but is responsive to stray external magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Rémy Lassalle-Balier, Maxime Rioult, Jean-Michel Daga
  • Method and apparatus for eliminating bit disturbance errors in non-volatile memory devices
    Patent number: 11327882
    Abstract: A method comprising: performing a first read from an address in a data storage module by using a first read voltage; storing, in a first register, data that is retrieved from the data storage module as a result of the first read; performing a second read from the address by using a second read voltage; storing, in a second register, data that is retrieved from the data storage module as a result of the second read; detecting whether a weak bit condition is present at the address based on the data that is stored in the first register and the data that is stored in the second register; and correcting the weak bit condition, when the weak bit condition is present at the address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Muhammed Sarwar, Vyankatesh Gupta, James McClay, Sundar Chetlur, Harianto Wong, Gerardo A. Monreal, Nicolás Rafael Biberidis, Octavio H. Alpago, Nicolas Rigoni
  • Rotary inductive sensor
    Patent number: 11326903
    Abstract: An apparatus, comprising: a transmitting coil; a first receiving coil having a first receiving coil portion and a second receiving coil portion, the first receiving coil portion and the second receiving coil portion being coupled to one another, and the first receiving coil portion and the second receiving coil portion each including N lobes, where N is an integer and N?1; a second receiving coil having a third receiving coil portion and a fourth receiving coil portion, the third receiving coil portion and the fourth receiving coil portion being coupled to one another, and the third receiving coil portion and the fourth receiving coil portion each including N lobes; wherein the first receiving coil is disposed over the second receiving coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Emanuele Andrea Casu, Yannick Vuillermet
  • DIFFERENTIAL CURRENT SENSOR
    Publication number: 20220137103
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring a current difference between at least two current traces in a circuit board. Each wire or trace generates a magnetic field which may then be measured by at least one magnetic field sensing element positioned on an integrated circuit, such as a current sensor integrated circuit or a differential magnetic field sensor integrated circuit. An output disconnect signal may be provided from the current sensor or differential magnetic field sensing integrated circuit to indicate that a current difference above a predetermined threshold exists in the two or more current traces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Briano, Wade Bussing, Timothy A. Clark
  • Systems and Methods for Integrated Shielding in a Current Sensor
    Publication number: 20220137097
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed towards integrating a shield layer into a current sensor to shield a magnetic field sensing element and associated circuitry in the current sensor from electrical, voltage, or electrical transient noise. In an embodiment, a shield layer may be disposed along at least one surface of a die supporting a magnetic field sensing element. The shield layer may be disposed in various arrangements to shunt noise caused by a parasitic coupling between the magnetic field sensing element and the current carrying conductor away from the magnetic field sensing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Shaun D. Milano, Bryan Cadugan, Michael C. Doogue, Alexander Latham, William P. Taylor, Harianto Wong, Sundar Chetlur
  • Targets for coil actuated position sensors
    Patent number: 11320496
    Abstract: Apparatus includes a first portion of conductive material having varying response to a generated magnetic field along a length of the conductive material, wherein the first portion of conductive material produces a varying eddy current and a varying reflected magnetic field, in response to the generated magnetic field. The apparatus further includes one or more reference portions of conductive material having a relatively invariable response to the generated magnetic field, wherein the reference portion of conductive material produces a relatively invariable eddy current and a relatively invariable reflected magnetic field in response to the generated magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignees: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC, COMMISSARIAT À L'ÉNERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ÉNERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Alexander Latham, Claude Fermon, Gerardo A. Monreal, Alejandro Gabriel Milesi
  • Differential current sensor
    Patent number: 11320466
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring a current difference between at least two current traces in a circuit board. Each wire or trace generates a magnetic field which may then be measured by at least one magnetic field sensing element positioned on an integrated circuit, such as a current sensor integrated circuit or a differential magnetic field sensor integrated circuit. An output disconnect signal may be provided from the current sensor or differential magnetic field sensing integrated circuit to indicate that a current difference above a predetermined threshold exists in the two or more current traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Briano, Wade Bussing, Timothy A. Clark
  • Phase Compensation For An Inductive Position Sensor
    Publication number: 20220128382
    Abstract: An interface circuit for a position sensor system including an oscillator generating an oscillation signal having a carrier frequency and a primary phase, a primary coil responsive to the oscillation signal, and a secondary coil electromagnetically coupled to the primary coil by a target and configured to generate a secondary signal having the carrier frequency and a secondary phase provides phase compensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventor: Mathew Drouin
  • MAGNETIC FIELD SENSOR
    Publication number: 20220128379
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Rémy Lassalle-Balier, Jeffrey Eagen, Damien Dehu, Paul A. David, Andrea Foletto, Maxime Rioult
  • Method and apparatus for magnetic sensor producing a changing magnetic field
    Patent number: 11313924
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. David, William P. Taylor