Abstract: A sensor comprising: a first magnetoresistive (MR) bridge having a first stray field sensitivity; a second MR bridge having a second stray field sensitivity; and a driver circuitry configured to: (i) supply a first voltage to the first MR bridge, and (ii) supply a second voltage to the second MR bridge that is different from the first voltage, wherein supplying the first voltage and the second voltage to the first MR bridge and the second MR bridge, respectively, causes the first stray field sensitivity to match the second stray field sensitivity.

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.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing DC motor gate driver isolation. In embodiments, first and second DC input signals are received at a supply control module, which generates first and second control signals for controlling first and second switches. A first transformer has a primary winding having one end coupled to the first DC input signal and another end coupled to the first switch A second transformer has a primary winding having one end coupled to the second DC input signal and another end coupled to the second switch. The supply control module controls the first and second control signals so that a secondary winding of the first or second transformer energizes an isolated AC bus coupled to the first and second transformers. First and second gate drivers receive respective isolated AC signals from the isolated AC bus. Conversion of the isolated AC signals back to DC occurs at the point of use.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a magnetic field sensor for measuring movement of a target including a substrate and a magnet. A first bridge structure has first and second pluralities of magnetic field sensing elements spaced from each other. An axis of sensitivity of the magnetic field sensing elements is rotated at a predetermined angle with respect to an axis of rotation of the target to generate an output signal corresponding to the position of the target and a change in a property of the magnetic field generated by the magnet.

Abstract: In one aspect, a clock monitor includes a frequency-to-voltage converter (FVC) configured to receive a clock signal and configured to generate a voltage signal in response to the clock signal received. The FVC includes a resistor and a switched capacitor (SC) circuit connected to the resistor to form a resister divider circuit. The switched capacitor circuit includes a capacitor. The clock monitor detects that a clock frequency is zero and/or the clock frequency is not within a frequency range.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for compensating for bad pixels in a sensor array. In embodiments, a detector system receives an image on a sensor array of pixels for a first frame via a lens when the lens and the sensor array are configured in a first positional relationship. The array includes at least one bad pixel. The system moves the lens and/or the sensor array based on a position of the at least one bad pixel in the image such that the lens and the sensor array are configured in a second positional relationship. The image on the sensor array for a second frame is received via the lens when the lens and the sensor array are configured in a second positional relationship. The system compensates for the location of the at least one bad pixel in the image for the first and second frames to output a processed image.

Abstract: In one aspect, a magnetic field sensor includes a plurality of tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) elements that includes a first TMR element, a second TMR element, a third TMR element and a fourth TMR element. The first and second TMR elements are connected to a voltage source and the third and fourth TMR elements are connected to ground. Each TMR element has a pillar count of more than one pillar and the pillar count is selected to reduce the angle error below 1.0°.

Abstract: A monitor circuit for monitoring a level of a first and second regulated source may monitor a voltage level of regulated voltages or a current level of regulated currents. In an embodiment, the monitor circuit includes circuitry responsive to a first regulated current and to a second regulated current. A first circuit responsive to the first regulated current and to the second regulated current generates a first error signal indicative of at least one of an overcurrent condition of the first regulated current and an undercurrent condition of the second regulated current. A second circuit responsive to the first regulated current and to the second regulated current generates a second error signal indicative of at least one of an undercurrent condition of the first regulated current and an overcurrent condition of the second regulated current. A method for monitoring the levels of first and second regulated sources is also provided.

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: A magnetic field sensor has first and second rows of magnetic field sensing elements coupled to an electronic circuit. A magnet can be disposed under or over the magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor is operable to use the first and second rows of magnetic field sensing elements and the electronic circuit to detect a relative rotation angle between the magnet and the first and second rows of magnetic field sensing elements.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing DC motor gate driver isolation. In embodiments, first and second DC input signals are received at a supply control module, which generates first and second control signals for controlling first and second switches. A first transformer has a primary winding having one end coupled to the first DC input signal and another end coupled to the first switch A second transformer has a primary winding having one end coupled to the second DC input signal and another end coupled to the second switch. The supply control module controls the first and second control signals so that a secondary winding of the first or second transformer energizes an isolated AC bus coupled to the first and second transformers. First and second gate drivers receive respective isolated AC signals from the isolated AC bus. Conversion of the isolated AC signals back to DC occurs at the point of use.

Abstract: A current sensor system includes a plurality of conductors, each having a first major surface, a second major surface opposite the first major surface, and an aperture extending from the first major surface through a thickness of the conductor to the second major surface. Each of the plurality of conductors is configured to carry a current and wherein the apertures of each of the plurality of conductors are aligned with a common reference line. The current sensor system further includes a plurality of current sensors, each positioned at least partially in the aperture of a respective conductor and including one or more magnetic field sensing elements.

Abstract: An isolation circuit that isolates a driver circuit that is biased at a first common mode voltage from a detection circuit that is biased at a second common mode voltage using isolation capacitors. The detection circuit includes a transimpedance amplifier having improved susceptibility to transient common-mode input signals and improved insensitivity to parasitic capacitance on the isolation capacitor terminals. Included within the transimpedance amplifier are circuits for mirroring current to convert the input current from the isolation capacitors into a voltage value and to amplify that voltage value. The transimpedance amplifier outputs a differential voltage value that is held by a latch circuit so that a comparator in the detection circuit can process the differential voltage value and output a differential signal with fully restored logic levels.

Abstract: In one aspect, a magnetic field sensor includes a magnetic field sensing element configured to detect changes in a magnetic field caused by a target and an encoder configured to process signals originating from the magnetic field element. The encoder is configured to generate a first output signal and a second output signal. In a non-fault state, the first and second output signals are 90 electrical degrees out of phase from one another, and in a fault state, the first and second output signals are in phase with each other.

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.

Abstract: A tracking ADC with adaptive slew rate boosting can dynamically adjust one or more of its operational parameters in response to detecting a slew rate limit condition. In some embodiments, slew rate boosting can include increasing the value of a digital error signal in response to detection of a slew rate limit condition. In other embodiments, slew rate boosting can include increasing a clock frequency of the tracking ADC in response to detection of a slew rate limit condition.

Abstract: A system includes a ring magnet having magnetic segments and configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, wherein adjacent segments have different magnetic polarities, The system can further include a substrate positioned so that a top surface of the substrate is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation and a center plane passing through the ring magnet and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the ring magnet intersects the top surface at an intersection line. The system can further include four magnetic field sensing elements supported by the substrate and electrically coupled to form a first bridge circuit, wherein two of the four magnetic field sensing elements are positioned on one side of the intersection line and the other two of the four magnetic field sensing elements are positioned on the other side of the intersection line.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a photodetector device can include a substrate layer; a bottom contacting layer disposed over a surface of the substrate layer and having a first contacting region and a second contacting region, the bottom contacting layer providing a low resistance path between the first and second contacting regions; an insulating layer disposed over a surface of the bottom contacting layer; an intrinsic region disposed within the insulating layer, the intrinsic region in electrical contact with the first contacting region of the bottom contacting layer, the intrinsic region comprising a low band-gap material; a metal contact disposed within the insulating layer and in electrical contact with the second contacting region of the bottom contacting layer; an anode in electrical contact with the intrinsic region; and a cathode in electrical contact with the metal contact.

Abstract: In one aspect, a dual tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) element structure includes a first TMR element and a second TMR element. The TMR element structure also includes a conducting layer that is disposed between the first TMR element and the second TMR element and is in direct contact with the first TMR element and the second TMR element.

Abstract: A current sensor integrated circuit (IC) includes a unitary lead frame having at least one first lead having a terminal end, at least one second lead having a terminal end, and a paddle having a first surface and a second opposing surface. A semiconductor die is supported by the first surface of the paddle, wherein the at least one first lead is electrically coupled to the semiconductor die and the at least one second lead is electrically isolated from the semiconductor die. The current sensor IC further includes a first mold material configured to enclose the semiconductor die and the paddle and a second mold material configured to enclose at least a portion of the first mold material, wherein the terminal end of the at least one first lead and the terminal end of the at least one second lead are external to the second mold material.