Abstract: Described embodiments provide a magnetic field sensor that includes first and second spaced magnetic field sensing elements that each generate a signal indicative of a magnetic field associated with a target. A switching module couples a first terminal of the first magnetic field sensing element having a first polarity to a first terminal of the second magnetic field sensing element having a polarity opposite the first polarity to generate a first combined signal. The switching module couples a second terminal of the first magnetic field sensing element having a polarity opposite the first polarity to a second terminal of the second magnetic field sensing element having the first polarity to generate a second combined signal. The switching module simultaneously couples the first and the second combined signals to an amplifier, which generates an output signal indicative of the magnetic field that has stray magnetic field effects cancelled.

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.

Abstract: A method can use a current sensor that can include a magnetic flux concentrator along with first and second magnetic field sensing elements disposed proximate to the magnetic flux concentrator, wherein the magnetic flux concentrator is operable to influence a direction of first and second magnetic fields at the first and second magnetic field sensing elements, respectively, the first and second magnetic fields resulting from an electrical current passing through a conductor, the first and second magnetic field sensing elements operable to generate first and second signals, respectively, in response to the first and second magnetic fields, respectively, wherein the current sensor can also include a differencing circuit operable to subtract the first and second signals to generate a difference signal related to the electrical current.

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.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing target position by generating a signal by energizing a shaped coil with an AC signal. A sensor receives a signal reflected by a target in response to the signal from the shaped coil, wherein the shaped coil has a first width, and wherein the sensor includes a first sensing element aligned with the shaped coil at the first width, wherein a ratio of the first width and a distance from the sensor to the target is about three-to-one. The received signal can be processed to determine position information of the target. In some embodiments, a shaped coil can have a trapezoidal shape and sensors aligned with the coil to select a sensor based upon target to sensor distance.

Abstract: A magnetic switch sensor is provided having a magnetic field sensing element configured to generate a magnetic field signal in response to a magnetic field indicative of a distance or angle between the magnetic field sensing element and a target, a first circuit coupled to receive the magnetic field signal and having an output to provide a comparison signal, and a debounce circuit coupled to receive the comparison signal and having an output to provide a debounced signal. The sensor can include a second circuit having an input coupled to receive the debounced signal and an output at which is provided a toggle signal that transitions between first and second levels every other time the magnetic field signal crosses a threshold level.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor comprises a first coil configured to generate a magnetic field having a first frequency and induce a reflected magnetic field from a target. A second coil configured to generate a diagnostic magnetic field having a second frequency is included. The diagnostic magnetic field is configured not to induce a reflected magnetic field from the target that is measurable by the magnetic field sensor. At least two magnetic field sensing elements detect the reflected magnetic field and the diagnostic magnetic field and generate a signal representing the reflected magnetic field and the diagnostic magnetic field. A processing circuit is coupled to the at least two magnetic field sensing elements and configured to receive the signal, extract a diagnostic magnetic field portion of the signal representing the diagnostic magnetic field, and generate an error signal if a fault is detected.

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: A method for use in a memory device including a first memory matrix is provided, the method comprising: receiving a write request that is associated with a first memory cell, the first memory cell being part of the first memory matrix; copying a content of a second memory cell into a register, the second memory cell being part of the first memory matrix; overwriting the second memory cell with the content of the register when the content of the second memory cell is different from the content of the register; and writing, to the first memory cell, at least a portion of data that is associated with the write request.

Abstract: In one aspect, a bridge includes a first magnetoresistance element having a first reference angle; a second magnetoresistance element in series with the first magnetoresistance element and having a second reference angle; a third magnetoresistance element in parallel with the first magnetoresistance element and having the first reference angle; and a fourth magnetoresistance element in series with the third magnetoresistance element and having the second reference angle. An output of the bridge has a linear response over a range of horizontal magnetic field values having non-zero values and the range of horizontal magnetic field intensity values are associated with vertical magnetic field intensity values having zero Oersted (Oe) values. A reference angle indicates an angle the magnetoresistance element is most sensitive to changes in a magnetic field.

Abstract: In one aspect, a bridge includes a first magnetoresistance element having a first reference angle, a second magnetoresistance element in series with the first magnetoresistance element and having a second reference angle, a third magnetoresistance element in parallel with the first magnetoresistance element and having the first reference angle and a fourth magnetoresistance element in series with the third magnetoresistance element and having the second reference angle. An output of the bridge has a linear response over a range of horizontal magnetic field values not centered about a zero value and a reference angle indicates an angle the magnetoresistance element is most sensitive to changes in a magnetic field.

Abstract: In one aspect, an angle sensor includes a first Hall element disposed on a first axis, a second Hall element disposed on a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and a conduction path having a first portion extending parallel to the first axis and a second portion parallel to the second axis. The conduction path is configured to conduct a calibration current that generates a first magnetic flux density measured at the first Hall element and a second magnetic flux density measured at the second Hall element. The angle sensor also includes calibration circuitry configured to generate one or more compensation signals based on the first and second magnetic flux densities and to adjust an external magnetic flux density measured at the second Hall element due to an external magnetic field using the one or more compensation signals to reduce angle error of the angle sensor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for use in an electronic device having a non-volatile storage device and a volatile storage device, the method comprising: retrieving a first encoded data packet from a first address in the non-volatile storage device; decoding the first encoded data packet to obtain a first data item and a first error code corresponding to the first data item, the first encoded data packet being decoded by using a first coding key that is associated with the first address; detecting whether the first data item is corrupt based on the first error code and an error correction function, storing the first data item at a first address in the volatile storage device when the first data item is not corrupt, and transitioning the electronic device into a safe state when the first data item is corrupt.

Abstract: In one aspect, a bridge includes a first magnetoresistance element that includes a first set of pillars, a second magnetoresistance element that includes a second set of pillars, a third magnetoresistance element that includes a third set of pillars and a fourth magnetoresistance element that includes a fourth set of pillars. The first set of pillars and the fourth set of pillars are disposed in a first matrix and the second set of pillars and the third set of pillars are disposed in a second matrix. The second magnetoresistance element is in series with the first magnetoresistance element, the third magnetoresistance element is in parallel with the first magnetoresistance element and the fourth magnetoresistance element is in series with the third magnetoresistance element.

Abstract: In one aspect, a tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) element includes a magnesium oxide (MgO) layer, a cobalt iron boron (CoFeB) layer in direct contact with the MgO layer and a cobalt iron (CoFe) layer. The TMR element also includes a tantalum layer in direct contact with the CoFeB layer and the CoFe layer.

Abstract: A method of detecting a vibration comprises determining a vibration flag has been set during a running mode of the magnetic field sensor, remaining in the running mode until a predetermined number of vibration flags have been set, and entering a recalibration mode when the predetermined number of vibration flags have been set. A counter can be implemented for each of the plurality of vibration flags to determine if the predetermined number of vibration flags have been set.

Abstract: A system is provided, comprising: a plurality of flip-flops that are configured to receive a reset signal, each of the plurality of flip-flops having a respective output port, and each of the plurality of flip-flops being configured to assume a respective default state when the reset signal is set to a predetermined value; and a reset monitor circuit that is coupled to the respective output port of each of the plurality of flip-flops, the reset monitor circuit being configured to generate a status signal indicating whether each of the flip-flops has assumed the flip-flop's respective default state after the reset signal is set to the predetermined value, wherein assuming a respective default state by each of the plurality of flip-flops results in a predetermined bit string being stored in the plurality of flip-flops.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes at least one magnetic field sensing element configured to generate a magnetic field signal indicative of a magnetic field associated with a target, an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the magnetic field signal into a digital magnetic field signal, and a controller responsive to the digital magnetic field signal and configured to adjust an offset of the digital magnetic field signal during a first operational phase and to increase a gain of the digital magnetic field signal during a second operational phase following the first operational phase. The first and second operational phases occur during a running mode of sensor operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a current sensor having an elongate current conductor having an input and an output and a longitudinal axis. First, second, third and fourth magnetic field sensing elements are coupled in a bridge configuration and positioned in a plane parallel to a surface of the current conductor such that the second and fourth magnetic field sensing elements comprise inner elements and the first and third magnetic field sensing elements comprise outer elements. Embodiments of the sensor reduce the effects of stray fields on the sensor.

Abstract: A signal isolator integrated circuit package includes a first circuit having a first input and a first output, a second circuit having a second input and a second output, an isolation barrier layer between the first circuit and the second circuit, wherein the second output of the second circuit is coupled to the first input of the first circuit through the isolation barrier. The signal isolator includes a comparator configured to compare the first input of the first circuit to the second output of the second circuit. The second output can be configured to convey at least three states, including a first state indicative of a logical high of an input signal received at the first input, a second state indicative of a logical low of the input signal, and a third state indicative of a fault condition.