Patents Assigned to Allegro Microsystems, LLC
  • Integrated circuit having insulation monitoring with frequency discrimination
    Patent number: 11112465
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring the integrity of an insulative material. A monitoring module detects a leakage current corresponding to an injection signal into the insulative material by a signal source. An output can provide an insulation fault signal when the leakage current is greater than a given threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Briano
  • Isolated data transfer system
    Patent number: 11115084
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing data transfer with a drive coil to transmit information, a receive coil magnetically coupled to the drive coil, and a first magnetoresistive sensor proximate the receive coil to detect information from the receive coil. In embodiments, the drive and receive coils are separated by an isolation material. In embodiments, a signal isolator IC packages includes transmit and receive coils and a magnetic field sensing element coupled to the receive coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Latham, Claude Fermon, Myriam Pannetier-Lecoeur
  • Angle sensor using eddy currents
    Patent number: 11112230
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a sensor with a main coil to direct a magnetic field at a rotating target for inducing eddy currents in an end of the target and a sensing element to detect a magnetic field reflected from the target, wherein the target end comprises a conductive surface. The reflected magnetic field can be processed to determine an angular position of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Latham, Maxim Klebanov
  • TARGET ALIGNMENT AND STRAY FIELD INDICATOR
    Publication number: 20210263114
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor is provided, including a substrate, a first bridge circuit formed on the substrate, the first bridge circuit being arranged to generate a first signal indicative of a motion of a target, and a second bridge circuit formed on the substrate, the second bridge circuit being arranged to generate a second signal indicative of whether the magnetic field sensor is aligned with the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Eagen
  • ORIENTATION INDEPENDENT MAGNETIC FIELD SENSOR
    Publication number: 20210262831
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Andrea Foletto, Yannick Vuillermet, Florian Kulla
  • REDUCING STRAY MAGNETIC FIELD EFFECT ON AN ANGLE SENSOR
    Publication number: 20210262777
    Abstract: In one aspect, an angle sensor includes a first linear sensor and a second linear sensor. A first magnetic-field direction of a target magnet measured by the first linear sensor is substantially equal to a second magnetic-field direction of the target magnet measured by the second linear sensor. The first linear sensor, the second linear sensor and the target magnet are on an axis. The angle sensor determines an angle of a magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Rémy Lassalle-Balier, Jean-Michel Daga
  • Current sensor having a flux concentrator for redirecting a magnetic field through two magnetic field sensing elements
    Patent number: 11099217
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Yannick Vuillermet, Cédric Gillet, Loïc André Messier, Xavier Blanc
  • Systems and methods for transient pulse protection
    Patent number: 11095111
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein a sensor integrated circuit (IC) is provided having a protection circuit configured to protect circuitry within the IC from a transient pulse on a connection (i.e., power pin) to a power supply that is configured to provide power to the IC. The protection circuit can be disposed in a current path between a power pin of the IC and additional circuitry or nodes within the IC, such as but not limited to, a regulator or a bi-directional current source. The protection circuit includes a reverse blocking device having a first terminal coupled to the power supply at which a predetermined power supply voltage is provided and a second terminal coupled to an input of the regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventor: Sam Tran
  • MULTI-CHANNEL QUADRATURE SIGNALING WITH CURRENT MODE INTERFACE
    Publication number: 20210247213
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes one or more magnetic field sensing elements operable to generate a respective one or more magnetic field signals indicative of a magnetic field associated with an object, and one or more channel detector circuits coupled to receive one or more of the one or more magnetic field signals. The one or more channel detector circuits are configured to generate a respective one or more channel signals. The sensor also includes an output protocol circuit coupled to receive the one or more channel signals. The output protocol circuit is configured to generate a sensor output signal comprising distinguishable constant current levels associated with the one or more channel signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan J. Metivier, Pablo Javier Bolsinger
  • DIAGNOSTIC CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR SENSOR TEST CIRCUITS
    Publication number: 20210247478
    Abstract: A sensor includes a detector configured to sense a parameter, at least one test circuit configured to detect a respective fault condition of the sensor and generate a fault signal in response to detecting the fault condition, a checker configured to test the at least one test circuit to determine the operational status of the at least one test circuit, and an output signal generator, coupled to receive the sensed parameter, the fault signal, and the operational status of the at least one test circuit. The output signal generator is configured to generate an output signal of the sensor to communicate the sensed parameter and the operational status of the at least one test circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: P. Karl Scheller, Devon Fernandez
  • Current sensor using modulation of or change of sensitivity of magnetoresistance elements
    Patent number: 11085952
    Abstract: A current sensor can indirectly measure a sensed current by directly measuring static perturbing AC magnetic fields with magnetoresistance elements, the perturbing magnetic fields generated by perturbing coils. The sensed current can be indirectly measured by modulating or changing sensitivities of the magnetoresistance elements in a way that is directly related to the sensed current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Cadugan, Rémy Lassalle-Balier, Alexander Latham, Paolo Campiglio, Noémie Belin
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELIMINATING BIT DISTURBANCE ERRORS IN NON-VOLATILE MEMORY DEVICES
    Publication number: 20210240606
    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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: 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
  • ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE PROTECTION
    Publication number: 20210242193
    Abstract: In one aspect an electronic device includes a substrate having one of a p-type doping or an n-type doping, a first well in the substrate, a second well in the substrate, a third well in the substrate between the first and second wells, a first terminal connected to the first well, a second terminal connected to the second well, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) clamp connected to the first and second terminals and a transient voltage source connected to the third well. A doping type of the first, second and third wells is the other one of the p-type or n-type doping. The ESD clamp is configured to clamp the first and second wells at a clamp voltage during an ESD event and the transient voltage source is configured to provide a voltage during the ESD event that is less than the clamp voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Maxim Klebanov, Washington Lamar, Sagar Saxena, Chung C. Kuo, Sebastian Courtney, Sundar Chetlur
  • SAFETY MECHANISM FOR DIGITAL RESET STATE
    Publication number: 20210239758
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Sergio Nicolás Deligiannis, Lucas Intile, Florencia Ferrer
  • Gate driver isolating circuit
    Patent number: 11082038
    Abstract: In one aspect, a circuit includes a gate driver having a first input connected to a first node and a second input connected to a second node; an epi diode connected to the first node; a switch connected to the first node; a capacitor having a top plate connected to the switch and a bottom plate connected to the second node; and a first clamp connected the first node and to the second node. The switch being open isolates the first node from negative transient effects from the top plate of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Ross, James McIntosh, Gianluca Allegrini
  • Packages for coil actuated position sensors
    Patent number: 11073573
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first substrate and two coils supported by the first substrate and arranged next to each other, the coils configured to each generate a magnetic field which produces eddy currents in and a reflected magnetic field from a conductive target, the two coils arranged so their respectively generated magnetic fields substantially cancel each other in an area between the coils. One or more magnetic field sensing elements are positioned in the area between the coils and configured to detect the reflected magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Latham, Michael C. Doogue, Jason Boudreau
  • Switch turn on in a gate driver circuit
    Patent number: 11075622
    Abstract: In one aspect, a gate driver circuit includes a gate driver having a first input connected to a first node and a second input connected to a second node. The gate driver circuit also includes a current source circuit that includes a first transistor and a capacitor having a top plate connected to the source of the first transistor and a bottom plate connected to ground. The gate driver circuit further includes a switch that includes a second transistor. A gate of the second transistor is connected to a drain of the first transistor and a source of the second transistor is connected to the first node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Ross, Michael Munroe, James McIntosh
  • TMR magnetic sensor
    Patent number: 11073577
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a TMR-based sensor having a first magnetic field sensing element comprising a bridge having first, second, third, and fourth legs. Legs of the bridge comprise TMR elements with pillars connected to one or more switch matrixes to adjust total resistances of the bridge legs. Equalizing the resistance of the bridge legs can enhance sensor performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Hernán D. Romero, Octavio H. Alpago
  • SINGLE CHANNEL MAGNETORESISTANCE-BASED ANGLE SENSOR
    Publication number: 20210223023
    Abstract: In one aspect, an angle sensor includes analog circuitry configured to generate an analog value having a tangent value, an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the analog value to a digital value and digital circuitry configured to receive the digital value. The analog circuitry includes a plurality of magnetoresistance elements that include a first magnetoresistance element configured to provide a cosine value indicative of a magnetic field along a first axis and a second magnetoresistance element configured to provide a sine value indicative of the magnetic field along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. The tangent value is determined by the cosine and sine values. The digital circuitry includes an angle processor configured to use the digital value and a fixed value in an arctangent algorithm to generate an angle of a direction of the magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventor: Hernán D. Romero
  • CURRENT SENSOR INTEGRATED CIRCUITS
    Publication number: 20210223292
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Shixi Louis Liu, Paul A. David, Shaun D. Milano, Rishikesh Nikam, Alexander Latham, Wade Bussing, Natasha Healey, Georges El Bacha