Patents Assigned to Allegro Microsystems, LLC
  • MULTI-LEVEL MEMORY SAFETY OF A SENSOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT
    Publication number: 20200020412
    Abstract: A method for multi-level memory safety for a sensor integrated circuit can include loading a blocking bit into a volatile memory from a non-volatile memory and providing the blocking bit to a gating circuit from the volatile memory. Further, the method may include the gating circuit determining whether to provide a default value to a functional logic based upon the provided blocking bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Nicolas Rafael Biberidis, Octavio H. Alpago, Nicolas Rigoni
  • Current Sensor Using Modulation of or Change of Sensitivity of Magnetoresistance Elements
    Publication number: 20200018780
    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: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Cadugan, Rémy Lassalle-Balier, Alexander Latham, Paolo Campiglio, Noémie Belin
  • Circuits and techniques for performing self-test diagnostics in a magnetic field sensor
    Patent number: 10527703
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for performing a self-test of a magnetic field sensor using internal diagnostic components for fault detection. The magnetic field sensor includes a magnetic sensing element coupled to a sensor biasing current source and a switching network coupled to the magnetic sensing element. The switching network includes one or more diagnostics switches and one or more signal switches, and the one or more diagnostic switches are coupled to a diagnostic input current source. The switching network is configured to generate a time-multiplexed signal having a magnetic signal responsive to an external magnetic field in a magnetic signal time period and a diagnostic signal in a diagnostic signal time period. The diagnostic signal may be operable to produce an intermediate signal to have a predetermined sequence between a first state and a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Gerardo A. Monreal, Bruno Luis Uberti, Alejandro G. Milesi, Joseph D. Hollins
  • Arrangements for Hall effect elements and vertical epi resistors upon a substrate
    Patent number: 10520559
    Abstract: Hall effect elements are driven by current generators that use vertical epi resistors disposed away from an edge of a substrate upon which, within which, or over which, the Hall effect elements, the current generators, and the vertical epi resistors are disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cesaretti, Andreas P. Friedrich, Gerardo A. Monreal, Alejandro Gabriel Milesi
  • Current Sensor with Power Calculation
    Publication number: 20190391185
    Abstract: A current sensor integrated circuit including a magnetic field sensing element, a current conductor, an insulation structure, and a power calculation circuit is configured to meet safety isolation requirements. The current sensor integrated circuit may include or be used with isolation resistors to allow for voltage from a high voltage side to be sensed at a low voltage side of the circuit. The insulation structure, current sensor package, and isolation resistors can achieve at least 500 Vrms isolation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Georges El Bacha, Evan Shorman, Cory Voisine, Alexander Latham, William P. Taylor
  • Diagnostic Methods and Apparatus for Magnetic Field Sensors
    Publication number: 20190391212
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide an output signal indicative of a failure of a filter circuit and/or a Schmitt trigger circuit of a magnetic field sensor. A magnetic field sensor includes one or more magnetic field sensing elements that generate a magnetic field signal, a filter circuit that filters the magnetic field signal, a Schmitt trigger circuit that compares the filtered signal to a Schmitt trigger threshold during a first time period, and a diagnostic circuit coupled to the filter circuit that compares the Schmitt trigger threshold to a diagnostic threshold during a second time period that does not overlap with the first time period. An output signal indicative of a failure is output when the diagnostic threshold is greater than a predetermined percentage or absolute value above or below the Schmitt trigger threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Ezequiel Rubinsztain, Pablo Javier Bolsinger
  • Sensor Integrated Circuits and Methods for Safety Critical Applications
    Publication number: 20190392702
    Abstract: A sensor integrated circuit includes at least two processing channels responsive to the same or different analog input signals to generate respective processed signals. The two processing channels are non-homogenous and, in some embodiments have different processing accuracies. A checker circuit receives the first and second processed signals and is configured to detect a fault in the sensor integrated circuit when the first and second processed signals differ from each other by more than a predetermined amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Haas, Juan Manuel Cesaretti, William P. Taylor
  • MAGNETIC FIELD SENSORS HAVING VIRTUAL SIGNALS
    Publication number: 20190383885
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements configured to generate at least two measured magnetic field signals indicative of a magnetic field affected by an object and having a first predetermined phase difference with respect to each other and a controller responsive to the at least two measured magnetic field signals. The controller is configured to generate at least one virtual magnetic field signal having a second predetermined phase difference with respect to at least one of the measured magnetic field signals. In embodiments, the virtual magnetic field signal has the second predetermined phase difference with respect to each of the at least two measured magnetic field signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Sitorus, Eric G. Shoemaker
  • MAGNETIC FIELD SENSORS HAVING VIRTUAL SIGNALS
    Publication number: 20190383886
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements configured to generate at least two measured magnetic field signals indicative of a magnetic field affected by an object and having a first predetermined phase difference with respect to each other and a controller responsive to the at least two measured magnetic field signals. The controller is configured to generate at least one virtual magnetic field signal having a second predetermined phase difference with respect to at least one of the measured magnetic field signals. In embodiments, the virtual magnetic field signal has the second predetermined phase difference with respect to each of the at least two measured magnetic field signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Eric G. Shoemaker, Zachary Richards, Andrea Foletto
  • REDUCING ANGLE ERROR IN A MAGNETIC FIELD ANGLE SENSOR
    Publication number: 20190383646
    Abstract: In one aspect, a magnetic field angle sensor includes a bridge structure that include a sine bridge configured to generate a sinusoidal signal indicative of a magnetic field along a first axis and a cosine bridge configured to generate a cosinusoidal signal indicative of the magnetic field along a second axis that is orthogonal with respect to the first axis. One of the sine bridge or the cosine bridge includes a first set of at least two magnetoresistance elements, a second set of at least one magnetoresistance element, a third set of at least one magnetoresistance element and a fourth set of at least one magnetoresistance element. An average reference direction of the first set of at least two magnetoresistance elements is equal to an average reference direction of the third set of at least one magnetoresistance element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicants: ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS, LLC, COMMISSARIAT À L'ÉNERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ÉNERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Rémy Lassalle-Balier, Claude Fermon, Damien Dehu, Kamil Akmaldinov
  • Voltage regulator having boost and charge pump functionality
    Patent number: 10511223
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a voltage regulator having a boost module and a charge pump module. In embodiments, the charge pump module is configured to operate in multiple modes. In embodiments, an IC package includes the boost module and the charge pump with a shared component, such as a capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: James McIntosh, Robert Stoddard, Robert D. Christie
  • Current sensor using modulation of or change of sensitivity of magnetoresistance elements
    Patent number: 10509058
    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: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Cadugan, Rémy Lassalle-Balier, Alexander Latham, Paolo Campiglio, Noémie Belin
  • CIRCUIT HAVING A LOW POWER CHARGE PUMP FOR STORING INFORMATION IN NON-VOLATILE MEMORY DURING A LOSS OF POWER EVENT
    Publication number: 20190371415
    Abstract: A data storage circuit for storing data from volatile memory to non-volatile memory is powered by a low power charge pump circuit that is independent of the power for the volatile memory and that is activated upon power loss. The low power charge pump circuit includes an amplifier, a voltage-controlled oscillator, a charge pump core, and a voltage divider. The amplifier outputs a current according to a voltage difference between a reference input voltage and a feedback voltage output from the voltage divider. The current is converted to a voltage that controls the oscillator, which outputs a series of pulses to power the charge pump core. The charge pump core in turn provides the output voltage, which may be used to power an attached load. The attached load may be a programming port for an EEPROM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cesaretti, Javier Osinaga
  • CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR STORING INFORMATION IN NON-VOLATILE MEMORY DURING A LOSS OF POWER EVENT
    Publication number: 20190370125
    Abstract: A data storage circuit for storing data from volatile memory in response to a power loss, the data storage circuit including an input for receiving a power loss signal in response to a power loss from at least one power source, an input configured to receive data from a volatile memory, a single block of non-volatile matrix of memory cells and a driver circuit coupled to said single row of non-volatile matrix of memory cells. The driver circuit is configured to write data to and read data from said single block of non-volatile matrix of memory cells. The single block of non-volatile matrix of memory cells can be provided as a single row electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cesaretti, Alejandro Gabriel Milesi
  • Magnetic field sensors and output signal formats for a magnetic field sensor
    Patent number: 10495485
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method provide an output signal indicative of a speed of rotation and/or a direction of movement of a ferromagnetic object having ferromagnetic features and capable of moving. A variety of signal formats of the output signal are described, each of which have pulses at a rate faster than the ferromagnetic features pass by the magnetic field sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Burdette, Paul A. David, Christine M. Graham, Seth Prentice
  • Circular vertical hall (CVH) sensing element with DC offset removal
    Patent number: 10495701
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a semiconductor substrate, a circular vertical Hall (CVH) sensing element comprising a plurality of Hall elements arranged over an implant region in a semiconductor substrate, adjacent ones of the plurality of vertical Hall element at predetermined angles from each other. A CVH output stage may comprise one or more of drive circuits to drive the plurality of vertical Hall elements and produce an analog signal, and a filter coupled to the CVH output stage to receive the analog signal. The filter may be configured to remove a DC component from the analog signal to produce a filtered signal. An analog-to-digital converter may be coupled to receive the filtered signal and produce a digital signal. A processor stage may be coupled to receive the filtered signal and operable to compute an estimated angle of the external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventor: Hernán D. Romero
  • Method and system for providing information about a target object in a formatted output signal
    Patent number: 10495700
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for providing information about a target based on pulse widths. The information can be provided in a formatted output signal which uses a pulse width protocol to code information by varying amplitudes and widths of successive pulses in an output signal pulse train portion. The method includes detecting a first feature of the target and in response to detecting the first feature, generating an output signal pulse train portion comprising two or more pulses with at least two of the pulses having different amplitudes and each of the two or more pulses having a width corresponding to a logic value. The widths of the two or more pulses in the output signal pulse train portion can be measured in response to the detected first feature reaching a first amplitude threshold, whereby the widths can correspond to different logic values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Seth Prentice, Andrea Foletto, Marcus Hagn
  • Methods and apparatus for magnetic sensor having an integrated coil or magnet to detect a non-ferromagnetic target
    Patent number: 10495699
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a magnetic field include a magnetic source configured to provide a magnetic field to induce an eddy current in a non-ferromagnetic target, and a magnetic field sensing element configured to detect the magnetic field as a result of the eddy current. The magnetic field provided by the magnetic source can be a static (i.e. DC) field or a changing (i.e. non-DC) field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Burdette, William P. Taylor
  • Signal isolator having magnetic signal latching
    Patent number: 10498384
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting signals that are magnetically latched at a receiver. In embodiments, a signal isolator comprises a transmitter and a receiver on separate die. Signal disruptions may be minimized. In embodiments, the transmitter and/or receiver can be monitored for proper operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Briano
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPARING SIGNAL CHANNELS HAVING DIFFERENT COMMON MODE TRANSIENT IMMUNITY
    Publication number: 20190362619
    Abstract: A sensor integrated circuit includes a main processing channel that responds to an input signal by generating a first processed signal from the input signal. Also included is a diagnostic processing channel that responds to the input signal by generating a second processed signal from the input signal. The main processing channel has a first response to disturbances and the diagnostic processing channel has a second response to disturbances that is slower than the first response of the main processing channel. A checker circuit in the sensor integrated circuit detects faults in the sensor IC and generates a fault signal when the first processed signal and the second processed signal differ from each other by more than a threshold amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Craig S. Petrie, Akshay Pai, David J. Haas