Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for sensing a direction of a magnetic field in an x-y plane, can include a first plurality of magnetic field sensing elements operable to generate a first plurality of magnetic field signals and a second plurality of magnetic field sensing elements operable to generate a second plurality of magnetic field signals. The magnetic field sensor can also include at least one sequence switches circuit operable to select ones of the first plurality of magnetic field signals and to select ones of the second plurality of magnetic field signals. The magnetic field sensor can also include a processing circuit operable to combine the selected ones of the first plurality of magnetic field signals and the selected ones of the second plurality of magnetic field signals to generate at least one sequential signal and to process the at least one sequential signal to generate an x-y angle signal indicative of a direction of the magnetic field in the x-y direction. An associated method is described.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for sensing a direction of a magnetic field in an x-y plane, can include a first plurality of magnetic field sensing elements operable to generate a first plurality of magnetic field signals and a second plurality of magnetic field sensing elements operable to generate a second plurality of magnetic field signals. The magnetic field sensor can also include at least one sequence switches circuit operable to select ones of the first plurality of magnetic field signals and to select ones of the second plurality of magnetic field signals. The magnetic field sensor can also include a processing circuit operable to combine the selected ones of the first plurality of magnetic field signals and the selected ones of the second plurality of magnetic field signals to generate at least one sequential signal and to process the at least one sequential signal to generate an x-y angle signal indicative of a direction of the magnetic field in the x-y direction. An associated method is described.

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.

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.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a sensor system having a first magnetic field sensing element with first and second segments where the first and second segments are located at positions to generate magnetic field bias in opposite directions for reducing sensitivity due to misalignment of the first and second segments. A processing module is configured to receive an output of the magnetic field sensing element.

Abstract: A magnetic field angle sensor is provided having two or more bridge structures of magnetoresistance elements, with each bridge structure configured to measure a projection of a magnetic field along a different axis such that an angle of direction of the magnetic field can be measured with greater accuracy. The angle sensor includes a first bridge structure configured to generate a first sinusoidal signal indicative of the magnetic field along a first axis and a first cosinusoidal signal indicative of the magnetic field along a second axis that is orthogonal with respect to the first axis and a second bridge structure configured to generate a second sinusoidal signal indicative of the magnetic field along a third axis and a second cosinusoidal signal indicative of the magnetic field along a fourth axis that is orthogonal with respect to the third axis, wherein an angle between the first axis and the third axis is a factor of 90°.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a sensor having a first magnetic field sensing element with first and second segments where the first and second segments are located at positions of opposite magnetic field. The first and second segments are spaced from each other based upon iso-lines of the magnetic field. A processing module can process an output of the magnetic field sensing element.

Abstract: A switching voltage regulator with variable minimum off-time. The value of the minimum off-time may depend on the voltage across a bootstrap capacitor. The value of the minimum off-time defines a minimum time for a switch to be open and to allow the bootstrap capacitor to charge.

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.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor can include a substrate, a first magnetoresistance element disposed over the substrate and including a first maximum response axis and a first bias layer structure configured to generate a first bias magnetic field with a first magnetic direction between ninety degrees and sixty degrees relative to the first maximum response axis. The magnetic field sensor can also include a second magnetoresistance element disposed over the substrate and including a second maximum response axis parallel to the first maximum response axis and a second bias layer structure configured to generate a second bias magnetic field with a second magnetic direction parallel to the first magnetic direction and opposed to the first magnetic direction. The first and second magnetoresistance elements can each have a pair of electrical contacts for coupling to circuits.

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: A current sensor integrated circuit includes a lead frame having a primary conductor and at least one secondary lead, a semiconductor die disposed adjacent to the primary conductor, an insulation structure disposed between the primary conductor and the semiconductor die, and a non-conductive insulative material enclosing the semiconductor die, the insulation structure, a first portion of the primary conductor, and a first portion of the at least one secondary lead to form a package. The first portion of the at least one secondary lead (between a first end proximal to the primary conductor and a second end proximal to the second, exposed portion of the at least one secondary lead) has a thickness that is less than a thickness of the second, exposed portion of the least one secondary lead. A distance between the second, exposed portion of the primary conductor and the second, exposed portion of the at least one secondary lead is at least 7.2 mm.

Abstract: Described embodiments provide circuits, systems and methods for generating a sensing signal in response to the ambient condition, comparing the sensing signal to a threshold hysteresis range to generate a digital signal, and upon powering on the sensor, determining whether the sensing signal is within the threshold hysteresis range and, if the sensing signal is within the threshold hysteresis range, setting the digital signal to a predetermined level based on a hysteresis restoration state associated with sensor before the sensor is powered off.

Abstract: A system includes a motor circuit and a calibration test circuit configured to be coupled to the motor circuit to calculate a nominal motor constant representing operation of a motor in a nominal mode, calculate a motor impedance function comprising one or more motor impedance values at one or more motor frequencies, store one or more values of the impedance function in a memory of the motor circuit, and calculate a range of acceptable motor constant values based on the nominal motor constant. The motor circuit may be configured to calculate an operating motor constant value for the motor while operating, wherein the operating motor constant value is based on at least one of the stored values of the impedance function and compare the motor constant value to the range of acceptable motor constant values stored in the memory to detect if a motor stall has occurred.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance element has a pinning arrangement with two antiferromagnetic pinning layers, two pinned layers, and a free layer. A spacer layer between one of the two antiferromagnetic pinning layers and the free layer has a material selected to allow a controllable partial pinning by the one of the two antiferromagnetic pinning layers.

Abstract: Methods for providing a sensor integrated circuit package including employing a conductive leadframe and forming a non-conductive die paddle in relation to the leadframe. The method can further include placing a die on the non-conductive die paddle to form an assembly, forming at least one electrical connection between the die and the leadframe, and overmolding the assembly to form an integrated circuit package.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a plurality of magnetoresistance elements, each having at least one characteristic selected to provide a respective, different response to an applied magnetic field, wherein each of the plurality of magnetoresistance elements is coupled in parallel. Illustrative characteristics selected to provide the respective responses include dimensions and/or construction parameters such as materials, layer thickness and order, and spatial relationship of the magnetoresistance element to the applied magnetic field. A method includes providing each of a plurality of magnetoresistance elements with at least one characteristic selected to provide a respective, different response to an applied magnetic field, wherein each of the plurality of magnetoresistance elements is coupled in parallel.

Abstract: An assembly has a base structure, a rotatable structure, a first magnet coupled to the base structure, a second magnet coupled to the rotatable structure, and a magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor can identify at least one condition (i.e., position) of the assembly.

Abstract: An integrated circuit with transmission line error detection comprises a substrate, a package enclosing the substrate, a lead extending from the inside of the package to the outside of the package, and a circuit supported by the substrate. The circuit includes an input circuit and an output circuit. A first wire is coupled between the output circuit and the lead and a second wire is coupled between the lead and the input circuit so that the input circuit receives a signal generated by the output circuit after the signal has been transmitted across the first and second wires.

Abstract: A serial communication system includes transmission line and at least one slave device. The at least one slave device comprises an active pull-down element coupled to the transmission line to pull a voltage on the transmission line low during transmission, an active pull-up element coupled to the transmission line to pull the voltage on the transmission line high during or after transmission, and a communication circuit configured to transmit data onto the transmission line according to a SENT protocol by activating the pull-down element and the pull-up element.