Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a three-phase motor and providing sinusoidal phase currents during startup. In embodiments, differential outputs from a magnetic field sensing element are used to generate a polarity signal used to provide a motor direction drive signal. An amplitude signal derived from the magnetic field sensing element and a measured motor current are used to generate a current amplitude signal. A PWM module generates signals for driving the motor with sinusoidal phase currents from the current amplitude signal and the motor direction drive signal.

Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a first magnetic field sensor configured to sense a ring magnet, a second magnetic field sensor configured to sense the ring magnet and processing circuitry configured to receive a first signal from the first magnetic field sensor and to receive a second signal from the second magnetic field sensor. The processing circuitry is further configured to control an on/off state of at least one light emitting diode (LED) and brightness of the LED based on movement and position of the ring magnet with respect to the first and second magnetic field sensors.

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.

Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a first magnetic field sensor configured to sense a ring magnet, a second magnetic field sensor configured to sense the ring magnet and processing circuitry configured to receive a first signal from the first magnetic field sensor and to receive a second signal from the second magnetic field sensor. The processing circuitry is further configured to control an on/off state of at least one light emitting diode (LED) and brightness of the LED based on movement and position of the ring magnet with respect to the first and second magnetic field sensors.

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: 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: The concepts, systems, circuits and techniques described herein are directed toward sensing a voltage transient within a magnetic field sensor integrated circuit, such as a current sensor. A magnetic field sensor integrated circuit includes a substrate having a first surface and a second opposing surface, at least one magnetic field sensing element supported by a first surface of the substrate, an electromagnetic shield layer disposed on a shielded region of the first surface of the substrate adjacent to an unshielded region of the first surface of the substrate and an electrode disposed in the unshielded region of the first surface of the substrate and configured to permit detection of the voltage transient. In some embodiments, the shielded region and/or the electrode can be omitted.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for positioning a magnetic field sensor IC package having a first channel for a planar magnetic field sensing element and a second channel for vertical magnetic field sensing element in relation to an axis of a ring magnet to provide a desired phase relationship between the first and second channels. In embodiments, positioning the sensor includes an offset angle and a displacement with respect to a centerline of the ring magnet.

Abstract: Described embodiments provide circuits, systems and methods for detecting and communicating fault conditions. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a fault detector to detect a fault condition of the integrated circuit and a controller to generate output data of the integrated circuit. An output generator generates an output signal of the integrated circuit. The output signal is generated at a first set of output levels based upon the output data when the fault detector does not detect the fault condition, and the output signal is generated at a second set of output levels based upon the output data when the fault detector detects the fault condition.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for detecting motion of an object includes threshold generation circuitry and processing. Magnetic field sensing elements are configured to generate a magnetic field signal in response to a magnetic field associated with the object. A motion detector responsive to the magnetic field signal and to a threshold signal is configured to generate a detector output signal having edges occurring in response to a comparison of the magnetic field signal and the threshold signal. A speed detector responsive to the detector output signal generates a speed signal indicative of a speed of motion of the object. A threshold generator responsive to the speed signal generates the threshold signal having a level that varies in response to the speed signal.

Abstract: Described embodiments provide an electronic circuit for controlling a motor. The electronic circuit includes a magnetic field sensing circuit responsive to magnetic field sensing elements disposed to sense rotation of the motor. The magnetic field sensing elements generate magnetic field signals, each having a state indicative of at least one of the rotational position and a rotation speed of the motor. A position and speed sensing circuit generates a signal representative of the rotational position of the motor and tracks state changes of the magnetic field signals. A gate driver circuit generates motor drive signals that drive the motor based upon the sensed rotational position. The position and speed sensing circuit generates a qualified control signal based upon a determined valid state change of the magnetic field signals. The gate driver circuit generates the motor drive signals based, at least in part, upon the qualified control signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for creating a high isolation integrated current sensor whereby a portion of a current to be sensed by a magnetic field sensing circuit is split within the current sensor. The current sensor includes a primary conductor configured to carry a first portion of a primary current and a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second opposing surface. The first surface supports a magnetic field sensing circuit. The current sensor includes a first insulation layer disposed over the first surface, a conductive layer disposed over the first insulation layer and at least two interconnects coupled between the primary conductor and the conductive layer. A second portion of the primary current can flow through the conductive layer and the magnetic field sensing circuit is configured to sense the second portion of primary current.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a package, a plurality of external leads extending outside the package, a first die within the package having one or more first contacts electrically coupled to at least a first one of the external leads, and a second die within the package having one or more second contacts electrically coupled to at least a second one of the external leads. A capacitive coupling may be positioned between the first and second die to allow electrostatic discharge (ESD) current to flow between the first die and the second die in response to an ESD event and to electrically isolate the first and second die from each other in the absence of the ESD event.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus embodiments to communicate data via a digital isolator by receiving an input data stream having first and second states, generating a first pulse train for the first state and a second pulse train for the second state. The first and second pulse types are transmitted across a voltage barrier of a digital signal isolator and received by a receive channel. The first and second pulse trains are processed to recover the input data stream in an output data stream. Data/System integrity functionality can identify fault conditions from an alteration of transmitted pulses.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a back bias magnet to generate a DC magnetic field. First and second magnetic field sensing elements of the magnetic field sensor are disposed proximate to at least one ferromagnetic surface of a ferromagnetic target object. The first and second magnetic field sensing elements generate first and second electronic signals, respectively, in response to first and second sensed magnetic fields corresponding to the DC magnetic field but influenced by the at least one ferromagnetic surface. The magnetic field sensor generates a difference signal that is a difference of amplitudes of the first and second electronic signals. The difference signal is indicative of a rotation measurement of an absolute relative rotation of the ferromagnetic target object and the magnetic field sensor about a rotation axis.

Abstract: A method for signaling between a controller and a driver includes receiving, at a pin of the driver coupled to the controller, a command signal generated by the controller and generating, by the driver at the pin coupled to the controller, a fault signal indicating a fault condition. The driver can be configured to drive a switch and the command signal can be configured to cause the driver to open the switch when the command signal is in a first state and to close the switch when the command signal is in a second state. The command signal being in the first state may correspond to the command signal having a voltage level above a first predetermined threshold and the command signal being in the second state may correspond to the command signal having a voltage level below a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for magnetic field sensors with self-test include a detection circuit to detect speed and direction of a target. One or more circuits to test accuracy of the detected speed and direction may be included. One or more circuits to test accuracy of an oscillator may also be included. One or more circuits to test the accuracy of an analog-to-digital converter may also be included. Additionally, one or more IDDQ and/or built-in-self test (BIST) circuits may be included.

Abstract: Described embodiments provide a transmitter for transmitting data over a serial bus coupled to the transmitter. The transmitter includes a controller to generate data for transmission by the transmitter. A transmit driver is coupled to the controller. The transmit driver, in response to the generated data for transmission, generates logic transitions on the serial bus. The transmit driver generates low-to-high logic transitions on the serial bus by charging the serial bus by a bus current based on (i) a predetermined initial bias level for a first time period, and (ii) a first predetermined maximum bias level for a second time period. The transmit driver generates high-to-low logic transitions on the serial bus by discharging the serial bus by a bus current based on (i) a pre-charged level of the transmit driver, and (ii) a second predetermined maximum bias level for a third time period.

Abstract: In one aspect, a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) includes a Zener diode embedded in the SCR. In another aspect, a laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) includes a Zener diode embedded in the LDMOS. In a further aspect, a lateral insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) includes a Zener diode embedded in the IGBT.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a conduction path circuit coupled between the first and second terminals. The conduction path circuit includes an input terminal to receive an enable signal which, when activated, allows the conduction path circuit to conduct electrical current between the first and second terminal. A control circuit coupled to the input terminal of the conduction path circuit is configured to selectively activate the enable signal.