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: In one aspect, a Hall Effect sensing element includes a Hall plate having a thickness less than about 100 nanometers an adhesion layer directly in contact with the Hall plate and having a thickness in a range about 0.1 nanometers to 5 nanometers. In another aspect, a sensor includes a Hall Effect sensing element. The Hall Effect sensing element includes a substrate that includes one of a semiconductor material or an insulator material, an insulation layer in direct contact with the substrate, an adhesion layer having a thickness in a range of about 0.1 nanometers to 5 nanometers and in direct contact with the insulation layer and a Hall plate in direct contact with the adhesion layer and having a thickness less than about 100 nanometers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for bi-directional communication between first and second die of a signal isolator for feedback and/or diagnostic signals. In embodiments, the first and second die can be matched.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a signal isolator having first and second dies separated by a voltage barrier region, wherein transmit and receive paths of the first and second dies provide bi-directional transfer of feedback and/or diagnostic signals between the first and second die. In embodiments, transmitter refresh signals and receiver refresh signals are exchanged to detect fault conditions.

Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a sensor. The sensor includes a processor configured to provide speed and/or direction of a target object based on the speed of the target object; monitor for a diagnostic fault; provide information if the diagnostic fault is detected; monitor for critical faults; and provide information if a critical fault is detected and the sensor recovers from the critical fault.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide an integrated circuit having a magnetic sensing element and fault detection module coupled to the sensing element, the fault detection module including circuitry to detect a fault condition and to self-test operation of the circuitry for detecting the fault condition. In illustrative embodiments, a fault pin indicates the fault condition.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes at least one first magnetic field sensing element including at least one first magnetoresistance element configured to provide an output signal of the integrated circuit in response to a detected magnetic field. The integrated circuit also includes at least one second magnetic field sensing element including at least one second magnetoresistance element configured to have a characteristic indicative of a stress condition. A method for detecting a stress condition in an integrated circuit is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a package, a plurality of external connections extending outside the package, and a first die having a first electrical contact coupled to a first connection of the plurality of external connections. The apparatus also includes a second die having a second electrical contact coupled to a second connection of the plurality of external connections. A conductor is electrically coupled between the first contact and the second contact to allow electrostatic discharge current to flow between the first die to the second die.

Abstract: A double pinned magnetoresistance element has a temporary ferromagnetic layer, two PtMn antiferromagnetic pinning layers, and two associated synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) pinned layer structures, the temporary ferromagnetic layer operable to improve annealing of the two PtMn antiferromagnetic pinning layers and the two associated SAFs to two different magnetic directions that are a relative ninety degrees apart.

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: A current sensor includes a ferromagnetic core having a substantially central opening for receiving a current conductor and a gap. A detector of the current sensor includes at least one first magnetic field sensing element disposed in a first gap portion and configured to generate a respective first magnetic field signal in response to a first magnetic field having a first angle with respect to the at least one first magnetic field sensing element. The detector also includes at least one second magnetic field sensing element disposed in a second gap portion and configured to generate a respective second magnetic field signal in response to a second magnetic field having a second angle with respect to the at least one second magnetic field sensing element. The first and second magnetic fields are substantially equal in magnitude and the first and second angles are substantially opposite in polarity.

Abstract: In one aspect, a magnetic field sensor includes first and second magnetic field sensing elements having respective first and second maximum response axes. The first and second maximum response axes point along respective first and second different coordinate axes. In response to a magnetic field, the first and second magnetic field sensing elements are operable to generate first and second magnetic field signals. The magnetic field sensor includes an electronic circuit coupled to receive the first and the second magnetic field signals. The electronic circuit is configured to determine a magnitude of a vector sum of the first and the second magnetic field signals and provide one or more signals in response to the magnitude of the vector sum determined.

Abstract: A driver coupled to a configurable load includes a first switch coupled between an intermediate node of the load and a converter supply voltage and a second switch coupled between the converter supply voltage and a reference potential. A slew rate control circuit is responsive to a command input signal and to a feedback voltage across the first and second switches and is configured to generate switch control signals with a controllable slew rate for coupling to control terminals of the first and second switches. In an embodiment, the command input signal includes a load configuration command and a converter mode command.

Abstract: A current sensor includes a ferromagnetic core having a substantially central opening for receiving a current conductor and at least two gaps portions, each of the gap portions having an associated gap spacing. A detector of the current sensor includes at least one first sensing element disposed in a first one of the gap portions and configured to generate a respective first magnetic field signal in response to a first magnetic field generated in the first gap portion in response to a current through the current conductor. The detector also includes at least one second sensing element disposed in a second one of the gap portions and configured to generate a respective second magnetic field signal in response to a second magnetic field generated in the second gap portion in response to the current through the conductor. A method of sensing a current through a current conductor is also provided.

Abstract: Described embodiments provide circuits, systems and methods for controlling operation of brushless direct current motors that include a plurality of windings. A gate driver provides control signals to switching elements that control a voltage applied to each of the windings of the motor. A zero crossing detector detects zero crossings of a voltage applied to the windings and transitions a zero crossing signal between a first logic level and a second logic level based on the detected zero crossings. A position estimator estimates an angular position of the motor, and counts in a first direction based on the first logic level of the zero crossing signal, and in a second direction based on the second logic level of the zero crossing signal. An observer determines a value of the counter after an elapsed time, and generates an angular position signal based upon the value of the counter.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards a method for patterning a magnetic sensing layer. The method includes disposing a protective layer on a first of a substrate, disposing a first insulating layer on a first surface of protective layer. An opening is formed in the first insulating layer to expose the first surface of the protective layer. A magnetic sensing layer is disposed over the first insulating layer and a predetermined portion of the first surface of the protective layer within the opening. A second insulating layer can be disposed over the magnetic sensing layer. The second insulation layer and the magnetic sensing layer can be removed from the first insulation layer. Thus, the opening includes the magnetic sensing layer and the second insulation layer after the removal of the second insulation layer and magnetic sensing layer from the first insulation layer.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for detecting motion of an object includes a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field and having a first surface adjacent to the object and a second surface distal from the object. The first surface of the magnet has a centerline axis substantially parallel to and disposed on the first surface, and the centerline axis is diagonal with respect to a motion axis substantially parallel to and disposed on the first surface and parallel to which the object moves. The magnetic field sensor also includes a semiconductor substrate disposed between the magnet and the object, the semiconductor substrate supporting a plurality of spaced magnetoresistance elements disposed along a sensing element axis substantially parallel to the centerline axis of the magnet and configured to generate a respective plurality of magnetic field signals in response to the motion of the object with respect to magnetic field.

Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes an output port enabling measurement of a performance characteristic of the IC at a first temperature. The performance characteristic of the IC is a minimum value at the first temperature with respect to any other temperature. The first temperature may be room temperature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a signal comprise at least one circuit configured to generate a measured signal during a measured time period and a reference signal during a reference time period. Also included is at least one dual- or multi-path analog-to-digital converter comprising at least a first processing circuit configured to process the measured signal, at least a second processing circuit configured to process the reference signal, and a third processing circuit configured to process both the measured signal and the reference signal.

Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a sensor that includes a first magnetoresistive (MR) element and a second MR element less active to a presence of a magnetic field than the first MR element. The second MR element includes a metal layer diffused into other layers of the second MR element.