Abstract: A sample-and-hold circuit is provided that includes a plurality of sample-and-hold branches arranged in parallel and each including a buffer and a sample-and-hold block including one or more sample-and-hold cells. The sample-and-hold circuit further includes a clock and timing circuit arranged for setting an adaptable time delay to enable sampling and sampling phase for each sample-and-hold block. The time delay of at least one sample-and-hold block can be set to value bigger than one sampling clock period.

Abstract: A current sensor is disclosed. The current sensor is substantially immune to stray fields due to the position and orientation of at least two magnetic field sensors and their respective axes of maximum sensitivity, as well as a total current sensor output that is a based on a difference of the individual magnetic field sensor outputs. The specific position and orientation of the magnetic field sensors allows for the current sensor to be smaller than known sensors of similar sensitivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data bus node integrated circuit comprising at least one static address selection terminal and a detecting circuit for detecting a state of the address selection terminal. The IC also comprises a communication circuit for data communication over a data bus. This circuit is adapted for determining a node address identifier taking the detected state of the at least one static address selection terminal into account. The detecting circuit is adapted for detecting the state of the address selection terminal by determining whether the address selection terminal is in a floating state, a power supply voltage state or a ground voltage state.

Abstract: A method of digitally processing an image comprises: generating an intensity distribution model (170) in respect of at least a portion of the array of sensing pixels (102) of a detector device (100). The array of sensing pixels comprises clusters of pixels. A pixel (140) from the array of sensing pixels is then selected (202) and a first distance and a second distance from the selected pixel to a first neighbouring pixel (142) and a second neighbouring pixel (144), respectively, are determined (402) and the intensity distribution model (170) referenced (406) by the first distance is used to calculate a first weight and a second weight to apply to the first and second neighbouring pixels, respectively. The first distance comprises an intra-cluster distance and the second distance comprises an inter-cluster distance, the intra-cluster distance being different from the inter-cluster distance.

Abstract: A system for measuring an angular position of a rotor with respect to a stator, wherein the rotor is rotatable around a rotation axis, the system comprising: a magnetic source mounted on the rotor, having at least four magnet poles and providing a periodically repetitive magnetic field pattern with respect to the rotation axis; a sensor mounted on the stator and comprising a plurality of sensor elements for measuring at least one magnetic field component of the magnetic field and for providing a measurement signal thereof; the sensor being located substantially centered around the rotation axis, in a plane substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis at a first distance from the magnetic source; the sensor elements being located substantially on a circle at a second distance from the rotation axis; a calculator that determines the angular position by calculating it from the measurement signals.

Abstract: Angular position sensor system comprising: a cylindrical magnet rotatable about a rotation axis; and an angular position sensor device comprising: a substrate comprising a plurality of magnetic sensitive elements configured for measuring a first magnetic field component in a first direction and a second magnetic field component in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a processing circuit configured for calculating the angular position; the sensor device being oriented such that the first direction is oriented in a circumferential direction, and the second direction is either parallel or orthogonal to the rotation axis; the sensor device being located at a predefined position where a magnitude of a third magnetic field component orthogonal to the first and second magnetic field component is negligible over the 360° angular range.

Abstract: A method of measuring temperature based upon a system of equations applying Stefan-Boltzmann's law and using a measurement value for an object to be measured and an ambient temperature value (Ta) comprises: pre-calculating (200, 202) a first vector (LUT1) and a second vector (LUT2). The first vector (LUT1) is a series of values proportional to received power based upon respective temperature values and in respect of a predetermined generic range of temperatures. The second vector (LUT2) is a series of sensitivity characteristic factor values based upon expected measured temperature values and in respect of a predetermined range of expected object measured temperatures. The first vector (LUT1) and the second vector (LUT2) are used (206) to generate a temporary vector (LUTT) of a series of values limited to the ambient temperature value to solve the system of equations in respect of the measurement value for the object, thereby determining (208) a temperature (To) for the object from the measurement value.

Abstract: A Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motor controller comprises a first terminal for applying a first voltage and a second terminal for applying a second voltage to obtain a driving current for driving a BLDC motor. The BLDC motor controller comprises a remote control unit which is adapted for monitoring a signal which is indicative for a current through at least the first or the second terminal. The BLDC motor controller is adapted for increasing the monitored current by applying an additional current. The additional current is different from zero if the motor is rotating. The BLDC motor controller is adapted for determining whether the motor is rotating or not, based on the monitored signal.

Abstract: A thermal imaging apparatus comprising: a thermal detector device (100) comprising an array of thermal sensing pixels (102) and signal processing circuitry (104) coupled to the detector device (100). The circuitry (104) supports a background identifier (110) and a pixel classifier (112), the background identifier (110) comprising a common intensity identifier (114) and an expected background intensity calculator (116). The background identifier (110) receives pixel measurement data captured by the detector device (100) in respect of pixels of the array (102) and the common intensity identifier (114) identifies a largest number of substantially the same pixel intensity values from the pixel measurement data. The expected background intensity calculator (116) uses the largest number of substantially the same pixel intensity values to generate a model of expected background intensity levels.

Abstract: A position sensor system for determining a position of a sensor device relative to a magnetic structure, the system comprising: said magnetic structure comprising a plurality of non-equidistant poles; said sensor device comprising at least three magnetic sensors spaced apart over predefined distances; and the sensor device being adapted for: a) measuring at least three in-plane magnetic field components, and for calculating two in-plane field gradients therefrom; b) measuring at least three out-of-plane magnetic field components, and for calculating two out-of-plane field gradients therefrom; c) calculating a coarse signal based on these gradients; d) calculating a fine signal based on these gradients; e) determining said position based on the coarse signal and the fine signal.

Abstract: A position sensor system for determining a position of a sensor device relative to a magnetic structure, the system comprising: said magnetic structure comprising a plurality of poles; said sensor device comprising a plurality of magnetic sensors; the magnetic structure being movable relative to the sensor device, or vice versa; wherein: a distance between centres of adjacent poles varies along the movement direction; the sensor device is adapted: for determining a first magnetic field component parallel to, and a second magnetic field component perpendicular to a movement direction, and for calculating a fine signal based on a ratio of the first and second magnetic field component; and for determining a coarse signal based on components and/or gradients; and for determining said position based on the coarse signal and the fine signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to sensors comprising a substrate, a platinum component having a first surface facing toward the substrate and a second surface facing away from the substrate, a protective covering over the platinum component, the protective covering comprising one or more layers, at least on of which is an oxygen getter material, a lower surface in physical contact with the second surface of the platinum component, and an upper surface; and a method for forming such a sensor. The protective covering with oxygen getter material protects the platinum component against oxygen dissolution therein, thereby reducing sensor drift.

Abstract: A sensor interface circuit comprises an input arranged to receive a sensor signal being an electrical signal representative of an electrical quantity. The electrical quantity includes a physical quantity converted in a sensor. The sensor interface circuit includes conversion means arranged for converting the sensor signal into a digital signal, memory to store sensor characterisation data, signal processing means adapted to obtain a first sensor result by processing the digital signal using the sensor characterisation data, and an output unit arranged to receive and output the first sensor result, the digital signal and the sensor characterisation data.

Abstract: A linear or angular position sensor system comprising a magnetic structure for generating a magnetic field, and a sensor device movable relative to the magnetic structure. The sensor device comprises a plurality of sensor elements for measuring at least two characteristics of said magnetic field, and a processing circuit for determining a linear or angular position of the sensor device relative to the magnetic structure in accordance with a predefined function of these characteristics (e.g. components or gradients). The magnetic structure comprises one or more grooves, having a shape and size which can be described by a limited set of parameters, having values optimized to reduce a maximum error between the actual position of the sensor device, and the calculated position based on said predefined function, by at least a factor of 2.

Abstract: A sensor device (100) comprises an emitter device (106) arranged to emit electromagnetic radiation and having an emission region associated therewith. The sensor device (100) also comprises a detector device (108) arranged to receive electromagnetic radiation and having a detection region associated therewith, and an optical system (122). The emission region is spaced at a predetermined distance from the detection region. The optical system (122) defines a plurality of principal rays, a number of the plurality of principal rays intersecting the detection region. The number of the plurality of principal rays also intersect the emission region.

Abstract: A memory device includes a non-volatile memory block, a protection unit arranged for connecting to a communication bus, and a sequencer arranged to receive commands from the protection unit. A logic circuit is arranged to output an enabling signal, and includes first and second logic subcircuits, and a combiner logic circuit.

Abstract: A bus node IC comprises at least one static address selection terminal and a detecting circuit for detecting a state of the static address selection terminal, and a communication circuit adapted for determining a node address identifier taking the detected state into account. The detecting circuit is adapted for detecting the state by determining an electrical property of a passive electronic component when connected to the static address selection terminal. The communication circuit is adapted for receiving/transmitting data over the data bus in accordance with a first communication protocol using the node address identifier for identification of the IC, and for receiving/transmitting data over said data bus in accordance with a second communication protocol using a further node address identifier for identification of the IC, wherein the communication circuit is adapted for configuring the further node address identifier by using data received using the first protocol.

Abstract: A pixel circuit wherein a pixel arrangement comprises a pixel comprising a photodetector, an integrator for accumulating a signal from the photodetector, a source following output transistor for amplifying the integrated signal, and a current source for applying a readout current through the output transistor, a voltage regulating circuit comprising an amplifier, a replica transistor dimensioned substantially the same as the output transistor, and a replica current source for providing substantially the readout current through each replica transistor, a gate of the replica transistor is connected with an output node of the amplifier connected with the pixel arrangement, and a source of the replica transistor is connected with a negative input of the amplifier, and with the replica current source, a predefined reference voltage is applicable to a positive input.

Abstract: A communication system comprising: a digital serial bus, and a master device and at least one slave device connected to the bus. The master and the slave(s) are adapted to communicate according to a predefined communication protocol. The master is adapted for transmitting a continuous bitstream in the form of a plurality of frames, such that each frame comprises one or more words. Each word has a constant time duration, with the first word of each frame being a unique word transmitted by the master for indicating the start of a frame. One or more bits each word is transmitted by the master as a dominant bit; a non-dominant bit, for allowing the at least one slave to overwrite. The at least one slave is adapted for overwriting in the continuous bitstream some non-dominant bits to transmit data in a quasi-synchronous manner.

Abstract: A permanent magnet in the form of a multi-pole magnet, comprising an isotropic magnetic material, having a central axis, magnetised such that the magnetic field, considered on a virtual circle lies substantially in a virtual plane tangential to the circle, and rotates inside that virtual plane, depending on the position on the circle. A method of producing a magnet comprising: a) providing a shaped body comprising an isotropic magnetic material; b) providing at least four electrical conductor segments; c) simultaneously make currents flow in each conductor segment. A magnet made in this way. Use of such a magnet for angular position sensing. An angular position sensor system comprising such a magnet.