Abstract: A magnetic field sensor and a method associated with the magnetic field sensor provide gain correction coefficients and/or offset correction coefficients stored in the magnetic field sensor in digital form. The gain correction coefficients and/or offset correction coefficients can be used to generate analog control signals to control a sensitivity and/or an offset of an analog signal path through the magnetic field sensor.

Abstract: A current sensor includes: a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor; a first analog-to-digital converter which is connected to the first magnetic sensor and converts an output signal of the first magnetic sensor from an analog signal to a digital signal so as to be output; a second analog-to-digital converter which is connected to the second magnetic sensor and converts an output signal of the second magnetic sensor from an analog signal to a digital signal so as to be output; and an operation device which is connected to the first analog-to-digital converter and the second analog-to-digital converter, and outputs an operation value by subjecting the output signal of the first analog-to-digital converter and the output signal of the second analog-to-digital converter to differential operation.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes two non-coinciding arrangements disposed in an two axes Cartesian coordinate system such that each arrangement having a non-zero projection on a respective axis from among the two axes. Each one of the arrangements includes a pair of oppositely directed, spaced apart, co-axial radiating-capable elements, each of the elements being hollow with internal space, and being slotted throughout its entire extent. A first circuitry coupled to the arrangement and being configured to sense an electric field projection along the axis and to convey it to a first feeding terminal. A second circuitry coupled to a slot of the arrangement and being configured to sense a magnetic field's projection along said axis and to convey it to a first feeding terminal.

Abstract: A detector with a telescopic carrier/guide rod on which at one end a measuring probe is disposed, whereby the carrier/guide rod comprises at least two anti-twist tubes longitudinally movable and lockable in one another, which form an outer tube and an inner tube, whereby the tubes comprise a linear sliding guide as an anti-twist lock relative to one another. The linear sliding guide comprises at least one longitudinal rib extending inside over the entire length of the outer tube and at least one rib guide extending outside over a partial length of the inner tube on the insertion side of tube end with a recess with which the longitudinal rib engages. The rib guide is formed by a guide sleeve, which is divided in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for magnetic field angular position sensing. A device designed in accordance with this disclosure may include a magnetoresistive sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of a magnetic field, the signal having an angular range of 180 degrees, a first polarity sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a polarity of the magnetic field sensed from a first location, and a second polarity sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a polarity of the magnetic field sensed from a second location different from the first location.

Abstract: A device rotates at least one static magnetic field about an axis, producing a rotating magnetic dipole field, and is movable in relation to the surface of the ground. The field is periodically sensed using a receiver to produce a receiver output responsive to the field. A positional relationship between the receiver and the device is monitored using the output. In one aspect, changing the positional relationship, by moving the device nearer to a boring tool which supports the receiver, causes an increase in accuracy of depth determination. In another aspect, determination of an actual overhead position of the boring tool, and its application, are described. Use of a plurality of measurements over at least one-half revolution of each magnet is disclosed. Establishing a surface radial direction toward a boring tool and resolution of multi-valued parameters is described. Calibration techniques, as well as a three transmitter configuration are also described.

Abstract: A portable terminal device is disclosed that includes a movable part having a display part; an arm part supporting the movable part so that the movable part is rotatable at least ±90° with reference to a rotation center position around a rotation center; and a position detection part detecting the position of the movable part relative to the arm part. The position detection part includes magnets, magnetic sensors detecting the magnetic fields thereof, and a calculation part determining the position of the movable part based on sensor outputs. The magnets are provided in one of the arm part and the movable part so as to be 90° apart from each other around the rotation center. The magnetic sensors are provided in the other one of the arm part and the movable part so as to oppose the corresponding magnets when the movable part is positioned at the rotation center position.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of methods and systems related to stimulus responsive nanoparticles. In one embodiment includes a stimulus responsive nanoparticle system, the system includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a plurality of elongated electro-responsive nanoparticles dispersed between the first and second electrodes, the plurality of electro-responsive nanorods configured to respond to an electric field established between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises driving one or more drive electrodes formed on a substrate with one or more drive signals. A wiper comprising at least one arm is driven to a predetermined voltage. The wiper is electrically insulated from a plurality of sense electrodes formed on the substrate. For each sense electrode of the plurality of sense electrodes, a charge stored by the sense electrode is detected. A processor determines a position of the wiper based on the detected charges stored by the plurality of sense electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus, that is particularly advantageous for compensating for the earth's magnetic field at a fluxgate current sensor. The apparatus and method actively compensate for local anomalies and loop mismatch at local segments distributed around closed loops of ferromagnetic material in order to null out sources of error that arise in the presence of an external magnetic field. External flux nulling circuits null the external magnetic flux at each of a plurality of associated pairs of diagonally opposite segments of coaxial closed loop cores. Each flux nulling circuit has a pair of diagonally opposite segment sensing coils and a pair of diagonally opposite segment cancellation coils. A flux detecting circuit detects the net magnetic flux in associated, diagonally opposite segments. A negative feedback control circuit drives the segment cancellation coils with a current to drive the flux detected by the segment detecting circuit to a minimum.

Abstract: A steering system includes a steering shaft an electric motor that assists a steering component; a torque detection device that generates a first detection signal according to a steering torque; and a compensation sensor that generates a second detection signal according to a magnetic flux around the steering shaft and its surrounding structure. In the steering system, an output signal, in which an influence of the magnetic field around the steering shaft and its surrounding structure is reduced, is generated based on a signal correction computing equation based on information on correlation between the first detection signal and the second detection signal. Then, in the steering system, the electric motor is driven based on the output signal.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement is operative to sense a relative kinematic state of a magnet (110) and a Hall-effect sensor (202) with respect to each other. The Hall-effect sensor has a Hall plate (204) and is accommodated in a surface-mount device. The magnet is configured for generating a magnetic field having an orientation primarily parallel to the Hall plate. The sensor arrangement comprises magnetic-field collecting means (206) for changing the orientation of the magnetic field to be primarily perpendicular to the Hall plate.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for detecting the presence of a substrate in a load cup. The invention includes a proximity sensor having a detection pad disposed below a contact surface of a load cup assembly and a target disposed on a lever member and adapted to move toward the detection pad when a substrate is placed on the lever member and adapted to move away from the detection pad when a substrate is removed from the lever member. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for calibrating eddy current sensors. A calibration curve is formed relating thickness of a conductive layer in a magnetic field to a value measured by the eddy current sensors or a value derived from such measurement, such as argument of impedance. The calibration curve may be an analytic function having infinite number terms, such as trigonometric, hyperbolic, and logarithmic, or a continuous plurality of functions, such as lines. High accuracy allows the omission of optical sensors, and use of eddy current sensors for endpoint detection, transition call detection, and closed loop control in which a process parameter is changed based on the measured magnetic flux density change in one or more processing zones.

Abstract: A method of surveying the condition of an underground enclosure including the steps of: (a) positioning at least one transmitter/receiver unit (including an antenna) within an underground, substantially nonconductive enclosure, such that a substantial air gap exists between the antenna and the inner wall of the enclosure; (b) transmitting an ultra wideband (UWB) signal toward at least a portion of the inner wall; and (c) processing the return signal in order to identify the interface between the soil and a region of conductivity different from the soil.

Abstract: A circuit assembly having a controller in which the Hall sensor or a programmable circuit component integrated therein is programmed by clocking or modulating a Hall sensor power supply voltage. A clocked or modulated controller power supply voltage is applied to the controller in clocked or modulated form; and where the clock or modulated Hall sensor power supply voltage is applied to the Hall sensor by the controller as a function of the clocked or modulated controller power supply voltage.

Abstract: A coupler is disclosed that employs hall-effect sensing technology. Specifically, the coupler is configured to produce an output voltage by converting the magnetic field generated by a current conductor at an input side. The output and input sides may be electrically isolated from one another but may be coupled via the hall-effect sensing technology, such as a hall-effect sensor.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a magnetic field sensor comprising a squat soft-magnetic body disposed on a surface of a substrate comprising a magnetic sensor array having a plurality of spatially diverse magnetic sensor elements disposed in a predetermined configuration. In the presence of an external magnetic field the squat soft-magnetic body becomes magnetized to generate a reactionary magnetic field. The plurality of magnetic sensor elements are respectively configured to measure a magnetic field value of a superposition of the external magnetic field and the reactionary magnetic field along a first axis (e.g., a z-axis), resulting in a plurality of spatially diverse measurements of the magnetic field component along the first axis. The plurality of spatially diverse measurements may be used to compute magnetic field components of the external magnetic field along a plurality of axes (e.g., x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method provide an output signal indicative of a speed of rotation and a direction of rotation of a ferromagnetic object capable of rotating. A variety of signal formats of the output signal are described.

Abstract: A gobo wheel with automatic detection system that automatically detects a rotational position of the gobo. The rotational position can be detected by a magnetic marking system. Each of the gobos can be randomly placed within the holder. The position of the gobos can be automatically determined during a start up routine for example, and then those positions can be stored and used for later determination of a position.