Abstract: According to a motor rotational angle detection device which includes a plurality of motor rotational angle detection units which detect a rotational angle of a motor, and a normal angle decision device which includes a motor rotational angle information item and decides a normal motor rotational angle, in which when a difference is caused between output values of the plurality of motor rotational angle detection units, the normal angle decision device respectively compares the output value of each of the motor rotational angle detection units with the motor rotational angle information item included in the normal angle decision device, and identifies the normal motor rotational angle detection unit, and decides the normal motor rotational angle.

Abstract: An interference determining circuit for a capacitive sensor device comprises an amplifier, absolute differential circuitry, and comparator circuitry. The amplifier is configured for receiving a reference voltage at a first input and for receiving a resulting signal at a second input. The resulting signal is from a sensor electrode of the capacitive sensor device. The absolute differential circuitry is coupled with an output of the amplifier and configured for outputting a difference signal. The difference signal represents an absolute differential between currents utilized in the amplifier. The comparator circuitry is coupled with the absolute differential circuitry and configured for generating a non-linearity indication based on a comparison of the difference signal with at least one reference signal.

Abstract: A first counter is incremented when a first rotational speed sensing device detects a falling edge of one of the teeth of a single multi-tooth target wheel, a second counter is incremented when a second rotational speed sensing device detects a falling edge of one of the teeth, and a third counter is incremented when either of the first and second rotational speed sensing devices detects either of a rising edge and a falling edge of one of the teeth. A direction of rotation is determined based upon the third counter and a rotational speed of the rotatable member is determined based upon one of the first and second counters. The rotatable member is indicated to be at zero speed when the rotational speed is less than a threshold speed and the direction of rotation changes between a positive direction and a negative direction.

Abstract: A gap and displacement magnetic sensor system for scanner heads in paper machines or other systems includes a multiple-sensor assembly. The multiple-sensor assembly includes multiple magnetic field orientation sensors configured to capture measurements of a magnetic field in order to identify (i) a displacement of first and second scanning sensor heads in a first direction, and (ii) a gap separation of the first and second scanning sensor heads in a second direction, and (iii) a displacement of the first and second scanning sensor heads in a third direction. At least one of the magnetic field orientation sensors is disposed offset from a centerline of the magnetic field such that an output from the at least one magnetic field orientation sensor indicates a combination of the gap separation and the displacement in either the first direction or the third direction.

Abstract: An arrangement for use in a utility meter includes at least one circuit path, a three phase service switch, and a three phase monitoring unit. The at least one circuit path operably couples a source of electrical energy to a load. The service switch is operably coupled to the at least one circuit path and is configurable in an open state and a closed state. The monitoring unit is operably coupled to the at least one circuit path between the load and the service switch and is configured to detect a presence and an absence of line voltage on the load. The monitoring unit is further configured (i) to generate an open circuit signal responsive to the detection of the absence of line voltage on the load, and (ii) to generate a closed circuit signal responsive to the detection of the presence of line voltage on the load.

Abstract: Methods and systems for compensating for temperature variation in the performance of electronic circuits and systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems are configured to store compensation parameters determined in calibration, where the compensation parameters are used by the systems to modify performance. In some embodiments, the systems are part of an automatic test equipment (ATE) system.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a cable joint integrity detection systems for an electric vehicle includes an electric vehicle power converter module; a fastener joint on the power converter module; vehicle wiring connections electrically interfacing with the power converter module at the fastener joint; a current sensor electrically interfacing with the fastener joint; and a controller interfacing with the current sensor, the current sensor transmits a sensor signal to the controller to ensure connectional integrity between the fastener joint and the vehicle wiring connections. Cable joint integrity detection methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and circuits to measure independently of duty cycles a pulsed current of a pass transistor of a switched circuit. Methods and circuits of one embodiment may be applied to precisely operate DC-to-DC converters such as buck converters in the most efficient operation modes. Another embodiment can be used to measure the pulsed current independently of duty cycle over a wide range of current values.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for detecting motion of an object includes magnetic field sensing elements to generate at least two phase-separated magnetic field signals and a processor including a vector angle generator to generate vector angle values as a function of the magnetic field signals and a vector angle comparator to generate a comparator output signal indicative of a difference between a plurality of vector angle values. An output signal generator responsive to the comparator output signal is configured to generate a sensor output signal indicative of a one or more conditions of motion of the object including: an absence of normal rotation, a direction change, and a vibration. In some embodiments, the vector angle comparator may generate a comparator output signal indicative of a comparison of a vector angle value and one or more threshold values. In this case, the output signal generator may be configured to generate a sensor output signal indicative of a speed of motion and/or a position of the object.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor comprises a circular vertical Hall (CVH) sensing element comprising a plurality of vertical Hall elements, each vertical Hall element comprised of a respective group of vertical Hall element contacts selected from among a plurality of vertical Hall element contacts. A quadrature modulator circuit is coupled to the digital signal and operable to generate a plurality of quadrature modulated signals. A processor stage is coupled to receive the signals representative of the plurality of quadrature modulated signals, and operable to perform a sliding window integration using the signals representative of the plurality of quadrature modulated signals and compute an estimated angle of the external magnetic field using the signals representative of the plurality of quadrature modulated signals.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor comprises a circular vertical Hall (CVH) sensing element having a plurality of vertical Hall elements. A CVH output stage is included comprising one or more of drive circuits to drive the plurality of vertical Hall elements and produce an analog signal representing a strength of an external magnetic field as detected by the plurality of vertical Hall elements. An analog-to-digital converter is coupled to receive the analog signal and produce a digital signal. A quadrature modulator circuit is coupled to the digital signal and operable to generate a plurality of quadrature modulated signals. A processor stage receives signals representative of the plurality of quadrature modulated signals and computes an estimated angle of the external magnetic field.

Abstract: A multi-electrode conductive probe, a manufacturing method of insulating trenches and a measurement method using the multi-electrode conductive probe are disclosed. The conductive probe includes a base, a plurality of support elements, a plurality of tips and a conductive layer. The base has a surface and a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions are configured on the surface in a spacing manner, and an insulating trench is disposed between the two adjacent protrusions. The support elements are disposed at the base and protrude from the base. The tips are disposed on the end of the support elements away from the base. The conductive layer covers the surface of the base, the protrusions, the support elements and the tips. Portions of the conductive layer on the two adjacent support elements are electrically insulated from each other by at least an insulating trench.

Abstract: A test assembly adapted to test a semiconductor device is provided. The test assembly includes a main circuit board, an intermediate dielectric board, an intermediate circuit board, a plurality of intermediate conductive elements and a plurality of test probes. The main circuit board includes a surface and a plurality of pads disposed on the surface. The intermediate dielectric board is detachably disposed on the surface of the main circuit board and includes a plurality of through holes. The intermediate circuit board is disposed on the intermediated dielectric board and includes a plurality of first pads, a plurality of second pads, a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The intermediate conductive elements are disposed in the through holes, respectively. Each of the intermediate conductive elements electrically connects one of the pads of the main circuit board and one of the first pads of the intermediate circuit board.

Abstract: Techniques are described for testing a capacitive touch panel for the presence or absence of discontinuities. A pixel matrix is determined for a capacitive touch panel. The pixel matrix comprises pixel values representative of mutual capacitance of respective pixels of the capacitive touch panel. A difference matrix is generated from the pixel matrix. The difference matrix contains differences in pixel values for respective pixels of the capacitive touch panel with respect to pixel values of adjacent pixels. A determination may then be made from the difference matrix whether respective ones of the pixels of the capacitive touch panel contain a discontinuity.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to xMR sensors, in particular AMR and/or TMR angle sensors with an angle range of 360 degrees. In embodiments, AMR angle sensors with a range of 360 degrees combine conventional, highly accurate AMR angle structures with structures in which an AMR layer is continuously magnetically biased by an exchange bias coupling effect. The equivalent bias field is lower than the external rotating magnetic field and is applied continuously to separate sensor structures. Thus, in contrast with conventional solutions, no temporary, auxiliary magnetic field need be generated, and embodiments are suitable for magnetic fields up to about 100 mT or more. Additional embodiments relate to combined TMR and AMR structures. In such embodiments, a TMR stack with a free layer functioning as an AMR structure is used. With a single such stack, contacted in different modes, a high-precision angle sensor with 360 degrees of uniqueness can be realized.

Abstract: An interface circuit for a bridge sensor has a switch that connects to a resistive bridge circuit. The resistive bridge circuit includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and a pair of resistive branches that connect between the first and second input terminals. Both of the resistive branches include an output terminal. The switch is connected to the first input terminal and is in series with both resistive branches for connecting and disconnecting a voltage source from the resistive branch output terminals.

Abstract: Methods of operation of a self-powered power sensor (SPPS) are provided for the measurement of the likes of current, power, power factor, and other parameters related to the power consumption, at points of interest, such as circuit breakers, machines, and the like. Each SPPS is enabled to communicate its respective data, in an environment of a plurality of such apparatuses, to a management unit which may further process the data sent thereto, as well as communicate back to the SPPS for the purpose of synchronization of, for example, clocks of the SPPS and the management unit.

Abstract: A processing system for an input device includes a sensor module coupled to first sensor electrodes and second sensor electrodes. The sensor module includes sensor circuitry and is configured to acquire mutual capacitive measurements between the first sensor electrodes and the second sensor electrodes, and acquire absolute capacitive measurements of the first sensor electrodes and the second sensor electrodes. The processing system further includes a determination module configured to determine a projection from the mutual capacitive measurements and a profile from the absolute capacitive measurements, and determine a low ground mass correction factor based on a good ground value, the projection, and the profile.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for the measurement of power consumption at points of interest, such as circuit breakers, machines, and the like. Accordingly, means are provided for measurement of power consumption for each electrical sub-network that is controlled by a circuit breaker. Each apparatus is enabled to communicate its respective data, in an environment of a plurality of such apparatuses, to a management unit which is enabled to provide finer granularity power consumption profiles. Challenges of measuring relatively low supply currents, wireless operation in an environment of a large number of apparatuses, and self-powering are addressed.

Abstract: Electronic circuits used in magnetic field sensors use transistors for passing a current through the transistors and also through a magnetoresistance element.