Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic sensor device (10) comprising wires (11, 13) for the generation of a magnetic field and a magnetic sensor element (12), for example a GMR (12), for sensing changes of the generated magnetic field caused by magnetic particles (2). The wires (11, 13) and the magnetic sensor element (12) are supplied with alternating currents (I1, I2) of high frequencies f1 and f2. Said frequencies are chosen such that their difference ?f=æf2?f1æ is low and lies in a range of thermal white noise above the 1/f noise of an amplifier (24) and below the 1/f noise of the GMR (12). In this way it is possible to use a high-frequency magnetic field while only low frequency signals have to be processed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic sensor device (10) comprising wires (11, 13) for the generation of a magnetic field with a first frequency f1s a GMR sensor (12) operated with an input current of a second frequency f2, and an amplifier (26) for amplifying the output of the GMR sensor (12). A first filter (24) is used to prevent noise of the current source (23) from reaching the GMR sensor (12), and to prevent magnetic signals from the GMR sensor (12) from reaching the current source (23). Moreover, a second filter (25) is used to prevent the second frequency f2 from reaching the amplifier (26).

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic sensor device (10) comprising wires (11, 13) for the generation of a magnetic field with a first frequency f1 a GMR sensor (12) operated with an input current of a second frequency f2, and a demodulator (26) operated at a third frequency f3. In order to avoid signal corruption by phase noise and to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, the first, second and third frequencies are derived by a supply unit (121) from a common reference frequency fref. Said derivation may for example be achieved with the help of digital frequency dividers. Furthermore, phase detectors (PD1, PD2) may be used in a feedback control loop to assure predetermined relations between the phases of the three frequencies. In another embodiment of the invention, the phase and/or amplitude of a model signal, which is used to process a desired signal component in the output of the sensor, is tracked by an adaptation algorithm, for example a gradient descent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microsensor device like a magnetic biosensor (100). The microsensor device comprises an array of probe-sensors (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) for the measurement of a physical quantity, for example the concentration of molecules labeled with magnetic beads in a sample chamber. The array further comprises a reference-sensor (10.4) that is disposed close to the probe-sensors (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) but shielded from the physical quantity to be measured. The measuring signal of the reference-sensor (10.4) reflects the influence of environmental conditions like temperature and can therefore be used to correct the measuring signals of the probe-sensors (10.1, 10.2, 10.3). The sensors (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) are connected via a multiplexer to the same detector unit for further processing in order to minimize variations and to reduce hardware complexity.

Abstract: Conventional accelerometers are based on test masses that are suspended in some kind of spring damper system. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a two-dimensional adaptive accelerometer based on dielectrophoresis is provided, which measures an acceleration of a test mass freely floating in a medium by determining the movement of the test mass due to an accelerating force acting on the test mass. A non-uniform electric force field provides for a wide and adjustable dynamic range.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor (MS) for sensing a magnetic stray field (SF) generated by magnetizable object (SPB) when magnetized and for generating an electrical object signal (UOB) which depends on the sensed magnetic stray field (SF), comprising a magnetic field generator (WR1, WR2) for generating a magnetic main field (H) for magnetizing the magnetizable object (SPB), and cross-talk reduction means for reducing the effect of a cross talk signal component in the electrical object signal (UOB) caused by magnetic cross-talk between the magnetic main field (H) and the magnetic stray field (SF), wherein the cross-talk reduction means is arranged for distinguishing a signal property between the cross-talk signal component and the remaining part of the electrical object signal (UOB) and for generating an electrical output signal (Uo).

Abstract: A driver for driving a light generator for generating light, comprising a digitalto-analog converter (DAC) having a data input, a data output for generating an analog signal, a first multiplexer (MUX1) for cyclic selection of a number of data levels corresponding to desired intensity levels of the light and for coupling the data levels to the data input; a de multiplexer (DE-MUX) synchronized with the first multiplexer (MUX1) for de-multiplexing the analog signal into a set of analog signals; memory means for temporarily storing the set of analog signals; and a second multiplexer (MUX2) for selection of the stored set of analog signals and for generating a drive signal (IL) for the light generator. The memory means is preferably implemented by a set of capacitors (C1-C8). Usually, for instance in an optical disc drive, the light generator is implemented by a laser (Ls).

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical record carrier recording apparatus and a corresponding method comprising a device for generating a timing signal having an increased timing resolution with respect to an inputted recording signal.