Abstract: A magneto-resistive sensor for measuring a magnetic field based on an anisotropic magneto-resistive (AMR) effect or a gigantic magneto-resistive (GMR) effect comprises a substrate and a plurality of resistors that include first magneto-resistive layer strips arranged in form of a bridge circuit on the substrate. The plurality of resistors have a resistance value that depends on a magnetic field strength. At least one second layer strip is connected in series with the first magneto-resistive layer strips of at least one of the plurality of resistors. The first magneto-resistive layer strips have a resistance that depends on temperature according to a first positive temperature coefficient; and the at least one second layer strip has a resistance that depends on temperature according to a second temperature coefficient different from the first temperature coefficient, the second temperature coefficient being non-negative.

Abstract: Disclosed are absolute measuring systems comprising measuring rods that are composed of groups of at least two magnetic segments. The magnetic segments of at least one group have the same length in the direction of measurement while the magnetic segments of the different groups have different lengths. For arrangements encompassing more than two sensors on the single-track measuring rods, multistage phase difference processes are disclosed which result in high resolutions and accurate measurements while allowing for great measured lengths and, when anisotropic magnetoresistive sensors are used, for example, an unambiguous angle measurement range of 360°. FIG. 6a best represents the essence of the invention.

Abstract: Magneto-resistive sensors based on the AMR or GMR effect exhibit substantially enlarged linear characteristic curve regions as a result of the fact that their resistances are composed of magneto-resistive layer strips of differing anisotropic forms. Differing anisotropic forms can be achieved by different strip widths, strip thicknesses, strip intervals or strip materials. The temperature compensation for the output voltage of the magneto-resistive sensors, at least at one point on the characteristic curve, is achieved by the series connection of an additional layer strip with a temperature coefficient that differs from that of the magneto-resistive material to at least one magneto-resistive resistance of the sensor.

Abstract: Magnetoresistive sensors based on the AMR or GMR effect exhibit substantially enlarged linear characteristic curve regions as a result of the fact that their resistances are composed of magnetoresistive layer strips of differing anisotropic forms. Differing anisotropic forms can be achieved by different strip widths, strip thicknesses, strip intervals or strip materials. The temperature compensation for the output voltage of the magnetoresistive sensors, at least at one point on the characteristic curve, is achieved by the series connection of an additional layer strip with a temperature coefficient that differs from that of the magnetoresistive material to at least one magnetoresistive resistance of the sensor.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive resistor for use in sensors for determining alignment of the sensor relative to a homogeneous magnetic field include an anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) strip having a longitudinal extent and a first and second edge along the longitudinal extent. The first and second edge have a shape along the longitudinal extent such that the direction of current flowing through the strip varies continuously along the longitudinal extent of the strip. The shape of the first and second edges produce a resistance determining angle with respect to the homogeneous magnetic field, the angle varying throughout the length of the strip and filtering out harmonics. A sensor bridge comprising at least one AMR resistor pair, each resistor electrically connected to the other resistor, a positive input contact and a negative input, and an output voltage tap electrically connected between the resistors in each resistor pair.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive resistor for use in sensors for determining alignment of the sensor relative to a homogeneous magnetic field include an anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) strip having a longitudinal extent and a first and second edge along the longitudinal extent. The first and second edge have a shape along the longitudinal extent such that the direction of current flowing through the strip varies continuously along the longitudinal extent of the strip. The shape of the first and second edges produce a resistance determining angle with respect to the homogeneous magnetic field, the angle varying throughout the length of the strip and filtering out harmonics. A sensor bridge comprising at least one AMR resistor pair, each resistor electrically connected to the other resistor, a positive input contact and a negative input, and an output voltage tap electrically connected between the resistors in each resistor pair.

Abstract: Magnetoresistive sensors which use the AMR or the GMR effect and indicate the direction of the homogeneous magnetic field of a rotatable permanent magnet in the angle measurement or the position of the sensor with respect to a scale, which is magnetized periodically in an alternating direction, for the position measurement, and in which the angle or position value is obtained from the quotient of the output signals from two bridges or half bridges with the aid of arctan interpolation, allow small measurement errors if the output signals have small harmonic components and hysteresis areas. In arrangements according to the invention, this is achieved by the resistors being composed of strips and by continuously varying the resistance-determining angle along the strip longitudinal extent for each constant magnetic field acting on the strips.

Abstract: Disclosed are absolute measuring systems comprising measuring rods that are composed of groups of at least two magnetic segments. The magnetic segments of at least one group have the same length in the direction of measurement while the magnetic segments of the different groups have different lengths. For arrangements encompassing more than two sensors on the single-track measuring rods, multistage phase difference processes are disclosed which result in high resolutions and accurate measurements while allowing for great measured lengths and, when anisotropic magnetoresistive sensors are used, for example, an unambiguous angle measurement range of 360°. FIG. 6a best represents the essence of the invention.

Abstract: Magnetoresistive sensors based on the AMR or GMR effect exhibit substantially enlarged linear characteristic curve regions as a result of the fact that their resistances are composed of magnetoresistive layer strips of differing anisotropic forms. Differing anisotropic forms can be achieved by different strip widths, strip thicknesses, strip intervals or strip materials. The temperature compensation for the output voltage of the magnetoresistive sensors, at least at one point on the characteristic curve, is achieved by the series connection of an additional layer strip with a temperature coefficient that differs from that of the magnetoresistive material to at least one magnetoresistive resistance of the sensor.

Abstract: Magnetoresistive sensors which use the AMR or the GMR effect and indicate the direction of the homogeneous magnetic field of a rotatable permanent magnet in the angle measurement or the position of the sensor with respect to a scale, which is magnetized periodically in an alternating direction, for the position measurement, and in which the angle or position value is obtained from the quotient of the output signals from two bridges or half bridges with the aid of arctan interpolation, allow small measurement errors if the output signals have small harmonic components and hysteresis areas. In arrangements according to the invention, this is achieved by the resistors being composed of strips and by continuously varying the resistance-determining angle along the strip longitudinal extent for each constant magnetic field acting on the strips.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for pulse magnetizing high-precision magnetic scales. The system comprises a shaped current conductor (1) and a pulse current source (2) that is composed of a capacitor bank (3), a transfer switch (4) and a control unit (5). The compact set-up of the system is the prerequisite for a power circuit that has such a low resistance that the required high pulse currents are obtained at supply voltages of below 60 V. The transfer switch is an H bridge with four switches (7) that contain equal numbers of MOS transistors connected in parallel. The short pulse times that are achieved using the MOS transistors allow the use of shaped current conductors with which magnetized areas can be produced with a very high precision. The inventive system provides a means for saving components, electric power and time by a factor of up to 100.

Abstract: In at least one measuring rod of the length measurement system the direction of magnetization lies in the plane of its cross-section which is perpendicular to the direction of measurement and forms a magnetization pattern. In the simplest case the magnetization of the cross-section is homogeneous. As one advances in the direction of measurement the magnetization pattern is increasingly rotated in relation to the starting end of the measuring rod. This magnetization results in a magnetic field whose direction is also continuously rotated as one advances in the direction of measurement. By means of at least one magnetic field sensor which responds to the direction of the magnetic field the prevailing field angle for each position is determined and can be clearly assigned to the position for a multitude of different variants of the length measurement system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating signals while eliminating an interference signal on magnetoresistive sensor elements which is preferably proportional to the zero offset. The sensor elements can form a sensor element array such as a sensor bridge. According to the invention, the direction of magnetization of the sensor elements is modulated or shifted by applying a magnetic pulse field of a modulated or variable direction, and the output signals of the sensor elements or of the sensor element array are fed to a differential amplifier. Due to the modulation or shift of the operating voltage of the sensor bridge, the modulation or shift resulting at the same time as the magnetization of the sensor elements, a signal often arises which includes a direct component that is proportional to the magnetic field to be measured, and has an alternating component that is proportional to the offset voltage of the sensor element array. The latter is minimized by a feedback or is adjusted to zero.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for measuring current I.sub.o is disclosed. The sensor assembly includes four magnetoresistive resistors (1, 2, 3, 4) arranged to form a Wheatstone bridge. The bridge is disposed over a U shaped conductor 14. The resistors are arranged so that two resistors (1,2) forming one bridge branch are disposed over one leg of the conductor and the two resistors (3,4) forming the other bridge branch are disposed over the other leg of the conductor. Each resistor is formed out of a number of magnetoresistive strips (1', 2', 3', 4'). The magnetoresistive strips forming the individual bridge branch resistors are interleaved so as to ensure the resistors forming each bridge branch have substantially the same temperature. When current I.sub.o is applied to the conductor, the equal and opposite magnetic fields that develop around the individual bridge branches cause the Wheatstone bridge to produce a signal U.sub.a that is a function of the current.

Abstract: To measure magnetic field gradients is difficult because sensor elements available for this have only a limited linearity range due to their sensitivity which is strongly dependent on the temperature and on auxiliary-field magnetic fields and furthermore this sensitivity has a significant sample dispersion. Whereas now the arrangement of a a Wheatstone bridge with magnetoresistive resistors is such that on the one hand two symmetrical areas are provided, in each area of which a resistor of a bridge branch is arranged, and that moveover all other building elements are also designed with a high degree of symmetry. With this a symmetrical temperature gradient is created in the sensor chip, which gradient does not influence the output signal of the bridge. A temperature-dependent zero-point drift does also not exist. The changeable resistor needed for trimming is as the single singular structural part directly arranged on the central axis and also does not interfere with the measurement.

Abstract: Described is a sensor based on the magnetoresistive effect and integrated into the thin-film arrangement of a remagnetization line in the form of a meander. In an adaptation to this meandering structure, the magnetoresistive film strips are provided in regions with alternating positive- and negative-inclined Barber pole structures. When periodic remagnetization of the regions takes place, a drift-free AC voltage is obtained as a sensor output signal. This lack of drift is the presupposition for the use of the magnetic field sensor for precise measurement of weak magnetic fields.