Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.

Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to forming metallization structures for integrated circuit devices by plating, and more particularly to plating metallization structures that are thicker than masking layers used to define the metallization structures. In one aspect, a method of metallizing an integrated circuit device includes plating a first metal on a substrate in a first opening formed through a first masking layer, where the first opening defines a first region of the substrate, and plating a second metal on the substrate in a second opening formed through a second masking layer, where the second opening defines a second region of the substrate. The second opening is wider than the first opening and the second region encompasses the first region of the substrate.

Abstract: Techniques for fabricating low-loss magnetic vias within a magnetic core are provided. According to some embodiments, vias with small, well-defined sizes may be fabricated without reliance on precise alignment of layers. According to some embodiments, a magnetic core including a low-loss magnetic via can be wrapped around conductive coils of an inductor. The low-loss magnetic vias can improve performance of an inductive component by improving the quality factor relative to higher loss magnetic vias.

Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.

Abstract: Thin film resistive sensors typically include a number of resistive components. These components should be well matched in order for the sensor to provide accurate readings. When a sensor is incorporated within an integrated circuit, the resistive components may be formed over, or under, metallic traces that form part of other components. As a result, the thin film resistive components are subjected to different levels of stress. This disclosure provides a structure that is arranged to mitigate the effects of stress.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the manufacture of inductive components, in particular transformers, using a combination of microfabrication techniques and discrete component placement. By using a prefabricated core, the core may be made much thicker than one that is deposited using microfabrication techniques. As such, saturation occurs later and the efficiency of the transformer is improved. This is done at a much lower cost than the cost of producing a thicker core by depositing multiple layers using microfabrication techniques.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide sensing of quadrants, angles, or distance using magnetoresistive elements. A quadrant or angle sensor can have magnetoresistive elements split into multiple angles to generate an output with reduced harmonics. A distance sensor can have magnetoresistive elements split and spaced apart to generate an output with reduced harmonics. A biasing conductor can alternatingly carry different amounts of current (different in at least one of magnitude or direction) for DC offset compensation or cancellation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide sensing of quadrants, angles, or distance using magnetoresistive elements. A quadrant or angle sensor can have magnetoresistive elements split into multiple angles to generate an output with reduced harmonics. A distance sensor can have magnetoresistive elements split and spaced apart to generate an output with reduced harmonics. A biasing conductor can alternatingly carry different amounts of current (different in at least one of magnitude or direction) for DC offset compensation or cancellation.

Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.

Abstract: Inductive components, such as transformers, can be improved by the inclusion of a magnetic core. However, the benefit of having a core is lost if the core enters magnetic saturation. One way to avoid saturation is to provide a bigger core, but this is costly in the context of integrated electronic circuits. The inventor realized that the magnetic flux density varies with position in a magnetic core within certain integrated circuits, causing parts of the magnetic core to saturate earlier than other parts. This reduces the ultimate performance of the magnetic core. This disclosure provides structures that delay the onset of early saturation, which can, for example, enable a transformer to handle more power.

Abstract: Thin film resistive sensors typically include a number of resistive components. These components should be well matched in order for the sensor to provide accurate readings. When a sensor is incorporated within an integrated circuit, the resistive components may be formed over, or under, metallic traces that form part of other components. As a result, the thin film resistive components are subjected to different levels of stress. This disclosure provides a structure that is arranged to mitigate the effects of stress.

Abstract: An embodiment of a position sensing system includes a signal generation circuit to generate an excitation signal according to a selected characteristic signal, a drive circuit to drive an excitation source with the excitation signal, an input circuit to receive a sensor output while driving the excitation source, a signal detection circuit to identify a component of the sensor output corresponding to the characteristic signal, and a control circuit to determine the position of the movable object as a function of the identified component of the sensor output. The positioning system may be included an electronic camera, where the movable object may be a lens. The excitation source may be a conductive coil, the excitation a magnetic field, and the sensor a magneto resistive sensor. Alternatively, the excitation source may be an optical excitation source, the excitation an optical excitation, and the sensor an optical sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic core is provided for an integrated circuit, the magnetic core comprising: a plurality of layers of magnetically functional material; a plurality of layers of a first insulating material; and at least one layer of an secondary insulating material; wherein layers of the first insulating material are interposed between layers of the magnetically functional material to form subsections of the magnetic core, and the at least one layer of second insulating material is interposed between adjacent subsections.

Abstract: A magnetic direction sensor, comprising a first array of magneto-resistive elements, said array having a first array primary direction and wherein some but not all of the magneto-resistive elements are wholly or partially provided at a first angle to the primary direction, and the remaining elements are also inclined with respect to the primary direction.

Abstract: A magnetic field direction detector for detecting whether a magnetic flux has a component of field from a first side or a second side of a detection axis; the magnetic field direction detector comprising: a first magneto-resistive sensor; and a perturbation generator; wherein the perturbation generator causes an external magnetic field to be perturbed so as to cause the apparent direction of flux to change by an angle ?1 at the first magneto-resistive sensor.

Abstract: Inductive components, such as transformers, can be improved by the inclusion of a magnetic core. However the benefit of having a core is lost if the core enters magnetic saturation. One way to avoid saturation is to provide a bigger core, but this is costly in the context of integrated electronic circuits. The inventor realized that the flux magnetic flux density varies with position in a magnetic core within an integrated circuit, causing parts of the magnetic core to saturate earlier than other parts. This reduces the ultimate performance of the magnetic core. This disclosure provides structures that delay the onset of early saturation, enabling a transformer to handle more power.

Abstract: An integrated dual-axis anisotropic magnetoresistive sensor can include first and second sensor units. A resistor bridge of the first sensor unit can include a plurality of magnetoresistors, each having at least one strip of anisotropic magnetoresistive material with a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the technological anisotropy axis of the material. A resistor bridge of the second sensor unit can include a plurality of magnetoresistors having a plurality of strips of the anisotropic magnetoresistive material, the plurality of strips including a first subset having longitudinal axes aligned at a first angle to the technological anisotropy axis and a second subset having longitudinal axes aligned at a second angle to the technological anisotropy axis. The second angle can have the same magnitude as the first, but be rotated in an opposite direction from the technological anisotropy axis.

Abstract: A magnetic direction sensor, comprising a first array of magneto-resistive elements, said array having a first array primary direction and wherein some but not all of the magneto-resistive elements are wholly or partially provided at a first angle to the primary direction, and the remaining elements are also inclined with respect to the primary direction.

Abstract: A magnetic field direction detector for detecting whether a magnetic flux has a component of field from a first side or a second side of a detection axis; the magnetic field direction detector comprising: a first magneto-resistive sensor; and a perturbation generator; wherein the perturbation generator causes an external magnetic field to be perturbed so as to cause the apparent direction of flux to change by an angle ?1 at the first magneto-resistive sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic core is provided for an integrated circuit, the magnetic core comprising: a plurality of layers of magnetically functional material; a plurality of layers of a first insulating material; and at least one layer of an secondary insulating material; wherein layers of the first insulating material are interposed between layers of the magnetically functional material to form subsections of the magnetic core, and the at least one layer of second insulating material is interposed between adjacent subsections.