Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a passive magnetoelectric transducer structure adapted for generating a charge via mechanical stress caused by a magnetic field. The first transducer structure has a first terminal electrically connectable to the control terminal of an electrical switch, and having a second terminal electrically connectable to the first terminal of the electrical switch for providing a control signal for opening/closing the switch. The switch may be a FET. A passive magnetic switch using a magnetoelectric transducer structure. Use of a passive magnetoelectric transducer structure for opening or closing a switch without the need for an external power supply.

Abstract: A target configured to be used with a position sensor for sensing a position of the target is described. The target includes at least one elongated conductive loop structure for allowing eddy currents to flow therein and configured to affect a magnetic field received from the position sensor in a preferred direction along the at least one elongated conductive loop structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to sensors comprising a substrate, a platinum component having a first surface facing toward the substrate and a second surface facing away from the substrate, a protective covering over the platinum component, the protective covering comprising one or more layers, at least on of which is an oxygen getter material, a lower surface in physical contact with the second surface of the platinum component, and an upper surface; and a method for forming such a sensor. The protective covering with oxygen getter material protects the platinum component against oxygen dissolution therein, thereby reducing sensor drift.

Abstract: An apparatus is arranged for sensing a position of a target, in particular for offset invariant sensing of the position of the target is described, as well as the respective target and the method. The apparatus comprises at least two sensor elements. At least one sensor element of the at least two sensor elements generates a magnetic field. At least one other sensor element of the at least two sensor elements receives the magnetic field and outputs at least one signal associated with the received magnetic field. The target affects a coupling of a magnetic flux of the magnetic field between the at least one sensor element generating the magnetic field and the at least one other sensor element receiving the magnetic field and wherein the target is non-rotational invariant.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for redundant measurements of a magnetic field originating from or influenced by a moveable object is described. The apparatus comprising at least one first magnetic field sensitive element measuring at least one magnetic field property of the magnetic field, wherein the at least one first magnetic field sensitive element is implemented on a first area of a semiconductor substrate, at least one second magnetic field sensitive element measuring at least one magnetic field property of the magnetic field, wherein the at least one second magnetic field sensitive element is implemented on a second area of said semiconductor substrate, and wherein the first and second areas are isolated from one another.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an electronic circuit, an interconnection contact such as a solder ball, and a plate configured to concentrate magnetic flux to a predetermined area. The plate is electrically conductive, and it is electrically connected to the electronic circuit.

Abstract: A target configured to be used with a position sensor for sensing a position of the target is described. The target includes at least one elongated conductive loop structure for allowing eddy currents to flow therein and configured to affect a magnetic field received from the position sensor in a preferred direction along the at least one elongated conductive loop structure.

Abstract: A sensor system comprises a magnetic field generator and a sensor device arranged at a distance from said magnetic field generator and adapted for measuring or determining at least one magnetic field component and/or at least one magnetic field gradient component. The magnetic field generator comprises a multi-pole magnet having a number N of pole pairs that are axially magnetized to generate an N-pole magnetic field that is substantially rotationally symmetric around an axis. The magnet comprises a plurality of grooves and/or elongate protrusions that are arranged in a rotationally symmetric pattern around the axis to provide a substantially constant magnetic field gradient in a central region around said axis.

Abstract: A field-sensor device comprises a first field sensor with a first sensor response to a field. The first sensor response is measured in a first orientation to produce a first sensor signal, a second field sensor with a second sensor response to the field the second sensor response measured in a second orientation different from the first orientation to produce a second sensor signal, and a controller for controlling the first and second field sensors to produce respective first and second sensor signals. The controller comprises a control circuit that converts any combination of first and second sensor signals to equivalent first and second comparable sensor signals in a common orientation, calculates an error signal derived from differences between the first and second comparable sensor signals, and adjusts any combination of the first and second sensor responses to reduce the error signal.

Abstract: An apparatus is arranged for sensing a position of a target, in particular for offset invariant sensing of the position of the target is described, as well as the respective target and the method. The apparatus comprises at least two sensor elements. At least one sensor element of the at least two sensor elements generates a magnetic field. At least one other sensor element of the at least two sensor elements receives the magnetic field and outputs at least one signal associated with the received magnetic field. The target affects a coupling of a magnetic flux of the magnetic field between the at least one sensor element generating the magnetic field and the at least one other sensor element receiving the magnetic field and wherein the target is non-rotational invariant.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for redundant measurements of a magnetic field originating from or influenced by a moveable object is described. The apparatus comprising at least one first magnetic field sensitive element measuring at least one magnetic field property of the magnetic field, wherein the at least one first magnetic field sensitive element is implemented on a first area of a semiconductor substrate, at least one second magnetic field sensitive element measuring at least one magnetic field property of the magnetic field, wherein the at least one second magnetic field sensitive element is implemented on a second area of said semiconductor substrate, and wherein the first and second areas are isolated from one another.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an electronic circuit, an interconnection contact such as a solder ball, and a plate configured to concentrate magnetic flux to a predetermined area. The plate is electrically conductive, and it is electrically connected to the electronic circuit.

Abstract: A sensor device comprising a substrate, the substrate comprising one or more magnetic sensor elements; a first elastomeric material on top of the one or more magnetic sensor elements; a magnetic layer comprising a soft magnetic metal alloy deposited by electroplating or by sputtering on top of the first elastomeric material; and optionally a second elastomeric material on top of the magnetic layer. The substrate may be a CMOS device with IMC encapsulated between two polyimide layers. The magnetic material may be annealed at 250° C. to 295° C. using a constant or rotating magnetic field having a strength in the range from 100 to 300 mTesla. The soft magnetic alloy is arranged as Integrated Magnetic Concentrator (IMC).

Abstract: Use of a metallic material for protecting platinum against oxygen dissolution therein; a sensor comprising a substrate, a platinum component having a first surface facing toward the substrate and a second surface facing away from the substrate, a protective covering over the platinum component, the protective covering comprising one or more layers, at least on of which is an oxygen getter material, a lower surface in physical contact with the second surface of the platinum component, and an upper surface; and a method for forming such a sensor.

Abstract: A sensor system comprises a magnetic field generator and a sensor device arranged at a distance from said magnetic field generator and adapted for measuring or determining at least one magnetic field component and/or at least one magnetic field gradient component. The magnetic field generator comprises a multi-pole magnet having a number N of pole pairs that are axially magnetized to generate an N-pole magnetic field that is substantially rotationally symmetric around an axis. The magnet comprises a plurality of grooves and/or elongate protrusions that are arranged in a rotationally symmetric pattern around the axis to provide a substantially constant magnetic field gradient in a central region around said axis.

Abstract: A field-sensor device comprises a first field sensor with a first sensor response to a field. The first sensor response is measured in a first orientation to produce a first sensor signal, a second field sensor with a second sensor response to the field the second sensor response measured in a second orientation different from the first orientation to produce a second sensor signal, and a controller for controlling the first and second field sensors to produce respective first and second sensor signals. The controller comprises a control circuit that converts any combination of first and second sensor signals to equivalent first and second comparable sensor signals in a common orientation, calculates an error signal derived from differences between the first and second comparable sensor signals, and adjusts any combination of the first and second sensor responses to reduce the error signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a passive magnetoelectric transducer structure adapted for generating a charge via mechanical stress caused by a magnetic field. The first transducer structure has a first terminal electrically connectable to the control terminal of an electrical switch, and having a second terminal electrically connectable to the first terminal of the electrical switch for providing a control signal for opening/closing the switch. The switch may be a FET. A passive magnetic switch using a magnetoelectric transducer structure. Use of a passive magnetoelectric transducer structure for opening or closing a switch without the need for an external power supply.

Abstract: A sensor device comprising a substrate, the substrate comprising one or more magnetic sensor elements; a first elastomeric material on top of the one or more magnetic sensor elements; a magnetic layer comprising a soft magnetic metal alloy deposited by electroplating or by sputtering on top of the first elastomeric material; and optionally a second elastomeric material on top of the magnetic layer. The substrate may be a CMOS device with IMC encapsulated between two polyimide layers. The magnetic material may be annealed at 250° C. to 295° C. using a constant or rotating magnetic field having a strength in the range from 100 to 300 mTesla. The soft magnetic alloy is arranged as Integrated Magnetic Concentrator (IMC).

Abstract: A sensor having a temperature dependent resistor mounted within a protective housing. The resistor is connected to external circuitry via a pair of connecting wires. In use, variations in temperature of the exhaust gas cause a variation in the temperature experienced by the resistor and consequently, the resistance of the resistor also varies. The resistor is mounted in a projecting end portion of the housing which is of narrower cross-section than the bulk of the housing. The housing is filled with a filler material. The filler material provides support to the resistor and the wires. In the present invention, unlike in prior art sensors, the filler material does not completely fill the housing. Instead a gap is provided which is crossed by the wires. The gap interrupts heat flow through the filler material and thus improves the thermal isolation of the resistor and thereby the accuracy of the sensor. In an alternative embodiment, the sensor additionally comprises an additional heat exchange element.