Abstract: Apparatuses and sensor systems are described with magnetoresistive sensor configurations. The method of detecting a displacement of a magnetic component includes monitoring, via a position sensor operating in a low-powered mode, a magnetic field emitted by a magnetic component. The monitored characteristics of the magnetic field vary based at least in part on a displacement of the magnetic component. The method also includes determining, via the position sensor, whether the monitored characteristics of the magnetic field satisfy an activation criteria. The method further includes increasing the power of the position sensor to a high-powered mode to determine the displacement of the magnetic component upon determining that the monitored characteristics of the magnetic field satisfy the activation criteria. Corresponding position sensing systems are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses and sensor systems are described with magnetoresistive sensor configurations. An example magnetoresistive sensor configuration includes an input feed that receives an electrical current, magnetic field detection circuitry in electrical communication with the input feed, and a feedback connection in electrical communication with the magnetic field detection circuitry and the input feed. The magnetic field detection circuitry transitions between a released state and an operated state in response to an external magnetic source. The configuration further includes an electrical storage element in electrical communication with the input feed that maintains a minimum operating voltage and current within the magnetoresistive sensor in an instance in which the magnetic field detection circuitry is operated.

Abstract: Apparatuses and sensor systems are described with magnetoresistive sensor configurations. The method of detecting a displacement of a magnetic component includes monitoring, via a position sensor operating in a low-powered mode, a magnetic field emitted by a magnetic component. The monitored characteristics of the magnetic field vary based at least in part on a displacement of the magnetic component. The method also includes determining, via the position sensor, whether the monitored characteristics of the magnetic field satisfy an activation criteria. The method further includes increasing the power of the position sensor to a high-powered mode to determine the displacement of the magnetic component upon determining that the monitored characteristics of the magnetic field satisfy the activation criteria. Corresponding position sensing systems are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses and sensor systems are described with magnetoresistive sensor configurations. An example magnetoresistive sensor configuration includes an input feed that receives an electrical current, magnetic field detection circuitry in electrical communication with the input feed, and a feedback connection in electrical communication with the magnetic field detection circuitry and the input feed. The magnetic field detection circuitry transitions between a released state and an operated state in response to an external magnetic source. The configuration further includes an electrical storage element in electrical communication with the input feed that maintains a minimum operating voltage and current within the magnetoresistive sensor in an instance in which the magnetic field detection circuitry is operated.

Abstract: A first magnetic sensor produces a first output signal in response to movement of a target such as a multi-pole ring magnet, and a second magnetic sensor produces a second output signal in response to movement of the target. The first and second magnetic sensors may be corresponding magnetoresistor sensors, the first and second magnetic sensors may be intertwined, the first and second magnetic sensors may be oriented at an angle with respect to one another so as to produce a difference in phase between the first and second output signals, the first and second magnetic sensors may be arranged so as to produce a 90° phase difference between the first and second output signals, and/or the first and second magnetic sensors may be formed on a semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A first magnetic sensor is formed on a semiconductor substrate, and the first magnetic sensor produces a first output signal in response to movement of a multi-pole magnet. A second magnetic sensor is formed on the semiconductor substrate so as to be intertwined with the first magnetic sensor and so as to be at a predetermined angle with respect to the first magnetic sensor. The second magnetic sensor produces a second output signal in response to movement of the multi-pole magnet. The predetermined angle is between 0° and 180° exclusive, and the predetermined angle is sufficient to produce a difference in phase between the first and second output signals. An output signal converter converts the first and second output signals to a linear signal.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus and method include a sensor configured on an integrated circuit, which includes a current limiting open collector output stage configured in association with the integrated circuit. The current limiting open collector output stage reduces a fall time and a di/dt associated with an output signal of the sensor and a ringing produced thereof in order to improve EMC and conducted emissions required of the sensor.

Abstract: A voltage regulator operable as a voltage follower while a fusible link is closed and in a regulated voltage mode when the fusible link becomes open. The voltage regulator can be formed on monolithic semiconductor chips. Patterned thin films including aluminum and nickel-iron, and aluminum and polycrystalline silicon, comprise the fusible link. With the fusible link closed, the voltage regulator output is an analog of positive polarity variable voltage levels at the regulator input. Systems powered by the voltage regulator are allowed to be programmed until system programming requiring variable voltage levels is complete. Afterwards, a negative polarity voltage is applied to the regulator input causing a large current to pass through the fusible link once the system programming is completed. Current thereby causes the fusible link to become opened and enables the voltage regulator to begin operating at a regulated voltage in response to positive voltage input.

Abstract: A first magnetic sensor produces a first output signal in response to movement of a target such as a multi-pole ring magnet, and a second magnetic sensor produces a second output signal in response to movement of the target. The first and second magnetic sensors may be corresponding magnetoresistor sensors, the first and second magnetic sensors may be intertwined, the first and second magnetic sensors may be oriented at an angle with respect to one another so as to produce a difference in phase between the first and second output signals, the first and second magnetic sensors may be arranged so as to produce a 90° phase difference between the first and second output signals, and/or the first and second magnetic sensors may be formed on a semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A first magnetic sensor is formed on a semiconductor substrate, and the first magnetic sensor produces a first output signal in response to movement of a multi-pole magnet. A second magnetic sensor is formed on the semiconductor substrate so as to be intertwined with the first magnetic sensor and so as to be at a predetermined angle with respect to the first magnetic sensor. The second magnetic sensor produces a second output signal in response to movement of the multi-pole magnet. The predetermined angle is between 0° and 180° exclusive, and the predetermined angle is sufficient to produce a difference in phase between the first and second output signals. An output signal converter converts the first and second output signals to a linear signal.

Abstract: Multiple magnetic sensing transducers can detect the position of a target. For example, a linear array of transducers can detect a target's linear position. A master and slave arrangement can reduce the cost and size of a system containing multiple magnetic sensing transducers. The master contains circuitry for voltage regulation and processing logic as well as a magnetic sensing transducer. The slaves contain a magnetic sensing transducer and little else. As such, the slave units are small and inexpensive. The slaves obtain power from the master, produce detection signals, and pass the detection signals to the master. The master interprets the detection signals along with an internal detection produced by the master's internal magnetic sensing transducer to produce a position signal.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus and method include a sensor configured on an integrated circuit, which includes a current limiting open collector output stage configured in association with the integrated circuit. The current limiting open collector output stage reduces a fall time and a di/dt associated with an output signal of the sensor and a ringing produced thereof in order to improve EMC and conducted emissions required of the sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic sensing method and apparatus include a plurality of bridge circuits, wherein each bridge circuit or element within a bridge is formed on a separate permalloy layer comprising a plurality of permalloy bridge runners. The permalloy bridge runners can be selected such that each permalloy bridge runner possesses a selectable wafer anisotropy to a length of the permalloy bridge runner in order to form a magnetic sensor based on the bridge circuits, maximize the magnetic sensitivity of the magnetic sensor, maximize the matching between bridges and independently control the wafer anisotropy through the use of multiple bridge circuits configured on separate permalloy layers.

Abstract: A magnetic sensing apparatus includes a first magnetic transducer separated spatially from a second magnetic transducer and proximate to a target and a direction decoding circuit associated with the first and second magnetic transducers, wherein the direction decoding circuit produces output pulses that provide data indicative of a rotation of the target while rejecting rotational vibration signals associated with the target during a rotational detection of the target utilizing the first and second magnetic transducers without producing erroneous output pulses or missing an excessive number of the output pulses during speed and rotational detection operations thereof.

Abstract: A low dropout voltage regulator apparatus is disclosed, which includes a low dropout voltage regulator circuit connected to a supply voltage, wherein at least one input voltage is input to the low dropout voltage regulator circuit to generate at least one output voltage from the low dropout voltage regulator circuit. A feedback compensation component is also provided, which is integrated with the low dropout voltage regulator circuit. The feedback compensation component is located generally within the low dropout voltage regulator circuit to take advantage of a Miller effect associated with the low dropout voltage regulator circuit in order to withstand high voltages associated with the supply voltage and generate the output voltage from the low dropout voltage regulator circuit.

Abstract: A permalloy sensor having high sensitivity is presented A substrate and a sensor has a first surface having a wafer level anisotropy in a given direction. A permalloy resistor pattern of individual runners is deposited on the surface such that the mechanical length of each of said individual runners is perpendicular to the wafer level anisotropy to cause the sensor to have an anisotropy of about 90°. The permalloy is deposited as a thin film and a silicon wafer is the preferred substrate.

Abstract: Two bridge type transducers are coupled in series with their outputs each driving one of a pair of differential amplifiers, with the outputs tied together in a push-pull configuration. In further embodiments, push-pull operation is obtained by matching amplifier gain components and using current mirrors. Lower voltage operation may be achieved by simple diode level shifting of the transducer outputs. In one embodiment, the transducers comprise Hall effect sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting gear features is provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic-sensing element, a thresholding module, and an output module. The magnetic-sensing element may provide a sensor-output signal indicative of the presence of a gear feature. The thresholding module may (i) transform the sensor-output signal into a characteristic waveform, which is also indicative of the presence of the gear feature; (ii) detect a first difference between the characteristic waveform and a reference signal, and responsively provide a tracking signal that tracks this difference; and (iii) detect a second difference between the tracking and reference signals, and responsively adjust the sensor-output signal. Adjustment may be performed (i) as a function of the second difference when it falls below a given threshold and (ii) by a predetermined amount when the second difference satisfies the given threshold.

Abstract: A power supply rejection circuit and method thereof for capacitively-stored reference voltages is disclosed. The power supply rejection circuit generally comprises a comparison circuit for comparing a signal associated with a power supply such as, for example, a Wheatstone bridge configuration, to a stored reference voltage, such that the comparison circuit includes at least one existing capacitor therein. At least one additional capacitor can be then coupled to the comparison circuit, such that the additional capacitor creates a capacitively-coupled voltage divider. This capacitively-coupled voltage divider negates the first order effects of power supply noise in the system. This effect significantly reduces the effect of power supply noise and improves signal jitter associated with the comparison circuit during a comparison of the signal to the stored reference voltage utilizing the comparison circuit.

Abstract: A voltage driver having a pass transistor using a sensing diode and disabling transistor to sense and disable the driver during a short circuit condition. No current sense resistors or other devices in series with the pass transistor are used. During a short circuit condition, the collector-emitter (or drain-source) voltage of the pass transistor prevents the sensing diode from conducting which causes the disabling transistor to remove the control signal to the pass transistor. This latches the driver output off, protecting the driver from the short circuit condition. Recycling the control signal unlatches the protection, allowing another attempt to turn on the driver.