Abstract: A resonator comprises a resonator mass (34), a first connector (30) on a first side of the mass connected between the resonator mass and a first fixed mounting and a second connector (32) on a second, opposite, side of the mass connected between the resonator mass and a second fixed mounting. Drive means drives the mass (34) into a resonant mode in which it oscillates in a sideways direction, thereby compressing one of the first and second connectors while extending the other of the first and second connectors.

Abstract: A pressure/vacuum sensor and method, comprising: driving a MEMS piezoresistive resonator (8) into resonant vibration, applying Joule heating to the resonator (8); and sensing a variable parameter that varies in response to the tendency of the resonant frequency (fo) to depend upon the temperature of the resonator (8), the temperature thereof depending upon the pressure. The variable parameter may be the resonant frequency of the resonator (8), or a change therein, or may be derived from a feedback loop, being for example a time integrated feedback signal (82) or a reading (94) of the sense current (22), the loop keeping the resonant frequency constant in opposition to the above mentioned tendency. A reference MEMS capacitive resonator (62) may be located in the vicinity of the resonator (8) for compensating purposes.

Abstract: A MEMS resonator, comprising a planar resonator body formed of two different materials with opposite sign temperature coefficient of Young's modulus. A first portion of one material extends across the full thickness of the resonator body. This provides a design which allows reduced temperature drift.

Abstract: The invention provides a magnetic field sensor or current sensor which can exhibit a substantially linear relationship between the sensor signal and the logarithm of the magnetic field or current. The sensor may be used as a wide dynamic range sensor which can offer a constant relative sensitivity and a uniform SNR over several decades. The design of the sensor device may be implemented in discrete magnetic field sensors or current sensors as well as in integrated current sensors in ICs comprising MRAM modules.

Abstract: A sensor for contactlessly detecting currents, has a sensor element having a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), and detection circuitry, the sensor element having a resistance which varies with the magnetic field, and the detection circuitry is arranged to detect a tunnel current flowing through the tunnel junction. The sensor element may share an MTJ stack with memory elements. Also it can provide easy integration with next generation CMOS processes, including MRAM technology, be more compact, and use less power. Solutions for increasing sensitivity of the sensor, such as providing a flux concentrator, and for generating higher magnetic fields with a same current, such as forming L-shaped conductor elements, are given. The greater sensitivity enables less post processing to be used, to save power for applications such as mobile devices. Applications include current sensors, built-in current sensors, and IDDQ and IDDT testing, even for next generation CMOS processes.

Abstract: Detection circuits (1) for detecting movements of movable objects (2) such as joysticks are provided with first detectors (100) for detecting first movements of the joysticks in first directions, comprising first detection units (101) for detecting a presence/absence of light spots (3), locations of the light spots (3) depending on said first movements, and with second detectors (200) for detecting second movements of the joysticks in second directions, comprising second detection units (201) for detecting first/second intensities of the light spots (3), intensities of the light spots (3) depending on said second movements. Such detection circuits (1) are less sensitive to misalignment of components during an assembly and simpler to produce and less costly. The second detectors (200) are entirely located within the light spot (3) independently from positions of the joysticks and the first and third detectors are partly located within the light spot (3) dependently on positions of the joysticks.

Abstract: Detection circuits (1) for detecting movements of movable objects (2) such as joysticks are provided with first detectors (100) for detecting first movements of the joysticks in first directions, comprising first detection units (101) for detecting a presence/absence of light spots (3), locations of the light spots (3) depending on said first movements, and with second detectors (200) for detecting second movements of the joysticks in second directions, comprising second detection units (201) for detecting first second intensities of the light spots (3), intensities of the light spots (3) depending on said second movements. Such detection circuits (1) are less sensitive to misalignment of components during an assembly and simpler to produce and less costly. The second detectors (200) are entirely located within the light spot (3) independently from positions of the joysticks and the first and third detectors are partly located within the light spot (3) dependently on positions of the joysticks.

Abstract: Detection circuits (1) for detecting movements of movable objects (2) such as joysticks are provided with detectors (100,200) for detecting movements of the movable objects (2), comprising detection units (101-136,201-204) for detecting light spots (3) from sources (4), the light spots (3) depending on said movements, and with reference detectors (300) for compensating for aging/process variations, comprising reference detection units (301-304) for calibrating the detection units (101-136,201-204). Such detection circuits (1) suffer from aging/process variations to a relatively small extent. First detectors (100) for detecting x or y movements are partly located within the light spot (3) dependently on positions of the joysticks and the reference detectors (300) are then entirely located within the light spot (3) independently from positions of the joysticks.

Abstract: Detection circuits (1) for detecting movements of movable objects (2) such as joysticks are provided with detectors (100,200) for detecting movements of the movable objects (2), comprising detection units (101-136,201-204) for detecting light spots (3) from sources (4), the light spots (3) depending on said movements, and with reference detectors (300) for compensating for aging/process variations, comprising reference detection units (301-304) for calibrating the detection units (101-136,201-204). Such detection circuits (1) suffer from aging/process variations to a relatively small extent. First detectors (100) for detecting x or y movements are partly located within the light spot (3) dependently on positions of (300) are then entirely located within the light spot (3) independently from positions of the joysticks.

Abstract: Detection circuits (1) for detecting movements of movable objects (2) such as joysticks are provided with first detectors (100) for detecting first movements of the joysticks in first directions, comprising first detection units (101) for detecting a presence/absence of light spots (3), locations of the light spots (3) depending on said first movements, and with second detectors (200) for detecting second movements of the joysticks in second directions, comprising second detection units (201) for detecting first/second intensities of the light spots (3), intensities of the light spots (3) depending on said second movements. Such detection circuits (1) are less sensitive to misalignment of components during an assembly and simpler to produce and less costly. The second detectors (200) are entirely located within the light spot (3) independently from positions of the joysticks and the first and third detectors are partly located within the of light spot (3) dependently on positions of the joysticks.

Abstract: An integrated circuit arrangement having at least one electrical conductor which, when a current flows through it, produces a magnetic field which acts on at least a further part of the circuit arrangement. The electrical conductor has a first side oriented towards the at least further part of the circuit arrangement and comprises a main line of conductive material, and, connected to its first side, at least one field shaping strip made of magnetic material. Due to the field shaping strip, the inhomogeneity of the magnetic field profile above the electrical conductor is reduced.

Abstract: Consistent with an example embodiment, devices comprise sensor arrangements with field detectors for detecting components of magnetic fields in planes of the field detectors. The sensor arrangements further include movable objects for, in response to tilting movements, changing at least parts of the components of the magnetic fields in the planes of the field detectors so that the sensor arrangements are made less sensitive to in-plane stray fields by providing the field detectors with saturated field-dependent elements. The movable object may comprise a movable field generator for generating the magnetic field, or the movable object and the field generator may be different objects. The magnetic field is such that the field-dependent element is saturated. The field generator is smaller than the field detector, and the movable object is larger than the field detector, to reduce alignment problems. The movable object has a pivoting point close to the field detector.

Abstract: Devices (1) are provided with sensor arrangements (2) comprising field generators (10) for generating magnetic fields and first/second/third field detectors (11,12,13) comprising first/second/third elements (R1-R4, S1-S4, T1-T4) for detecting first/second/third components of the magnetic fields in a plane and movable objects (14) for, in response to first/second/third accelerations of the movable objects (14) in first/second/third directions, changing the first/second/third components of the magnetic fields (11,12,13) is more sensitive to the first (second, third) acceleration than to the other accelerations. Such devices (1) have a good sensitivity and a good linearity. The elements (R1-R4, S1-S4, T1-T4) form part of bridges. The first elements (R1-R4) surround the second and third elements (S1-S4, T1-T4), or vice versa. The first elements (R1-R4) may be in round or rectangular form and the second and third elements (S1-S4, T1-T4) may be in the form of sun beams leaving a sun.

Abstract: Devices (40) are provided with sensor arrangements (41) comprising field generators (42) for generating magnetic fields, field detectors (43) comprising magnetic field dependent elements (51-58) for detecting components of the magnetic fields in planes of the elements (51-58), and movable objects (44) for, in response to accelerations of the movable objects (44) parallel to the planes, changing the components of the magnetic fields. Length axes of the magnetic field dependent elements (51-58) make angles between minus 80 degrees and plus 80 degrees with the components to be detected. Means for forcing the movable objects (44) into rest positions comprise elastic material (59) or fixed objects (46) whereby one of the objects (44,46) comprises the field generator (42) and the other comprises magnetic material or a further field generator (50).

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated circuit arrangement having at least one electrical conductor (40) which, when a current flows through it, produces a magnetic field which acts on at least a further part of the circuit arrangement. The electrical conductor (40) has a first side oriented towards the at least further part of the circuit arrangement and comprises a main line (41) of conductive material, and, connected to its first side, at least one field shaping strip (42) made of magnetic material. Due to the field shaping strip (42), the inhomogeneity of the magnetic field profile above the electrical conductor (40) is reduced.

Abstract: A sensor for contactlessly detecting currents, has a sensor element having a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), and detection circuitry, the sensor element having a resistance which varies with the magnetic field, and the detection circuitry is arranged to detect a tunnel current flowing through the tunnel junction. The sensor element may share an MTJ stack with memory elements. Also it can provide easy integration with next generation CMOS processes, including MRAM technology, be more compact, and use less power. Solutions for increasing sensitivity of the sensor, such as providing a flux concentrator, and for generating higher magnetic fields with a same current, such as forming L-shaped conductor elements, are given. The greater sensitivity enables less post processing to be used, to save power for applications such as mobile devices. Applications include current sensors, built-in current sensors, and IDDQ and IDDT testing, even for next generation CMOS processes.