Abstract: The present disclosure provides magnetic sensor system that includes a magnetic sensing device comprising a magnetic multi-turn sensor, and an initialization device for setting the magnetic multi-turn sensor in a known state ready for use. The initialization device is in the form of a substrate, such as a printed circuit board, comprising one or more wires. A strong electrical pulse is applied to the one or more wires, which thereby generate a magnetic field that is strong enough to cause the magnetoresistive elements of the magnetic multi-turn sensor to be filled with domain walls, thereby magnetizing each element into an initialized state.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor package comprising a magnetic multi-turn sensor die and a magnetic single turn sensor die, in which both sensor dies are packaged on the same lead frame. A method of manufacturing the magnetic sensor package is also provided. A magnetic sensor system comprising a rotating magnet and the magnetic sensor package, where the sensor package is arranged so that both sensor dies sit within a homogenous magnetic field, thereby ensuring that the output signal of each sensor is not corrupted by any stray fields.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for initializing a multi-turn sensor that initializes the sensor almost instantaneously, thereby consuming very little energy. The initialisation device is provided in the form of a conductor that is placed a small distance above or below the sensor spiral, the conductor being configured so that it crosses at least two opposing corners of the spiral. A current is then applied to the conductor to generate a magnetic field in the corner sections of the spiral to nucleate domain walls. Once the domain walls have been nucleated, the external magnetic field will drive the pairs of domain walls away from each other towards the adjacent corners, changing the magnetic alignment of the tracks as they pass through. As such, the spiral can be initialised very quickly by applying a current to the conductor in the correct direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a magnetoresistive quadrant detector for use in a magnetic sensing device comprising a magnetic multi-turn sensor and an angle turn sensor, in particular, an angle sensor configured to provide 180° absolute angle measurements, such as an anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) angle sensor. The quadrant detector is formed of at least two magnetoresistive elements, preferably giant magnetoresistive (GMR) elements, which may be integrated to the multi-turn sensor die or provided on a separate die within the sensor package. The magnetoresistive elements are configured to provide a unique combination of resistance states for each quadrant of magnetic field direction. This quadrant information can then be used to remedy any ambiguities in the multi-turn measurement without needing 360° absolute angle information from the single turn angle sensor.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of determining the initialization state of a multi-turn sensor based on the sensor outputs. The method takes a reading of the sensor outputs, and then determines whether the sensor outputs are feasible based on an assumption that the sensor is initialized in one of two states. If the sensor outputs are correct, this initial assumption is taken to also be correct. However, if an incorrect sensor output is read, then it is taken that the assumed initialization state is incorrect. The sensor is therefore taken to be initialized in the alternative state. The method will then determine whether the sensor outputs are feasible based on this second assumption, and if an incorrect sensor output is still being read, then there is a fault in the multi-turn sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor package comprising a magnetic multi-turn sensor die and a magnetic single turn sensor die, in which both sensor dies are packaged on the same lead frame. A method of manufacturing the magnetic sensor package is also provided. A magnetic sensor system comprising a rotating magnet and the magnetic sensor package, where the sensor package is arranged so that both sensor dies sit within a homogenous magnetic field, thereby ensuring that the output signal of each sensor is not corrupted by any stray fields.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of monitoring the magnetic field in which a magnetic sensor is operating in to ensure that the sensor is operating within its defined magnetic window. For example, the method uses the sensor output of either a multi-turn sensor, or some other magnetoresistive sensor that is being used in conjunction with the multi-turn sensor, for example, a magnetic single turn sensor or a second multi-turn sensor, to monitor the operating magnetic field.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of monitoring the magnetic field in which a magnetic sensor is operating in to ensure that the sensor is operating within its defined magnetic window. For example, the method uses the sensor output of either a multi-turn sensor, or some other magnetoresistive sensor that is being used in conjunction with the multi-turn sensor, for example, a magnetic single turn sensor or a second multi-turn sensor, to monitor the operating magnetic field.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of monitoring the magnetic field in which a magnetic sensor is operating in to ensure that the sensor is operating within its defined magnetic window. For example, the method uses the sensor output of either a multi-turn sensor, or some other magnetoresistive sensor that is being used in conjunction with the multi-turn sensor, for example, a magnetic single turn sensor or a second multi-turn sensor, to monitor the operating magnetic field.

Abstract: A system includes a multiturn counter that can store a magnetic state associated with a number of accumulated turns of a magnetic field. The multiturn counter includes a plurality of magnetoresistive elements electrically coupled in series with each other and a reference element. The plurality of magnetoresistive elements are formed in a magnetic strip. The reference element is separate from the magnetic strip. A strip width of the magnetic strip and a strip width of the reference element are similar. The plurality of magnetoresistive elements and the reference element can be coupled to a matrix of electrical connections.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides magnetic sensor system that includes a magnetic sensing device comprising a magnetic multi-turn sensor, and an initialization device for setting the magnetic multi-turn sensor in a known state ready for use. The initialization device is in the form of a substrate, such as a printed circuit board, comprising one or more wires. A strong electrical pulse is applied to the one or more wires, which thereby generate a magnetic field that is strong enough to cause the magnetoresistive elements of the magnetic multi-turn sensor to be filled with domain walls, thereby magnetising each element into an initialized state.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to decoding the output of a multi-turn magnetic sensor using a successive approximation technique to detect a number of turns of a magnetic target. A decoder circuit can decode a turn count of the multi-turn magnetic sensor by obtaining measurements at nodes that are determined from values of previous measurements.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of monitoring the magnetic field in which a magnetic sensor is operating in to ensure that the sensor is operating within its defined magnetic window. For example, the method uses the sensor output of either a multi-turn sensor, or some other magnetoresistive sensor that is being used in conjunction with the multi-turn sensor, for example, a magnetic single turn sensor or a second multi-turn sensor, to monitor the operating magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor package comprising a magnetic multi-turn sensor die and a magnetic single turn sensor die, in which both sensor dies are packaged on the same lead frame. A method of manufacturing the magnetic sensor package is also provided. A magnetic sensor system comprising a rotating magnet and the magnetic sensor package, where the sensor package is arranged so that both sensor dies sit within a homogenous magnetic field, thereby ensuring that the output signal of each sensor is not corrupted by any stray fields.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to decoding the output of a multi-turn magnetic sensor using a successive approximation technique to detect a number of turns of a magnetic target. A decoder circuit can decode a turn count of the multi-turn magnetic sensor by obtaining measurements at nodes that are determined from values of previous measurements.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to correcting for a phase shift between signals associated with an angle sensor and a multi-turn sensor that includes magnetoresistive elements. A processing circuit can determine a phase shift correction and generate position information based on at least the phase shift correction and a signal associated with the multi-turn sensor.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to decoding the output of a multi-turn magnetic sensor using a successive approximation technique to detect a number of turns of a magnetic target. A decoder circuit can decode a turn count of the multi-turn magnetic sensor by obtaining measurements at nodes that are determined from values of previous measurements.

Abstract: A system includes a multiturn counter that can store a magnetic state associated with a number of accumulated turns of a magnetic field. The multiturn counter includes a plurality of magnetoresistive elements electrically coupled in series with each other and a reference element. The plurality of magnetoresistive elements are formed in a magnetic strip. The reference element is separate from the magnetic strip. A strip width of the magnetic strip and a strip width of the reference element are similar. The plurality of magnetoresistive elements and the reference element can be coupled to a matrix of electrical connections.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of determining the initialization state of a multi-turn sensor based on the sensor outputs. The method takes a reading of the sensor outputs, and then determines whether the sensor outputs are feasible based on an assumption that the sensor is initialised in one of two states. If the sensor outputs are correct, this initial assumption is taken to also be correct. However, if an incorrect sensor output is read, then it is taken that the assumed initialization state is incorrect. The sensor is therefore taken to be initialised in the alternative state. The method will then determine whether the sensor outputs are feasible based on this second assumption, and if an incorrect sensor output is still being read, then there is a fault in the multi-turn sensor.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to decoding the output of a multi-turn magnetic sensor using a successive approximation technique to detect a number of turns of a magnetic target. A decoder circuit can decode a turn count of the multi-turn magnetic sensor by obtaining measurements at nodes that are determined from values of previous measurements.