Abstract: Magnetic field sensor and related techniques can identify passing conditions, failing conditions, and marginal conditions of a sensed object. The magnetic field sensor and techniques can use one or more peak values of a proximity signal representative of proximity of the object, DC offset values of the proximity signal, or threshold values related to an amplitude of a signal representative of the proximity signal to identify the conditions.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor can provide an output signal indicative of a passing condition or a failing condition of the magnetic field sensor. The output signal has one of a variety of output signal formats.

Abstract: Presented herein is a magnetic field sensor architecture that uses outputs of a peak detector and threshold detector operating in parallel to detect magnetic anomalies that may be associated with the target being sensed, e.g., a rotational ferromagnetic object such as a toothed gear, and use such detection to prevent sensor malfunction. The sensor includes an edge detection circuit and an error detection circuit. In one embodiment, the edge detection circuit includes circuits to detect edges (or transitions) of the threshold and peak detector output signals and the error detection circuit includes circuits, responsive to the edge detection circuit, to indicate an error when a “missed transition” occurs or a peak-to-peak value of an input signal as detected by the peak detector for a current cycle differs from an expected peak-to-peak value by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A sensor with multiple magnetic field sensing elements for use in current sensing and other applications is presented. The sensor includes an arrangement of two or more magnetic field sensing elements to sense magnetic field associated with a target. The sensor further includes circuitry to generate a sensor output signal based on sensing of at least one of the magnetic field sensing elements of the arrangement. Also included is a programmable misalignment adjustment block to control the circuitry to generate the output signal with compensation for misalignment between the sensor and the target. The programmable misalignment adjustment block can be programmed to select measurement of one of the two or more magnetic field sensing elements, or alternatively, a mathematical combination of measurements of the two or more magnetic field sensing elements, for generating the sensor output signal when a test of the sensor indicates a misalignment.

Abstract: A sensor with multiple magnetic field sensing elements for use in current sensing and other applications is presented. In one configuration, the sensor can obtain differential and absolute current measurements of current in current-carrying conductors. When employed in a ground fault interrupter (GFI) application, a first magnetic field sensing element can be used to measure the absolute current flowing in the phase conductor (phase current), a second magnetic field sensing element can be used to measure the absolute current flowing in the neutral conductor (neutral current) and a difference between the phase and neutral currents can be measured by a third magnetic field sensing element or determined from measurements of the first and second magnetic field sensing elements. In another configuration, the sensor can obtain a measure of the difference between currents and/or the sum of currents in current-carrying conductors.

Abstract: An angle sensor to provide sensor-to-magnet misalignment detection and correction capability in rotation angle measurement applications is presented. The angle sensor has magnetic field sensing elements to sense magnetic field associated with a rotating magnet. The angle sensor includes circuitry to generate signals based on the sensing by the sensing elements. The signals provide information that can be combined according to an error function to provide misalignment detection. The angle sensor can be used with or can be incorporated in an angle measurement device that employs a processing unit to produce a rotation angle value. In one embodiment, the processing unit is configured to implement the error function and correct the angle value for detected misalignment. In another embodiment, the error function is performed by a programming device and detected misalignment is corrected through mechanical adjustment of sensor-to-magnet position.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a lead frame, a semiconductor die having a first surface in which a magnetic field sensing element is disposed and a second surface attached to the lead frame, and a non-conductive mold material enclosing the die and at least a portion of the lead frame. The sensor may include a ferromagnetic mold material secured to a portion of the non-conductive mold material. Features include a multi-sloped taper to an inner surface of a non-contiguous central region of the ferromagnetic mold material, a separately formed element disposed in the non-contiguous central region, one or more slots in the lead frame, a molded ferromagnetic suppression device spaced from the non-conductive mold material and enclosing a portion of a lead, a passive device spaced from the non-conductive mold material and coupled to a plurality of leads, and a ferromagnetic bead coupled to a lead.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a lead frame having a plurality of leads, at least two of which have a connection portion and a die attach portion. A semiconductor die is attached to the die attach portion of the at least two leads. In some embodiments, at least one passive component is attached to the die attach portion of at least two leads.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an integrated circuit that includes a supply voltage transient detection module to activate a hold signal that causes the output to remain in its present state. In one embodiment, the output remains in that state until the supply voltage returns to a normal operating range and the hold signal transitions to an inactive state.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes built in self-test circuits that allow a self-test of most of, or all of, the circuitry of the magnetic field sensor, including self-test of a magnetic field sensing element used within the magnetic field sensor, while the magnetic field sensor is functioning in normal operation.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes built in self-test circuits that allow a self-test of most of, or all of, the circuitry of the magnetic field sensor, including self-test of a magnetic field sensing element used within the magnetic field sensor, while the magnetic field sensor is functioning in normal operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a passing magnetic article includes a peak detector providing a detector output signal that changes state when the magnetic field signal differs from a magnetic field tracking signal by more than a threshold offset amount. The threshold offset amount is dynamically variable in response to detection of a speed of rotation of the magnetic article and a peak-to-peak signal level of the magnetic field signal.

Abstract: A magnetic field has a threshold that adapts in relation to a magnitude of a magnetic field signal representative of a movement of an object. A corresponding method adapts a threshold in relation to a magnitude of a magnetic field signal representative of a movement of an object.

Abstract: A sensor responsive to movement of a detection target includes a magnetic field transducer operative to provide a magnetic field signal proportional to a magnetic field associated with the detection target, a peak detector for tracking positive and negative peaks of the magnetic field signal to generate a tracking signal, and a comparator having a first input responsive to the magnetic field signal, a second input responsive to an input signal related to the tracking signal, and an output at which is provided an output signal comprising first pulses having a first pulse width when the detection target moves in a first direction and second pulses having a second pulse width when the detection target moves in a second direction.

Abstract: A magnetic field has a threshold that adapts in relation to a magnitude of a magnetic field signal representative of a movement of an object. A corresponding method adapts a threshold in relation to a magnitude of a magnetic field signal representative of a movement of an object.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a sensor for providing a sensor output signal and a diagnostic circuit coupled to the sensor for providing a self-diagnostic signal. The self-diagnostic signal comprises the sensor output signal during a first time duration and an inverted sensor output signal during a second different time duration.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a passing magnetic article includes a peak detector providing a detector output signal that changes state when the magnetic field signal differs from a magnetic field tracking signal by more than a threshold offset amount. The threshold offset amount is dynamically variable in response to detection of a speed of rotation of the magnetic article and a peak-to-peak signal level of the magnetic field signal.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes built in self-test circuits that allow a self-test of most of, or all of, the circuitry of the magnetic field sensor, including self-test of a magnetic field sensing element used within the magnetic field sensor, while the magnetic field sensor is functioning in normal operation.

Abstract: A sensor responsive to movement of a detection target includes a magnetic field transducer operative to provide a magnetic field signal proportional to a magnetic field associated with the detection target, a peak detector for tracking positive and negative peaks of the magnetic field signal to generate a tracking signal, and a comparator having a first input responsive to the magnetic field signal, a second input responsive to an input signal related to the tracking signal, and an output at which is provided an output signal comprising first pulses having a first pulse width when the detection target moves in a first direction and second pulses having a second pulse width when the detection target moves in a second direction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a sensor to provide a sensor output, an integrated circuit module formed at least partially on a substrate to receive the sensor output and provide an IC output signal, an output circuit having a voltage input to receive a voltage supply signal via a switch element and a signal input to receive the IC output signal and an output to provide a voltage output signal, and an integrated power storage element coupled to the voltage input of the output circuit to provide power during an interruption of the voltage supply signal, wherein the power storage element includes at least one layer generally parallel to the substrate.