Abstract: A magnetoresistance element (e.g. a spin valve) for detecting a changing magnetic field includes a pinning layer, pinned layer adjacent to the pinning layer, a spacer layer adjacent to the pinned layer, and a free layer adjacent to the spacer layer and arranged so that the spacer layer is between the pinned layer and the free layer. The pinned layer has a bias with a bias direction configured to reduce an effect of a static field on the detection of the changing magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance element assembly has two stacks of material layers with respective reference layers and respective bias layers that have relative magnetic directions that are not perpendicular to each other. Bias layers in the two stacks have bias magnetic directions that oppose each other. Linear range is increased.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for s sensor having magnetic field sensing elements coupled in a differential bridge and a signal processor configured to receive signals from the bridge to determine a distance from the magnetic field sensing elements to a magnet from flux line divergence of magnetic flux generated by the magnet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a sensor system having a first magnetic field sensing element with first and second segments where the first and second segments are located at positions to generate magnetic field bias in opposite directions for reducing sensitivity due to misalignment of the first and second segments. A processing module is configured to receive an output of the magnetic field sensing element.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance element (e.g. a spin valve) for detecting a changing magnetic field includes a pinning layer, pinned layer adjacent to the pinning layer, a spacer layer adjacent to the pinned layer, and a free layer adjacent to the spacer layer and arranged so that the spacer layer is between the pinned layer and the free layer. The pinned layer has a bias with a bias direction configured to reduce an effect of a static field on the detection of the changing magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor can include a magnetic field sensor can include a substrate having a major surface in an x-y plane with an x axis and a y axis. The magnetic field sensor can also have an external field sensing circuit disposed upon the substrate and responsive to an external magnetic field generated outside of the magnetic field sensor. The external field sensing circuit can include one or more magnetoresistance elements, each having a respective reference layer with a magnetic direction parallel to the y axis and in the x-y plane. The one or more magnetoresistance elements can be operable to generate a magnetoresistance element signal responsive to the external magnetic field.

Abstract: A material stack includes a first magnetoresistance element with a first direction of response to an external magnetic field and a second magnetoresistance element with second direction of response to the external magnetic field, opposite to the first direction of response. The first magnetoresistance element can be disposed under or over the second magnetoresistance element. An insulating layer separates the first and second magnetoresistance elements.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for s sensor having magnetic field sensing elements coupled in a differential bridge and a signal processor configured to receive signals from the bridge to determine a distance from the magnetic field sensing elements to a magnet from flux line divergence of magnetic flux generated by the magnet.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor can include a substrate disposed in an x-y plane with x and y axes; one or more magnetoresistance elements, wherein magnetic directions of reference layers of each of the one or more magnetoresistance elements are parallel to the x axis; wherein the one or more magnetoresistance elements are operable to generate a magnetoresistance element signal; a first current conductor operable to generate a first AC magnetic field in an x-direction and a second current conductor operable to generate a second AC magnetic field in a y-direction; and a component determination circuit comprising at least two of: a first demodulator to demodulate the magnetoresistance element signal with a first clock signal with a first frequency, a second demodulator coupled to demodulate the magnetoresistance element signal with the first clock signal or with a second clock signal with a second frequency, or a low pass filter operable to filter the magnetoresistance element signal.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor can include a substrate disposed in an x-y plane with x and y axes; one or more magnetoresistance elements, wherein magnetic directions of reference layers of each of the one or more magnetoresistance elements are parallel to the x axis; wherein the one or more magnetoresistance elements are operable to generate a magnetoresistance element signal; a first current conductor operable to generate a first AC magnetic field in an x-direction and a second current conductor operable to generate a second AC magnetic field in a y-direction; and a component determination circuit comprising at least two of: a first demodulator to demodulate the magnetoresistance element signal with a first clock signal with a first frequency, a second demodulator coupled to demodulate the magnetoresistance element signal with the first clock signal or with a second clock signal with a second frequency, or a low pass filter operable to filter the magnetoresistance element signal.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor can include a magnetic field sensor can include a substrate having a major surface in an x-y plane with an x axis and a y axis. The magnetic field sensor can also have an external field sensing circuit disposed upon the substrate and responsive to an external magnetic field generated outside of the magnetic field sensor. The external field sensing circuit can include one or more magnetoresistance elements, each having a respective reference layer with a magnetic direction parallel to the y axis and in the x-y plane. The one or more magnetoresistance elements can be operable to generate a magnetoresistance element signal responsive to the external magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a substrate having a surface and a plurality of magnetoresistance elements supported by the surface of the substrate. Each magnetoresistance element has a respective width parallel to the surface, and each width may be a smallest dimension parallel to the surface. A first width of a first magnetoresistance element of the plurality of magnetoresistance elements may be different from a second width of a second magnetoresistance element of the plurality of magnetoresistance elements. A processing circuit may be coupled to the plurality of magnetoresistance elements to receive a signal representing a detected magnetic field from at least one of the magnetoresistance elements.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor can include a substrate, a first magnetoresistance element disposed over the substrate and including a first maximum response axis and a first bias layer structure configured to generate a first bias magnetic field with a first magnetic direction between ninety degrees and sixty degrees relative to the first maximum response axis. The magnetic field sensor can also include a second magnetoresistance element disposed over the substrate and including a second maximum response axis parallel to the first maximum response axis and a second bias layer structure configured to generate a second bias magnetic field with a second magnetic direction parallel to the first magnetic direction and opposed to the first magnetic direction. The first and second magnetoresistance elements can each have a pair of electrical contacts for coupling to circuits.

Abstract: A material stack includes a first magnetoresistance element with a first direction of response to an external magnetic field and a second magnetoresistance element with second direction of response to the external magnetic field, opposite to the first direction of response. The first magnetoresistance element can be disposed under or over the second magnetoresistance element. An insulating layer separates the first and second magnetoresistance elements.

Abstract: A magnetic field angle sensor is provided having two or more bridge structures of magnetoresistance elements, with each bridge structure configured to measure a projection of a magnetic field along a different axis such that an angle of direction of the magnetic field can be measured with greater accuracy. The angle sensor includes a first bridge structure configured to generate a first sinusoidal signal indicative of the magnetic field along a first axis and a first cosinusoidal signal indicative of the magnetic field along a second axis that is orthogonal with respect to the first axis and a second bridge structure configured to generate a second sinusoidal signal indicative of the magnetic field along a third axis and a second cosinusoidal signal indicative of the magnetic field along a fourth axis that is orthogonal with respect to the third axis, wherein an angle between the first axis and the third axis is a factor of 90°.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a magnetic field sensor for measuring movement of a target including a substrate and a magnet. A first bridge structure has first and second pluralities of magnetic field sensing elements spaced from each other. An axis of sensitivity of the magnetic field sensing elements is rotated at a predetermined angle with respect to an axis of rotation of the target to generate an output signal corresponding to the position of the target and a change in a property of the magnetic field generated by the magnet.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a substrate having a surface and a plurality of magnetoresistance elements supported by the surface of the substrate. Each magnetoresistance element has a respective width parallel to the surface, and each width may be a smallest dimension parallel to the surface. A first width of a first magnetoresistance element of the plurality of magnetoresistance elements may be different from a second width of a second magnetoresistance element of the plurality of magnetoresistance elements. A processing circuit may be coupled to the plurality of magnetoresistance elements to receive a signal representing a detected magnetic field from at least one of the magnetoresistance elements.

Abstract: A current sensor can indirectly measure a sensed current by directly measuring static perturbing AC magnetic fields with magnetoresistance elements, the perturbing magnetic fields generated by perturbing coils. The sensed current can be indirectly measured by modulating or changing sensitivities of the magnetoresistance elements in a way that is directly related to the sensed current.

Abstract: In one aspect, a magnetic field angle sensor includes a bridge structure that include a sine bridge configured to generate a sinusoidal signal indicative of a magnetic field along a first axis and a cosine bridge configured to generate a cosinusoidal signal indicative of the magnetic field along a second axis that is orthogonal with respect to the first axis. One of the sine bridge or the cosine bridge includes a first set of at least two magnetoresistance elements, a second set of at least one magnetoresistance element, a third set of at least one magnetoresistance element and a fourth set of at least one magnetoresistance element. An average reference direction of the first set of at least two magnetoresistance elements is equal to an average reference direction of the third set of at least one magnetoresistance element.

Abstract: A current sensor can indirectly measure a sensed current by directly measuring static perturbing AC magnetic fields with magnetoresistance elements, the perturbing magnetic fields generated by perturbing coils. The sensed current can be indirectly measured by modulating or changing sensitivities of the magnetoresistance elements in a way that is directly related to the sensed current.