Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor comprising first and second magnetoresistive elements is disclosed. Each magnetoresistive element is coupled at a respective first end to a common ground terminal and comprises one or more magnetoresistive segments, each overlying a corresponding segment of an excitation coil. The resistance of the magnetoresistive segments in each of the first and second magnetoresistive elements is the same and the resistance of the segments of the excitation coil corresponding to the first magnetoresistive element is the same as the resistance of the segments of the excitation coil corresponding to the second magnetoresistive element.

Abstract: A sensor circuit is configured and operated in the presence of interference. In connection with various example embodiments, a stray magnetic field is sensed with current sensors that also respectively sense current-induced magnetic fields generated by current flowing in opposing directions through different portions of a conductor. The current-induced magnetic fields and the stray magnetic field are coplanar, and the current sensors are arranged such that a portion of the output from each current sensor corresponding to the stray magnetic field is canceled when the sensor outputs are combined.

Abstract: A magnetic sensing system, including: a magnetic component proximate a movable mechanical component; and a magnetic sensor configured to determine a movement of the mechanical component based on a magnetic field produced by the magnetic component. The magnetic sensor includes: a low-offset magnetic sensing element; a high-sensitivity magnetic sensing element; and an offset compensation circuit configured to: determine a zero-crossing of a sensing field from an output of the low-offset magnetic sensing element; sample an offset value of the high-sensitivity magnetic sensing element at the zero-crossing; and subtract the offset value from an output of the high-sensitivity magnetic sensing element.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive angular sensor and sensing method, in which an external magnetic field generator is used to provide a first mode in which a dc external magnetic field is provided in a predetermined direction and which dominates over the magnetic field generated by the input device being sensed. In a second mode, the external magnetic field is smaller. The angular sensor arrangement outputs from the two modes are combined, and this enables the input device angular orientation to be determined with offset voltage compensation.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive angular sensing method is disclosed. In a first mode, a first dc external magnetic field in a predetermined direction is applied to an angular sensor arrangement in which the external magnetic field dominates over a magnetic field generated by an input device an angular position of which is to be sensed. In a second mode, a second external magnetic field is applied to the angular sensor. Outputs of the angular sensor arrangement in the two modes are processed to determine an angular orientation of the input device with offset voltage compensation.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor assembly for measuring an angular direction of a sensed magnetic field relative to the assembly is disclosed. The sensor assembly includes a sensor of a first type configured to sense an orientation of the sensed magnetic field, a sensor of a second type configured to measure an orientation and a direction of the sensed magnetic field and processing circuitry connected to each of the magnetic field sensors. The processing circuitry being configured to process output signals from the sensor of the first type to determine an uncorrected sensed magnetic field angle and to apply an offset angle to the uncorrected magnetic field angle dependent on a logical combination of signs of output signals from the sensors of the first and second types.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor arrangement for determining information indicative of characteristics of a mechanical component has a first magnetic sensor to sense a signal associated with a periodic changing magnetic field generated by relative movement of the mechanical component and the magnetic sensor arrangement, a second magnetic sensor to sense that signal, wherein the first sensor is arranged a fixed distance from the second sensor, and a determination unit coupled to the first and second sensors to receive output signals of the first and second sensors. The output signal of the first sensor is phase-shifted to the output signal of the second sensor, to compare the output signals for determining the absolute phase of the signal associated with the periodic changing magnetic field, and to determine information indicative of characteristics of the mechanical component based on the determined absolute phase of the signal associated with the periodic changing magnetic field.

Abstract: An AMR sensor, comprises at least first and second AMR sensor elements to which opposite bias fields are applied. The first and second AMR sensor element outputs are combined to derive a sensor response which is substantially anti-symmetric in the region close to zero external magnetic field. This arrangement shifts the zero detection point of the AMR sensor elements away from a maximum of the response curve, so that sensitivity in proximity to a zero input field is obtained. To overcome the problem that the response is not anti-symmetric, the signals from (at least) two sensor elements are combined.

Abstract: A read out circuit for a sensor uses a feedback loop to bias the sensor to a desired operating point, such as the maximal possible sensitivity, but without the problem of an instable sensor position as known for the conventional read-out with constant charge. The reference bias to which the circuit is controlled is also varied using feedback control, but with a slower response than the main bias control feedback loop.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit for converting an analog input signal into a digital code (b1-bN), comprising a delay circuit adapted to generate a periodical signal having a delay as a function of the analog input signal value; and a quantization stage for converting the delayed periodical signal into the digital code. The circuit converts an analog voltage or current into the time-domain, thus facilitating the implementation of high-speed analog-to-digital converters into submicron technologies, in particular CMOS technologies. A method of converting an analog input signal into a digital code (b1-bN) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor amplifier circuit comprising: a capacitive sensor; a bias voltage supply connected across the capacitive sensor via a bias resistor; an operational amplifier having an input connected to the capacitive sensor; and a feedback capacitor connected between the input and an output of the amplifier, the input and output being of the same sign.

Abstract: A sensor circuit is configured and operated in the presence of interference. In connection with various example embodiments, a stray magnetic field is sensed with current sensors that also respectively sense current-induced magnetic fields generated by current flowing in opposing directions through different portions of a conductor. The current-induced magnetic fields and the stray magnetic field are coplanar, and the current sensors are arranged such that a portion of the output from each current sensor corresponding to the stray magnetic field is canceled when the sensor outputs are combined.

Abstract: A sensor circuit is configured for operation under conditions susceptible to misalignment or movement. In connection with various example embodiments, an alignment-tolerant sensor arrangement includes a reference component and first and second magnetic sensors. The reference component influences a magnetic field as a function of a position of the reference component, such as via the positioning of a magnetic type of component. The first magnetic sensor is aligned with a first magnetic field sensitivity direction, and exhibits an electrical response to the presence of the magnetic field. The second magnetic sensor is aligned with a first magnetic field sensitivity direction and is configured to exhibit an electrical response to the presence of the magnetic field. The first and second magnetic field sensitivity directions being offset from one another to facilitate detection of magnetic fields at different relative alignments between the reference component and the first and second magnetic sensors.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor comprising first and second magnetoresistive elements is disclosed. Each magnetoresistive element is coupled at a respective first end to a common ground terminal and comprises one or more magnetoresistive segments, each overlying a corresponding segment of an excitation coil. The resistance of the magnetoresistive segments in each of the first and second magnetoresistive elements is the same and the resistance of the segments of the excitation coil corresponding to the first magnetoresistive element is the same as the resistance of the segments of the excitation coil corresponding to the second magnetoresistive element.

Abstract: An AMR sensor, comprises at least first and second AMR sensor elements to which opposite bias fields are applied. The first and second AMR sensor element outputs are combined to derive a sensor response which is substantially anti-symmetric in the region close to zero external magnetic field. This arrangement shifts the zero detection point of the AMR sensor elements away from a maximum of the response curve, so that sensitivity in proximity to a zero input field is obtained. To overcome the problem that the response is not anti-symmetric, the signals from (at least) two sensor elements are combined.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive angular sensor and sensing method, in which an external magnetic field generator is used to provide a first mode in which a dc external magnetic field is provided in a predetermined direction and which dominates over the magnetic field generated by the input device being sensed. In a second mode, the external magnetic field is smaller. The angular sensor arrangement outputs from the two modes are combined, and this enables the input device angular orientation to be determined with offset voltage compensation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit for converting an analog input signal (100) into a digital code (b1-bN), comprising a delay circuit (230) adapted to generate a periodical signal (CLK) having a delay as a function of the analog input signal value; and a quantization stage (205) for converting the delayed periodical signal (232) into the digital code. The circuit converts an analog voltage or current into the time-domain, thus facilitating the implementation of high-speed analog-to-digital converters into submicron technologies, in particular CMOS technologies. A method of converting an analog input signal (100) into a digital code (b1-bN) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor amplifier circuit comprising: a capacitive sensor; a bias voltage supply connected across the capacitive sensor via a bias resistor; an operational amplifier having an input connected to the capacitive sensor; and a feedback capacitor connected between the input and an output of the amplifier, the input and output being of the same sign.