Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a plurality of magnetoresistance elements, each having at least one characteristic selected to provide a respective, different response to an applied magnetic field, wherein each of the plurality of magnetoresistance elements is coupled in parallel. Illustrative characteristics selected to provide the respective responses include dimensions and/or construction parameters such as materials, layer thickness and order, and spatial relationship of the magnetoresistance element to the applied magnetic field. A method includes providing each of a plurality of magnetoresistance elements with at least one characteristic selected to provide a respective, different response to an applied magnetic field, wherein each of the plurality of magnetoresistance elements is coupled in parallel.

Abstract: A joystick assembly for use with a device including a joystick surface and a first magnet having north and south magnetic poles includes a second magnet having north and south magnetic poles and a movable elongated shaft having first and second opposing ends arranged along a major axis of the shaft. The first end of the shaft is coupled to the second magnet such that movement of the shaft results in movement of the second magnet relative to the first magnet such that a line between centers of the north and south magnetic poles of the second magnet is movable relative to a line between the north and south magnetic poles of the first magnet. An attraction of the second magnet to the first magnet results in a restoring force upon the shaft, and the shaft and the second magnet are removable from the joystick surface.

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: An integrated circuit package includes a lead frame having a first surface, a second opposing surface, at least one die attach portion configured to support at least one die, and a plurality of leads, wherein at least one of the leads has a raised feature extending along a portion of a length of the lead.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for sensing motion of a ferromagnetic object comprises a substrate. The substrate includes first and second major surfaces, each having a width dimension and a length dimension. The magnetic field sensor further comprises a magnet. The magnet includes a first major surface proximate to the substrate, the first major surface of the magnet heaving a width and a length, and a second major surface. The magnetic field sensor further includes first and second magnetic field sensing dements. The first magnetic field sensing element and the second magnetic field sensing element are positioned beyond respective ends of the width of the magnet. The second magnetic field sensing element is substantially farther from the ferromagnetic object than the first magnetic field sensing element. A line passing through the first and second magnetic field sensing elements is perpendicular to the magnet axis.

Abstract: A joystick assembly for use with a device including a joystick surface and a first magnet having north and south magnetic poles includes a second magnet having north and south magnetic poles and a movable elongated shaft having first and second opposing ends arranged along a major axis of the shaft. The first end of the shaft is coupled to the second magnet such that movement of the shaft results in movement of the second magnet relative to the first magnet such that a line between centers of the north and south magnetic poles of the second magnet is movable relative to a line between the north and south magnetic poles of the first magnet. An attraction of the second magnet to the first magnet results in a restoring force upon the shaft, and the shaft and the second magnet are removable from the joystick surface.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a lead frame, a semiconductor die supporting a magnetic field sensing element, a non-conductive mold material enclosing the die and a portion of the lead frame, a ferromagnetic mold material secured to the non-conductive mold material and a securing mechanism to securely engage the mold materials. The ferromagnetic mold material may comprise a soft ferromagnetic material to form a concentrator or a hard ferromagnetic material to form a bias magnet. The ferromagnetic mold material may be tapered and includes a non-contiguous central region, as may be an aperture or may contain the non-conductive mold material or an overmold material. Further embodiments include die up, lead on chip, and flip-chip arrangements, wafer level techniques to form the concentrator or bias magnet, integrated components, such as capacitors, on the lead frame, and a bias magnet with one or more channels to facilitate overmolding.

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. An electromagnetic suppressor comprising a ferromagnetic material encloses a passive device spaced from the non-conductive mold material and coupled to a plurality of leads.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a signal isolator having a dielectric interposer supporting first and second die each having a magnetic field sensing element. A first signal path extends from the first die to the second die and a second signal path extends from the second die to the first die. In embodiments, the first signal path is located in the interposer and includes a first coil to generate a magnetic field and the second signal path is located in the interposer and includes a second coil to generate a magnetic filed. The first coil is located in relation to the second magnetic field sensing element of the second die and the second coil is located in relation to the first magnetic field sensing element of the first die.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a magnetic sensor including an elliptical magnet to generate substantially circular concentric zones of similar flux density in a plane over and parallel to a surface of the magnet. The sensor can include a sensing element disposed a selected distance from the magnet and a substrate containing circuitry to process a signal from the sensing element to provide a sensor output.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a lead frame, a passive component, semiconductor die supporting a magnetic field sensing element and attached to the lead frame, a non-conductive mold material enclosing the die and at least a portion of the lead frame, and a ferromagnetic mold material secured to a portion of the non-conductive mold material. The lead frame has a recessed region and the passive component is positioned in the recessed region. The ferromagnetic mold material may comprise a soft ferromagnetic material to form a concentrator or a hard ferromagnetic material to form a bias magnet.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor has a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements and operates as a motion detector for sensing a rotation or other movement of a target object.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a plurality of magnetoresistance elements, each having at least one characteristic selected to provide a respective, different response to an applied magnetic field, wherein each of the plurality of magnetoresistance elements is coupled in parallel. Illustrative characteristics selected to provide the respective responses include dimensions and/or construction parameters such as materials, layer thickness and order, and spatial relationship of the magnetoresistance element to the applied magnetic field. A method includes providing each of a plurality of magnetoresistance elements with at least one characteristic selected to provide a respective, different response to an applied magnetic field, wherein each of the plurality of magnetoresistance elements is coupled in parallel.

Abstract: In one aspect, a Hall Effect sensing element includes a Hall plate having a thickness less than about 100 nanometers an adhesion layer directly in contact with the Hall plate and having a thickness in a range about 0.1 nanometers to 5 nanometers. In another aspect, a sensor includes a Hall Effect sensing element. The Hall Effect sensing element includes a substrate that includes one of a semiconductor material or an insulator material, an insulation layer in direct contact with the substrate, an adhesion layer having a thickness in a range of about 0.1 nanometers to 5 nanometers and in direct contact with the insulation layer and a Hall plate in direct contact with the adhesion layer and having a thickness less than about 100 nanometers.

Abstract: The concepts, systems, circuits and techniques described herein are directed toward sensing a voltage transient within a magnetic field sensor integrated circuit, such as a current sensor. A magnetic field sensor integrated circuit includes a substrate having a first surface and a second opposing surface, at least one magnetic field sensing element supported by a first surface of the substrate, an electromagnetic shield layer disposed on a shielded region of the first surface of the substrate adjacent to an unshielded region of the first surface of the substrate and an electrode disposed in the unshielded region of the first surface of the substrate and configured to permit detection of the voltage transient. In some embodiments, the shielded region and/or the electrode can be omitted.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a package, a plurality of external connections extending outside the package, and a first die having a first electrical contact coupled to a first connection of the plurality of external connections. The apparatus also includes a second die having a second electrical contact coupled to a second connection of the plurality of external connections. A conductor is electrically coupled between the first contact and the second contact to allow electrostatic discharge current to flow between the first die to the second die.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a magnetic field include a semiconductor substrate, a coil configured to provide a changing magnetic field in response to a changing current in the coil; and a magnetic field sensing element supported by the substrate. The coil receives the changing current and, in response, generates a changing magnetic field. The magnetic field sensing element detects the presence of a magnetic target by detecting changes to the magnetic field caused by the target and comparing them to an expected value.

Abstract: A joystick assembly for use with a device including a joystick surface and a first magnet having north and south magnetic poles includes a second magnet having north and south magnetic poles and a movable elongated shaft having first and second opposing ends arranged along a major axis of the shaft. The first end of the shaft is coupled to the second magnet such that movement of the shaft results in movement of the second magnet relative to the first magnet such that a line between centers of the north and south magnetic poles of the second magnet is movable relative to a line between the north and south magnetic poles of the first magnet. An attraction of the second magnet to the first magnet results in a restoring force upon the shaft, and the shaft and the second magnet are removable from the joystick surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a magnetic field include a semiconductor substrate, a coil configured to provide a changing magnetic field in response to a changing current in the coil; and a magnetic field sensing element supported by the substrate. The coil receives the changing current and, in response, generates a changing magnetic field. The magnetic field sensing element detects the presence of a magnetic target by detecting changes to the magnetic field caused by the target and comparing them to an expected value.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a plurality of magnetoresistance elements, each having at least one characteristic selected to provide a respective, different response to an applied magnetic field, wherein each of the plurality of magnetoresistance elements is coupled in parallel. Illustrative characteristics selected to provide the respective responses include dimensions and/or construction parameters such as materials, layer thickness and order, and spatial relationship of the magnetoresistance element to the applied magnetic field. A method includes providing each of a plurality of magnetoresistance elements with at least one characteristic selected to provide a respective, different response to an applied magnetic field, wherein each of the plurality of magnetoresistance elements is coupled in parallel.