Abstract: A method can use a current sensor that can include a magnetic flux concentrator along with first and second magnetic field sensing elements disposed proximate to the magnetic flux concentrator, wherein the magnetic flux concentrator is operable to influence a direction of first and second magnetic fields at the first and second magnetic field sensing elements, respectively, the first and second magnetic fields resulting from an electrical current passing through a conductor, the first and second magnetic field sensing elements operable to generate first and second signals, respectively, in response to the first and second magnetic fields, respectively, wherein the current sensor can also include a differencing circuit operable to subtract the first and second signals to generate a difference signal related to the electrical current.

Abstract: A current sensor system includes a plurality of conductors, each having a first major surface, a second major surface opposite the first major surface, and an aperture extending from the first major surface through a thickness of the conductor to the second major surface. Each of the plurality of conductors is configured to carry a current and wherein the apertures of each of the plurality of conductors are aligned with a common reference line. The current sensor system further includes a plurality of current sensors, each positioned at least partially in the aperture of a respective conductor and including one or more magnetic field sensing elements.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an orientation insensitive speed sensor. Magnetic field sensing elements can be located on a circle, for example, to generate first and second channel signals which can be combined to generate an output signal. The location of the magnetic field sensing elements reduces the effects of stray fields. Embodiments can include true power own state processing to determine target position during start up.

Abstract: A method can use a current sensor that can include a magnetic flux concentrator along with first and second magnetic field sensing elements disposed proximate to the magnetic flux concentrator, wherein the magnetic flux concentrator is operable to influence a direction of first and second magnetic fields at the first and second magnetic field sensing elements, respectively, the first and second magnetic fields resulting from an electrical current passing through a conductor, the first and second magnetic field sensing elements operable to generate first and second signals, respectively, in response to the first and second magnetic fields, respectively, wherein the current sensor can also include a differencing circuit operable to subtract the first and second signals to generate a difference signal related to the electrical current.

Abstract: A current sensor is provided with one or more magnetic field sensing elements configured to generate a magnetic field signal indicative of a magnitude of a sensed magnetic field, wherein the sensed magnetic field is related to a magnitude and frequency of a current through a conductor. A signal path is responsive to the magnetic field signal and includes a compensator configured to apply a compensation factor to the magnetic field signal to generate a sensor output signal indicative of the magnitude of the current and substantially independent of a frequency of the current. The sensed magnetic field is related to the magnitude of the current by a coupling factor and the signal path is responsive to a characterization of the coupling factor over a range of frequencies of the current in order to determine the compensation factor to be applied.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for positioning a magnetic field sensor IC package having a first channel for a planar magnetic field sensing element and a second channel for vertical magnetic field sensing element in relation to an axis of a ring magnet to provide a desired phase relationship between the first and second channels. In embodiments, positioning the sensor includes an offset angle and a displacement with respect to a centerline of the ring magnet.

Abstract: A current sensor is provided with one or more magnetic field sensing elements configured to generate a magnetic field signal indicative of a magnitude of a sensed magnetic field, wherein the sensed magnetic field is related to a magnitude and frequency of a current through a conductor. A signal path is responsive to the magnetic field signal and includes a compensator configured to apply a compensation factor to the magnetic field signal to generate a sensor output signal indicative of the magnitude of the current and substantially independent of a frequency of the current. The sensed magnetic field is related to the magnitude of the current by a coupling factor and the signal path is responsive to a characterization of the coupling factor over a range of frequencies of the current in order to determine the compensation factor to be applied.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide a current sensor system including a plurality of current sensors positioned proximate a plurality of conductors. Each conductor is configured to carry a current to be measured. Each current sensor comprises one or more magnetic field sensing elements configured to generate a respective magnetic field signal indicative of a detected magnetic field. The plurality of current sensors includes a first number of current sensors and the plurality of conductors includes a second number of conductors such that the first number is at least one more than the second number. A controller is coupled to receive the magnetic field signal from each of the current sensors and, for each magnetic field sensing element, is configured to characterize a magnetic coupling between the magnetic field sensing element and each of the plurality of conductors.

Abstract: A method can use a current sensor that can include a magnetic flux concentrator and a first magnetic field sensing element disposed proximate to the magnetic flux concentrator, the first magnetic field sensing element having a first maximum response axis, the first magnetic field sensing element operable to generate a first signal responsive to a first magnetic field proximate to the first magnetic field sensing element resulting from an electrical current passing through a conductor, wherein the magnetic flux concentrator is operable to influence a direction of the first magnetic field.

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 magnetic field sensor for determining a position of a magnet, the position identified by one or more position variables can include: one or more magnetic field sensing element operable to generate one or more magnetic field measurements of the magnet and an associated one or more measured magnetic field variable values; a first module for identifying calculated magnetic field variable values associated with a plurality of positions of the magnet; a second module operable to perform an optimization process to determine a value of a distance function, the distance function using the one or more measured magnetic field variable values and the calculated magnetic field variable values; and a third module operable to determine the position of the magnet by associating the value of the distance function with corresponding values of the one or more position variables. A complimentary method can be used in the magnetic field sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a back bias magnet to generate a DC magnetic field. First and second magnetic field sensing elements of the magnetic field sensor are disposed proximate to at least one ferromagnetic surface of a ferromagnetic target object. The first and second magnetic field sensing elements generate first and second electronic signals, respectively, in response to first and second sensed magnetic fields corresponding to the DC magnetic field but influenced by the at least one ferromagnetic surface. The magnetic field sensor generates a difference signal that is a difference of amplitudes of the first and second electronic signals. The difference signal is indicative of a rotation measurement of an absolute relative rotation of the ferromagnetic target object and the magnetic field sensor about a rotation axis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide a current sensor system including a plurality of current sensors positioned proximate a plurality of conductors. Each conductor is configured to carry a current to be measured. Each current sensor comprises one or more magnetic field sensing elements configured to generate a respective magnetic field signal indicative of a detected magnetic field. The plurality of current sensors includes a first number of current sensors and the plurality of conductors includes a second number of conductors such that the first number is at least one more than the second number. A controller is coupled to receive the magnetic field signal from each of the current sensors and, for each magnetic field sensing element, is configured to characterize a magnetic coupling between the magnetic field sensing element and each of the plurality of conductors.

Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods for determining a position of a gear shift lever of a vehicle. A ferromagnetic target object having selected characteristics influences a magnetic field generated by a back bias magnet. A magnetic field sensor includes magnetic field sensing elements disposed proximate to the target object. Each magnetic field sensing element generates an electronic signal in response to sensed magnetic fields. The gear shift lever moves among a plurality of gears of the vehicle. The magnetic field sensor selects a set of the magnetic field sensing elements to determine a magnetic field difference based on a difference of amplitudes between the electronic signals that is related to a current position of the gear shift lever. Characteristics of the target object enable the magnetic field sensor to detect the position of the gear shift lever. The characteristics include edges proximate to a perimeter of the target object.

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: An assembly has a base structure, a rotatable structure, a first magnet coupled to the base structure, a second magnet coupled to the rotatable structure, and a magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor can identify at least one condition (i.e., position) of the assembly.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for determining a position of a magnet, the position identified by one or more position variables can include: one or more magnetic field sensing element operable to generate one or more magnetic field measurements of the magnet and an associated one or more measured magnetic field variable values; a first module for identifying calculated magnetic field variable values associated with a plurality of positions of the magnet; a second module operable to perform an optimization process to determine a value of a distance function, the distance function using the one or more measured magnetic field variable values and the calculated magnetic field variable values; and a third module operable to determine the position of the magnet by associating the value of the distance function with corresponding values of the one or more position variables. A complimentary method can be used in the magnetic field sensor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for positioning a magnetic field sensor IC package having a first channel for a planar magnetic field sensing element and a second channel for vertical magnetic field sensing element in relation to an axis of a ring magnet to provide a desired phase relationship between the first and second channels. In embodiments, positioning the sensor includes an offset angle and a displacement with respect to a centerline of the ring magnet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for positioning a magnetic field sensor IC package having a first channel for a planar magnetic field sensing element and a second channel for vertical magnetic field sensing element in relation to an axis of a ring magnet to provide a desired phase relationship between the first and second channels. In embodiments, positioning the sensor includes an offset angle and a displacement with respect to a centerline of the ring magnet.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a back bias magnet to generate a DC magnetic field. First and second magnetic field sensing elements of the magnetic field sensor are disposed proximate to at least one ferromagnetic surface of a ferromagnetic target object. The first and second magnetic field sensing elements generate first and second electronic signals, respectively, in response to first and second sensed magnetic fields corresponding to the DC magnetic field but influenced by the at least one ferromagnetic surface. The magnetic field sensor generates a difference signal that is a difference of amplitudes of the first and second electronic signals. The difference signal is indicative of a rotation measurement of an absolute relative rotation of the ferromagnetic target object and the magnetic field sensor about a rotation axis.