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: 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: A magnetic field sensor operates as a motion detector for sensing a movement of a ferromagnetic target object having features. The magnetic field sensor has a plurality of magnetoresistance elements to generate, in a first channel, a feature signal indicative of a proximity of a feature of a ferromagnetic target object and, in a second channel, an edge signal indicative of a proximity of an edge of a feature of a ferromagnetic target object.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for a detecting a magnetic target that reduce output signal jitter are disclosed. A system includes a magnetic target. The magnetic target has a plurality of regions having juxtaposed edges and opposing ends. Adjacent ones of the plurality of regions have different magnetic polarities. The magnetic target includes a first magnetic strip, having a first magnetic polarity disposed at one end of the regions, and a second magnetic strip having a second magnetic polarity opposite to the first magnetic polarity disposed at a second end of the regions to generate a magnetic bias across at least a portion of the regions. The system includes at least one magnetic field sensing element placed in proximity to the magnetic target and configured to produce an output signal responsive to the magnetic target.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a magnetic target include a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements arranged about a central point. Each one of the plurality of magnetic field sensing elements is configured to measure a magnetic field produced by a magnetic target and provide a respective output signal that represents a respective measurement of a strength of the magnetic field. A processor circuit is coupled to receive the output signal from each one of the plurality of magnetic field sensing elements and determine a barycenter of the measurements of the magnetic field based on a position of the magnetic field sensing elements.

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 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: A magnetic field sensor with a magnet is disposed proximate to a ferromagnetic target object having at least one ferromagnetic surface. The magnetic field sensor is operable to sense a relative location between the magnetic field sensor and the ferromagnetic target object along a movement line. In some embodiments, the target object is also spinning about a rotation axis parallel to the movement line. A corresponding method is described.

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 method of taking a plurality of measurements of the magnetic field using the plurality of sensors; includes assessing the inductive magnetic excitation; and determining the likely distribution of magnetic sources on the surface of the hull by resolving a system of equations derived from modeling the physical phenomena at play, on the basis of the plurality of measurements taken and the assessed inductive magnetic excitation. The model describes the induced magnetic sources as a distribution of dipolar sources and the remanent magnetic sources as a distribution of monopolar sources. A device (6) for determining the magnetization of the hull of a ship for implementing the method is also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a magnetic target include a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements arranged about a central point. Each one of the plurality of magnetic field sensing elements is configured to measure a magnetic field produced by a magnetic target and provide a respective output signal that represents a respective measurement of a strength of the magnetic field. A processor circuit is coupled to receive the output signal from each one of the plurality of magnetic field sensing elements and determine a barycenter of the measurements of the magnetic field based on a position of the magnetic field sensing elements.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor operates as a motion detector for sensing a movement of a ferromagnetic target object having features. The magnetic field sensor has a plurality of magnetoresistance elements to generate, in a first channel, a feature signal indicative of a proximity of a feature of a ferromagnetic target object and, in a second channel, an edge signal indicative of a proximity of an edge of a feature of a ferromagnetic target object.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the fabrication, on a plane substrate, of a microswitch actuatable by a magnetic field, comprising: a) the etching, in the upper face of the plane substrate, of cavities forming a hollow model of two strips, these cavities having vertical flanks extending perpendicularly to the plane of the substrate to form vertical faces of the strips, b) the filling of the cavities by a magnetic material to form the strips, then c) the etching in the substrate, by a method of isotropic etching, of a well that extends between the vertical faces of the strips and beneath and around one distal end of at least one of the strips to open out an air gap between these strips and make this distal end capable of being shifted between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for a detecting a magnetic target that reduce output signal jitter are disclosed. A system includes a magnetic target. The magnetic target has a plurality of regions having juxtaposed edges and opposing ends. Adjacent ones of the plurality of regions have different magnetic polarities. The magnetic target includes a first magnetic strip, having a first magnetic polarity disposed at one end of the regions, and a second magnetic strip having a second magnetic polarity opposite to the first magnetic polarity disposed at a second end of the regions to generate a magnetic bias across at least a portion of the regions. The system includes at least one magnetic field sensing element placed in proximity to the magnetic target and configured to produce an output signal responsive to the magnetic target.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor with a magnet is disposed proximate to a ferromagnetic target object having at least one ferromagnetic surface. The magnetic field sensor is operable to sense a relative location between the magnetic field sensor and the ferromagnetic target object along a movement line. In some embodiments, the target object is also spinning about a rotation axis parallel to the movement line. A corresponding method is described.

Abstract: A magnetically actuatable contactor has first and second magnetic material strips extending longitudinally. Each has a pad with a contact face parallel to the longitudinal direction. The pads face each other when an intersection of the one contact face and a projection in a transversal direction of the other contact face forms an overlap zone having a surface area. A pad is capable of being transversally shifted in response to a magnetic field between closed and opened positions. In closed position and open positions, the faces and respectively in contact and separated. At least one strip forms pairs of facing pads disposed consecutively along the longitudinal direction. A bridge links two consecutive pads. A cross-section of the bridge is reduced relative to a cross-section of the pads and a surface area of a smallest cross-section of the bridge.

Abstract: A method of taking a plurality of measurements of the magnetic field using the plurality of sensors; includes assessing the inductive magnetic excitation; and determining the likely distribution of magnetic sources on the surface of the hull by resolving a system of equations derived from modeling the physical phenomena at play, on the basis of the plurality of measurements taken and the assessed inductive magnetic excitation. The model describes the induced magnetic sources as a distribution of dipolar sources and the remanent magnetic sources as a distribution of monopolar sources. A device (6) for determining the magnetization of the hull of a ship for implementing the method is also described.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a contactor actuatable by a magnetic field wherein: first and second strips comprise pads forming several pairs of pads P1i, P2i facing each other, immediately consecutive along the longitudinal direction, and each strip comprises at least one bridge Ptji, each bridge mechanically and directly linking two immediately consecutive pads Pji, Pj,i+1 of a same strip, the cross-section of this bridge Ptji being reduced as compared with the cross-section of the pads Pji et Pj,i+1, and the surface area SPtji of the smallest cross-section of the bridge Ptji verifying the following relationship: 0<SPtji<?SZi, where SZi is the surface area of an overlap zone between the contact faces of a pair of pads P1i, P2i, j is an index identifying the strip and i is an index identifying the pad of this strip.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the fabrication, on a plane substrate, of a microswitch actuatable by a magnetic field, comprising: a) the etching, in the upper face of the plane substrate, of cavities forming a hollow model of two strips, these cavities having vertical flanks extending perpendicularly to the plane of the substrate to form vertical faces of the strips, b) the filling of the cavities by a magnetic material to form the strips, then c) the etching in the substrate, by a method of isotropic etching, of a well that extends between the vertical faces of the strips and beneath and around one distal end of at least one of the strips to open out an air gap between these strips and make this distal end capable of being shifted between a closed position and an open position.