Abstract: A sensor is provided with a magnetic detection element that can output an output voltage within a predetermined voltage range according to a magnetic field intensity, an output voltage fixing part that can fix a voltage value of the output voltage to a voltage value outside the voltage range, and a drive voltage output part that can output a drive voltage for driving the output voltage fixing part. The drive voltage fixing part outputs the drive voltage to the output voltage fixing part when the ambient temperature of the drive voltage output part exceeds a predetermined threshold, and when triggered by input of the drive voltage, the output voltage fixing part fixes the voltage value of the output voltage to a voltage value outside the voltage range.

Abstract: A structure having collocated magnetic field sensing elements can be used to simultaneously determine magnetic field and mechanical stress. A primary magnetic field sensing element generates a primary signal responsive to a magnetic field and a secondary magnetic field sensing element generates a secondary signal responsive to mechanical stress. A system includes a stress compensation module to receive the primary and signals, and to compensate for mechanical stress in the primary signal.

Abstract: The systems and methods described can reduce high order temperature coefficients on the Hall plate sensitivity. A temperature coefficient circuit may include a first amplifier to receive a first reference voltage generated in conjunction with a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) device and a second amplifier to receive a second reference voltage generated in conjunction with a complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) device, the second amplifier having a second output node. A plurality of resistors may be disposed in a signal path between output node of the first amplifier and an output node of the second amplifier. The plurality of resistors may be coupled to at least one voltage-to-current converter through one or more resistors taps. The voltage-to-current converter may generate at least one current signal that can be operable to apply a multiplication factor or a division divisor to an amplifier coupled to the voltage-to-current converter.

Abstract: In described examples, a Hall effect sensor includes a primary Hall effect sensor element and an auxiliary Hall effect sensor element. A known magnetic field is applied to the auxiliary Hall effect sensor to produce an auxiliary Hall voltage used in a feedback loop to control the bias current of the auxiliary Hall effect sensor to maintain the auxiliary Hall voltage approximately constant over a range of temperature and other factors. A bias current for the primary Hall effect sensor is controlled to track the bias current of the auxiliary Hall effect sensor to maintain the sensitivity of the primary Hall effect sensor approximately constant over the same range of temperature and other factors.

Abstract: An electric current measurement apparatus for measuring an electric current flowing in a conducting wire in a circuit to be measured, the electric current measurement apparatus characterized by having a magnetic element to which a drive electric current terminal and a measurement voltage terminal are provided, a holder for fixing a positional relationship of the conducting wire to a magnetic body, an electric current source capable of outputting at least one frequency of alternating electric current across the drive electric current terminal, a voltage meter for measuring a voltage across the measurement voltage terminal, and a low-pass filter provided between the measurement voltage terminal and the voltage meter.

Abstract: A proximity sensor (12) is provided which comprises a magnet (16) and a sensor (18). The sensor (18) is aligned relative to the magnet (16) in such a manner that the direction (E) of maximum sensitivity of the sensor (18) is formed so as to be substantially parallel to the magnet axis (M) extending through the poles (20, 22) of the magnet (16). Further, an assembly unit (10) is provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes at least one highly doped region of an electrical device arrangement formed in a semiconductor substrate and a contact structure including an NTC (negative temperature coefficient of resistance) portion arranged adjacent to the at least one highly doped region at a front side surface of the semiconductor substrate. The NTC portion includes a negative temperature coefficient of resistance material.

Abstract: Ferromagnetic Group III-V semiconductor/non-magnetic Group III-V semiconductor heterojunctions, with a magnetodiode device, to detect heterojunction magnetoresistance responsive to an applied magnetic field.

Abstract: A current generator includes a thermistor configured to receive an input current, a reference resistor having a resistance substantially corresponding to a resistance of said thermistor at a reference temperature, a current mirror configured to generate a mirrored current proportional to said input current, a feedback circuit configured to generate an output compensation current proportional to a difference between voltages on said reference resistor and on said thermistor, and a first adder configured to force through said reference resistor a difference current between said mirrored replica current and said output compensation current.

Abstract: A Hall effect device includes a Hall element and a voltage regulator. The Hall element has first and second bias terminals, or nodes. The Hall effect device maintains, or regulates, a voltage at a point within the Hall element between the first and second bias terminals at about a constant voltage level, while generating a Hall effect voltage. In particular embodiments, the Hall effect voltage is, thus, prevented from substantially varying with the temperature of the Hall element.

Abstract: Embodiments for at methods, apparatus and systems for operating a voltage regulator are disclosed. One apparatus includes a switching voltage regulator, wherein the switching voltage regulator includes a series switch element, a shunt switch element, a switching controller and a switched output filter. The switching controller is configured to generate a switching voltage through controlled closing and opening of the series switch element and the shunt switch element. The switched output filter filters the switching voltage and generates a regulated output voltage, wherein the switched output filter includes a plurality of capacitors that are selectively included within the switched output filter.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus and a method of supplying power. The electronic apparatus includes: a solar cell to convert solar energy into electric energy; a converter to convert and output an output voltage of the solar cell; a temperature compensator to sense the output voltage and a temperature of the solar cell and correct the sensed output voltage of the solar cell according to the sensed temperature of the solar cell; and a controller to perform a feedback control with respect to an output voltage of the converter according to the corrected output voltage of the solar cell.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated electronic compass and circuit system. The fabrication method begins with providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a surface region. One or more CMOS integrated circuits are then formed on one or more portions of the semiconductor substrate. Once the CMOS circuits are formed, a thickness of dielectric material is formed overlying the one or more CMOS integrated circuits. A substrate is then joined overlying the thickness of the dielectric material. Once joined, the substrate is thinned to a predetermined thickness. Following the thinning process, an electric compass device is formed within one or more regions of the predetermined thickness of the substrate. Other mechanical devices or MEMS devices can also be formed within one or more regions of the thinned substrate.

Abstract: A current generator includes a thermistor configured to receive an input current, a reference resistor of a value substantially corresponding to a resistance of said thermistor at a reference temperature, a current mirror configured to generate a mirrored current proportional to said input current, a feedback circuit configured to generate an output compensation current proportional to a difference between voltages on said reference resistor and on said thermistor, and a first adder configured to force through said reference resistor a difference current between said mirrored replica current and said output compensation current.

Abstract: An integrated circuit die includes a microprocessor and a control circuit to control elements of a voltage regulator to supply power to the microprocessor.

Abstract: An integrated circuit die includes a microprocessor and a control circuit to control elements of a voltage regulator to supply power to the microprocessor.

Abstract: An integrated circuit die includes a microprocessor and a control circuit to control elements of a voltage regulator to supply power to the microprocessor.

Abstract: The inventive circuitry on a semiconductor chip includes a first functional element having a first electronic functional-element parameter that exhibits a dependence relating to the mechanical stress present in the semiconductor circuit chip in accordance with a first functional-element stress influence function. The first functional element provides a first output signal based on the first electronic functional-element parameter and mechanical stress. A second functional element has a second electronic functional-element parameter that exhibits a dependence in relation to the mechanical stress present in the semiconductor circuit chip in accordance with a second functional-element stress influence function. The second functional element is configured to provide a second output signal based on the second electronic functional-element parameter and the mechanical stress.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a first functional element having a first electronic functional-element parameter exhibiting a dependence relating to the mechanical stress present in the semiconductor circuit chip, and being configured to provide a first output signal, a second functional element having a second electronic functional-element parameter exhibiting a dependence in relation to the mechanical stress present in the semiconductor circuit chip, and being configured to provide a second output signal in dependence on the second electronic functional-element parameter and the mechanical stress, and a combination means for combining the first and second output signals to obtain a resulting output signal exhibiting a predefined dependence on the mechanical stress present in the semiconductor circuit chip, the first and second functional elements being integrated on the semiconductor circuit chip and arranged, geometrically, such that that the first and second functional-element stress influence functions ar

Abstract: A compensation signal, which derives the mechanical stress, which acts on an integrated semiconductor circuit, from two partial compensation signals, which are generated by semiconductor elements with different stress characteristics, can be determined in more detail when the temperature dependence of a ratio of the partial compensation signals is also considered, wherein particularly a deviation of the ratio of the partial compensation signal to an ideal ratio is considered. Thereby, the rise in accuracy of the stress determination results from determining a deviation of the partial compensation signals, on which the stress determination is based, from a nominal behavior in a stress-free state, so that the deviation of the nominal behavior, which can be based, for example, on a variation of the process parameters in a production process of a semiconductor circuit, can also be considered, in addition to the known temperature behavior.

Abstract: An integrated circuit die includes a microprocessor and a control circuit to control elements of a voltage regulator to supply power to the microprocessor.

Abstract: A current limiting apparatus and method for use in a power system is provided. Current flows from a power system to a first magnetic field producing contact. A Hall effect device is disposed between the first magnetic field producing contact and another magnetic field producing contact. In this manner, the Hall effect device is subjected to a magnetic field produced by the two contacts. The limited current is then provided to another portion of the power system or to another power system.

Abstract: This invention pertains to more sensitive and more stable electronic devices which can sense electrical and magnetic fields. The devices are characterized by InAs channels confined on both sides thereof by a wide band gap AlSb material; protective layers above the AlSb material; modulation doping above the AlSb material; and layers of the InAs channel material containing 1 to 99 mol percent antimony, with the channel material being deposited in the form of alternating monolayers of InSb and InAs, of a ternary mixture of InAsSb.

Abstract: An isolator having a driver circuit which responsive to an input signal drives appropriate signals into one or more coils which are magnetically coupled to one or more corresponding MR or GMR elements whose resistance is variable in response to the magnetic field applied by the coil(s), and an output circuit that converts the resistance changes to an output signal corresponding to the input signal. A Faraday shield is interposed between the coil(s) and the MR or GMR elements. Common mode transients applied to the driver are capacitively coupled from the coil(s) into the Faraday shield and therethrough to ground, instead of into the MR elements. A second Faraday shield may be disposed in spaced relationship with the first Faraday shield and referenced to the potential of the MR elements for even greater common mode rejection. The entire structure may be formed monolithically as an integrated circuit on a single substrate, for low cost, small size, and low power consumption.

Abstract: An isolator having a driver circuit which responsive to an input signal drives appropriate signals into one or more coils which are magnetically coupled to one or more corresponding MR or GMR elements whose resistance is variable in response to the magnetic field applied by the coil(s), and an output circuit that converts the resistance changes to an output signal corresponding to the input signal. A Faraday shield is interposed between the coil(s) and the MR or GMR elements. Common mode transients applied to the driver are capacitively coupled from the coil(s) into the Faraday shield and therethrough to ground, instead of into the MR elements. A second Faraday shield may be disposed in spaced relationship with the first Faraday shield and referenced to the potential of the MR elements for even greater common mode rejection. The entire structure may be formed monolithically as an integrated circuit on a single substrate, for low cost, small size, and low power consumption.

Abstract: A multi-function switch includes a casing, a key top member, two magnets, two magnetic detectors and a micro-computer. The key top member is mounted on the casing to permit both liner movement and rotational movement in a plane parallel with a bottom face of the casing. The two magnets are arranged on the key top member to be apart from each other at a predetermined distance. The two magnetic detectors are arranged on the casing to face the magnets' respectively, at respective neutral positions in the liner movement and rotational movement. The micro-computer detects a ratio of respective voltages generated from the magnetic detectors and further processes the obtained ratio as a desired operational signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrically exciting a magneto-resistor (MR) device that is adapted to sense variations in a magnetic field. Electric current is delivered to flow through the MR device and produce a voltage drop across the resistance the MR device, where the voltage drop varies in accordance with changes in the flux density of the sensed magnetic field. The current flowing through the MR device is limited to a predetermined maximum current value to prevent damage to the MR device due to self heating at elevated operating temperatures. When the delivered current is less than the predetermined maximum current value, the current flowing through the MR device is controlled to maintain a measured characteristic of the voltage drop appearing across the MR device at a desired value. This increases the sensitivity of the MR device over its operating temperature range to variations in the sensed magnetic field.

Abstract: An uncomplicated and reliable temperature sensor has a pair thermistors coupled in parallel with a current source that is connected in series with a load resistor. Temperature variations cause a robust current output change that generates a corresponding robust output voltage determined by a proper selection of the load resistor. Increased sensitivity is provided by the robust current to avoid many of the problems otherwise associated with D.C. amplifiers (e.g., drift).

Abstract: A Hall-effect magnetic sensor arrangement comprises a sensor element utilizing the Hall-effect and disposed in a magnetic circuit including a magnetic pole unit in an opposing relationship with respect to the magnetic pole unit with a predetermined distance therebetween, a sensor frame surrounding the sensor element and having a cave defined at the opposite side of the magnetic pole unit with respect to the sensor element and at a side perpendicular to a magnetic path and a soft filler material filled in the cave for protecting the sensor element. The sensor arrangement comprises a nonmagnetic thin plate member disposed at the side of the sensor element opposite to the magnetic pole unit and supported at its outer edge by the sensor frame for preventing the filler material to flow out from the cave.

Abstract: A temperature compensating circuit for a Hall generator with a positive temperature coefficient of the resistance of the drive circuit path utilizes summation of a voltage representing the drive current as detected across a substantially temperature-independent compensating resistance in the drive current path, with a constant voltage component to provide one output to an operational amplifier whose other output is connected to this operational amplifier which produces the output signal of the circuit.

Abstract: A temperature compensation method and circuit for a Hall element or other element with similar characteristics comprising a pair of current carrying branches, one of which includes a resistor. A pair of transistors in the branches are controlled in unison to control the sum of the currents in the branches in response to current through the element, and controlled differentially to control the relative magnitudes of the currents in the branches in response to the voltage generated by the element. A comparator circuit including an active load in the branches compares the branch currents and provides a switched output signal upon a predetermined relationship between the currents. Switching hysteresis is provided by changing the sum of the currents depending on the state of the output signal.

Abstract: A power circuit utilizing a switch comprised of Hall-effect-active resistive elements for interrupting a current flow in an inductive energy storage system. Interruption of the flow of current causes a high-voltage pulse which drives the current flow into a circuit leg which is parallel to the interrupting elements. The Hall effect switch is controlled by means of an exciter coil that is connected in parallel with the Hall-effect-active resistive elements to provide self excited operation.

Abstract: In a magnetoresistive current detector, which includes a conductor carrying a current to be measured, which in turn generates an external magnetic field, four bridge elements are connected to one another so as to constitute a Wheatstone bridge. The Wheatstone bridge is adapted to be fed by a supply current from a current- or voltage-source and includes two pairs of ferromagnetic and magnetoresistive thin films which have hard and easy axes, respectively, and each thin film constitutes a respective bridge element. The thin films of each pair are magnetostatically coupled to one another, so that the portion of the supply current flowing in each thin film of each pair generates an auxiliary magnetic field, which has a direction along the hard magnetic axis of the other thin film of the same pair.

Abstract: A magnet is bonded to a skewed-hysteresis Hall switch in such a position that the magnetic flux, normal to the Hall element, is equal to the average of the magnetic flux required to operate and the magnetic flux required to release the Hall switch. This magnet-Hall-switch assembly is made by initially employing a magnet of much greater strength than needed. The Hall switch is energized and subjected to an oscillating field of zero average value. The on-time to off-time ratio of the magnet-Hall-switch assembly is measured. A demagnetizing field is adjusted to a strength that is directly related to the difference between unity and the Hall switch on-to-off time, and the magnet is then subjected to the adjusted demagnetizing field. These steps are repeated several times. The magnet is thus partially demagnetized to import to the magnet-biased Hall switch a symmetrical hysteresis characteristic.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a Hall-element, a voltage regulator, and a threshold detector. DC power is supplied through a pair of terminals that may be connected to a remote DC voltage source. A switchable constant current sink circuit connected across these terminals is turned on and off in response to the two output states of the threshold detector that in turn is responsive to the Hall-element output voltage. Thus the DC current flowing in the two DC supply lines is a predictable large value or small value corresponding to a low and a high magnitude magnetic field at the sensor, even when the supply DC voltage changes over a wide range.

Abstract: A Hall effect switch device converted to a latching relay by having a reversible bias magnet attached thereto adjacent the Hall sensor so as to operate the switch circuit in one polarity of the bias magnet, and release the switch circuit in the other polarity of the bias magnet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a residual voltage regulating circuit for a Hall element improving the dependency on temperature of the output voltage of the Hall element and the secular changes of the Hall element.