Abstract: A Hall sensor is disclosed. The Hall sensor comprises a first Hall element, configured to detect a component of a magnetic field in a first direction a using a sensitive area of the first Hall element. The Hall sensor further comprises a second Hall element, configured to detect a component of the magnetic field in a second direction b using a sensitive area of the second Hall element. The Hall sensor further comprises a conductor track, configured to generate a calibration magnetic field. The calibration magnetic field has a significant component on the sensitive area of the first Hall element in the second direction b. The calibration magnetic field further has a significant component on the sensitive area of the second Hall element in the first direction a.

Abstract: Fluxgate current transducer including a control circuit and a fluxgate device comprising a saturable soft magnetic core surrounded by an excitation coil, the control circuit comprising an excitation coil drive circuit connected to the excitation coil configured to generate an alternating magnetic field to alternatingly saturate the soft magnetic core. The excitation coil comprises a first winding and a second winding connected together at a common point forming an input of the first winding and an output of the second winding, the first winding connected in series to a first switch (S1) and the second winding connected in series to a second switch (S2).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for canceling inductive coupling in a magnetic field sensing device having one or more Hall elements. A device can include a Hall element having a first pair of first and second voltage sensing terminals at diametrically opposed locations on the Hall element, and a second pair of third and fourth voltage sensing terminals diametrically opposed locations on the Hall element. A first mirror conductive path extends around a perimeter of the Hall element in a first direction a second mirror conductive path extends around the perimeter of the Hall element in a second direction so that the first and second mirror conductive paths are on opposite sides of the Hall element and are equal and opposite to cancel inductive coupling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor suite comprising at least one sensor. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sensor suite for measuring absolute and/or relative position, location and orientation of an object on or in which the sensor suite is employed. The present invention further relates to improved, novel sensor types for use in the sensor suite. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved, novel magnetometer that is self-calibrating and scalable. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to such a magnetometer that is miniaturized. Further embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for providing location and guidance, and more particularly for providing location and guidance in environments where global position systems (GPS) are unavailable or unreliable (GPS denied and/or degraded environments).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a field-sensor device comprising a reference field sensor providing a reference sensor signal in response to a field, a calibrated field sensor providing a calibrated sensor signal in response to the field, a reference circuit connected to the reference field sensor and adapted to receive a reference signal, and an adjustable circuit connected to the calibrated field sensor and adapted to receive a calibrated signal. When the adjustable circuit is adjusted with the calibrated signal, said calibrated signal being different from the reference signal, the calibrated field sensor provides a calibrated sensor signal substantially equal to the reference sensor signal. The field sensor device is arranged to be exposed, when in a calibration mode, to a uniform calibration field and, when in operational mode, to an operational field being a field gradient.

Abstract: A calibration and verification system for a directional sensor, including an industrial control computer and a directional sensor, wherein the industrial control computer is connected to a sensor signal acquisition system, a first triaxial Helmholtz coil and a second triaxial Helmholtz coil, respectively, wherein a heating calibration turntable is disposed in the first triaxial Helmholtz coil and configured to heat and calibrate the directional sensor, and wherein a high-precision inclination and azimuth test turntable is disposed in the second triaxial Helmholtz coil and configured to verify the directional sensor.

Abstract: An electric utility meter including a Hall Effect sensor configured to sense a magnetic field proximate the electric utility meter. The electric utility meter also includes a controller having an electronic processor, the controller configured to receive a signal indicative of a magnitude of the magnetic field proximate the electric utility meter from the sensor, determine whether the magnitude of the magnetic field exceeds a first magnitude threshold and whether a threshold flag has been set, set the threshold flag when the threshold flag has not been set and the magnitude exceeds the first magnitude threshold, determine an amount of time for which the magnitude has exceeded the first magnitude threshold when the threshold flag has been set, and generate an alert indicative of a magnetic tamper event when the amount of time exceeds a time threshold.

Abstract: A current measurement device (1 and 2) is for measuring a current (I) flowing through measurement target conductors (MC1 and MC2), and the current measurement device includes: a plurality of triaxial magnetic sensors (11, 12, and 13) disposed so that a magnetic sensing direction and a relative position have a prescribed relationship; a noise remover (25a) configured to remove noise components included in detection results of the plurality of triaxial magnetic sensors; a sign adder (25b) configured to add a sign to the detection results from which the noise components have been removed, based on sign information of each of the detection results of the plurality of triaxial magnetic sensors obtained at a specific point in time; and a current calculator (25c and 25d) configured to calculate a current flowing through the measurement target conductors by using the detection results to which the sign has been added by the sign adder.

Abstract: A current sensor has: a magneto-resistive effect element which is arranged near a current line, to which a signal magnetic field is applied, the signal magnetic field being is induced by a current that flows in the current line, and which generates a magneto-resistive change in accordance with a change of the signal magnetic field; cancelling magnetic field generating means that is provided near the magneto-resistive effect element and that generates a cancelling magnetic field that cancels the signal magnetic field; a first soft magnetic body that is provided between the magneto-resistive effect element and the current line; and a pair of second soft magnetic bodies that are provided on both sides of the magneto-resistive effect element with regard to a magnetization detecting direction of the magneto-resistive effect element.

Abstract: A determination apparatus includes circuitry configured to: compare signal separation results obtained by a plurality of signal separation algorithms executed on a mixed signal in which signals emitted from a plurality of signal sources are mixed, each of the plurality of signal separation algorithms being an algorithm separating a signal of interest from the mixed signal; and determine a parameter of each of the plurality of signal separation algorithms based on a comparison result.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to investigate a multiple nested conductive pipe structure can be implemented in a variety of applications. An electromagnetic pulsed tool disposed in the multiple nested conductive pipe structure in a wellbore can make a set of log measurements and provide a measured log at different depths in the multiple nested conductive pipe structure. The total thickness of the multiple nested conductive pipes can be determined at each depth in the measured log using a remote field eddy current look-up curve. The remote field eddy current look-up curve can be correlated to a remote field eddy current regime in time-domain associated with time decay response. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a magnetometer may include; obtaining at least four measurement values using the magnetometer, calculating a center and a radius of a sphere in accordance with the measurement values, wherein the center and the radius of the sphere correspond to an internal magnetic field associated with an electronic device including the magnetometer, and calibrating an output of the magnetometer in accordance with the center of the sphere.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a magnetometer that outputs magnetometer sensor signals and a gyroscope that outputs gyroscope sensor signals. The electronic device includes a magnetometer calibration module that calibrates the magnetometer utilizing the gyroscope sensor signals. The electronic device generates a first magnetometer calibration parameter based on a Kalman filter process. The electronic device generates a second magnetometer calibration parameter based on a least squares estimation process.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe using a moveable component on a vehicle to calibrate a sensor (e.g., a LIDAR sensor). While a LIDAR sensor can be calibrated using a specially designed configuration component mounted on a vehicle, this increases the cost of manufacturing the vehicle and complexity for identifying a suitable location for the calibration component. Rather than adding a new component, embodiments herein use a moveable component already part of the design of the vehicle as a calibration component. That is, the embodiments herein use components that are primarily used for a different purpose to also perform LIDAR calibration, such as a wheel or a robotic arm.

Abstract: A method of magnetic sensing uses at least two magnetic sensing elements including a first and a second magnetic sensor element. The method includes: a) measuring in a first configuration a combination of the first and second signal obtained from both sensors; b) measuring in a second configuration an individual signal obtained from the first sensor only; c) testing a consistency of the combined signal and the individual signal, or testing a consistency of signals derived therefrom, in order to detect an error. A sensor device is configured for performing this method. A sensor system includes the sensor device and optionally a second processor connected thereto.

Abstract: A current generating circuit includes a current generator configured to supply a reference current, switches connected to the current generator, wherein one switch of the switches is selected and configured to operate, according to a switch selection signal, and one or more resistors, respectively connected to the switches, wherein a rate of current change according to a temperature change of the current generator is adjusted based on a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of resistors connected to the one switch, according to adjustment of the one switch.

Abstract: A method of foreign object debris discrimination incudes illuminating particulates located within a sensing volume with a first electromagnetic radiation pulse emitted from a first source, and illuminating the particulates within the sensing volume with a second electromagnetic radiation pulse emitted from a second source, wherein the second electromagnetic radiation pulse has a second wavelength range within the terahertz (THz) regime. The first electromagnetic radiation returns and the second electromagnetic radiation returns are compared to determine a scattering ratio from the comparing step. The scattering ratio is then utilized to determine a resultant foreign object debris type of the solid objects.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor system includes two magnetic sensors that detect components in two directions of an external magnetic field, an additional magnetic field generation section, and a signal processing circuit. The additional magnetic field generation section is capable of generating two additional magnetic fields for use in measuring the sensitivities of the two magnetic sensors. The signal processing circuit includes a sensitivity measurement processing section and a detection signal correction processing section. The sensitivity measurement processing section measures the sensitivities based on data concerning changes in the detection signals of the two magnetic sensors when the additional magnetic field generation section is controlled to generate two additional magnetic fields. The detection signal correction processing section performs processing for reducing change components attributable to the two additional magnetic fields on the detection signals of the two magnetic sensors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a way to increase the density of Hall effect sensors on a MFL inline inspection tool mounting the sensors on a first circuit board which overlies a second circuit board. Op amps for the sensors which condition and filter the analog signal from the sensors are mounted on the first circuit board. Microprocessors mounted on the second circuit board receive the analog signal from the op amp and translate it into a digital signal. Use of the stacked circuit boards doubles the amount of area to mount the sensors and their op amps and microprocessors while maintaining the same footprint. This results in being able to increase the number of Hall effect sensors in that footprint area. In other embodiments the number of layers of circuit boards may be increased beyond two.

Abstract: A mobile cart that holds a bag for receiving solid waste generated during a medical or surgical procedure. The cart includes a sensor that monitors whether or not an object containing metal is placed in the bag. A processor monitors the signal output by the sensor. If the sensor signal indicates that an object with a minimal amount of metal is placed in the bag, the processor momentarily asserts an audible alarm and continuously asserts a light alarm. The light alarm remains asserted until turned off. If, while the light alarm is on, the sensor signal indicates a second object with the minimal amount of waste is placed in the container, the processor again momentarily asserts the audible alarm. This provides notice that it may be necessary to investigate the contents of the bag to determine if not one but two or more objects were inadvertently discarded.

Abstract: A magnetic field measurement apparatus including a magnetic sensor array having magnetic sensor cells capable of detecting magnetic fields in three axial directions arranged in three dimensions, each magnetic sensor cell including a plurality of magnetic sensors that each have a magnetoresistive element and a magnetic flux concentrator arranged at least at one of one end and another end of the magnetoresistive element; AD converters that respectively convert analog detection signals output by the magnetic sensors into digital measurement data; a magnetic field acquiring section that acquires the digital measurement data; a calibration computing section that calibrates the digital measurement data from the magnetic field acquiring section, using at least one of a main-axis sensitivity, cross-axis sensitivities, and an offset; and a gradient magnetic field computing section that calculates a gradient magnetic field using magnetic field measurement data resulting from the calibration of the digital measurement d

Abstract: A position sensing system has a trim unit to trim hall voltages generated by a first sensor and a second sensor in response to an excitation current, to compensate a non-orthogonality of the first sensor and the second sensor.

Abstract: A position detection device includes two detection systems that are respectively fed from power supply systems different from each other, and displace together with a shift lever. Each detection system can output detection patterns with four digits. A detection pattern when being located at a given position is different from a detection pattern when being located at another position. In any detection pattern, outputs of certain two digits among the four digits are set so as to be identical to each other, and to be different from outputs of two other digits. Alternatively, outputs of certain three digits among the four digits are set to be identical to each other, and to be different from an output of another digit.

Abstract: A construction monitoring method and system for a V-shaped column in an underground foundation pit, a terminal and a storage medium can include the following steps: acquiring different stress-related data at a plurality of preset positions of stand columns in real time; and analyzing and judging whether the change rate of the stress-related data exceeds a preset change rate range or not or whether the stress-related data exceeds a preset stress-related data range or not.

Abstract: A waste cart includes a base housing; a center upright having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is secured to the base housing; a top housing secured to the distal end of the center upright, wherein the top housing has two or more disposal openings for two or more separate disposal portions including, a first waste portion which has a first metal detector and an indicator for providing a notification when a metal item passes through the opening; and a second waste portion which includes a second metal detector and an indicator for providing a notification when a metal item passes through the opening; an electronics module which operates each metal detector independently; and an alarm indicator operationally associated with the electronics module which is activated when the electronics module detects the passage of a metal item through an opening into a waste portion.

Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a magnetic-field sensor. The magnetic field sensor includes a first and second magnetoresistance circuitries configured to receive a magnetic field signal from a target and convert the magnetic field signal received to a first signal and second signal; analog circuitry configured to receive the first and second signals; digital circuitry configured to receive a first and second analog output signals from analog circuitry and to convert the first and second analog output signals to a first and second digital signals representing a first and second channel output signals; and diagnostic circuitry configured to receive, from the digital circuitry, an input signal related to a separation of the first and second channel output signals, and configured to provide a test signal at a pin of the IC indicating whether a distance between the IC and the target complies with at least one rule.

Abstract: A method for stress-induced magnetic field signal acquisition and stress measurement is disclosed. The method can include the following steps: a1, conducting AC magnetization on a to-be-tested structure by using an AC magnetic field with preset frequencies and strengths, and acquiring the excitation magnetic field signals in at least one cycle; a2, subtracting the excitation magnetic field signals in at least one cycle of a stress-free sample having the same material as the to-be-tested structure from the excitation magnetic field signals acquired in step a1 to obtain a stress-induced magnetic field signals of the to-be-tested structure; a3, quantitatively assessing the stresses in the to-be-tested structure by comparing the mean values of the stress-induced magnetic field signals acquired in step a2 with the pre-calibrated relationship of stresses and the mean values of the stress-induced magnetic field signals for the material of the to-be-tested structure.

Abstract: A calibration method includes receiving magnetic field values, which are generated by a plurality of real magnetic transmitters and are measured at multiple positions on a grid in a region containing a magnetic field perturbing element. Approximate locations of the real magnetic transmitters are received. Using the approximate locations, a respective plurality of imaginary magnetic sources is characterized inside the field perturbing element. Using the measured magnetic field values, the approximate locations, and the characterized imaginary sources, there are iteratively calculated (i) actual locations of the real and imaginary magnetic sources in the region, and (ii) modeled magnetic field values that would result from the real and imaginary magnetic sources at the actual locations. Using the calculated locations, and the modeled magnetic field values at the multiple positions on the grid, a magnetic field calibration function is derived for the region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate: a vertical Hall element formed in the semiconductor substrate, and having a magnetosensitive portion; a first excitation wiring disposed above the magnetosensitive portion, and configured to apply a first calibration magnetic field (M1) to the magnetosensitive portion; and second excitation wirings disposed above the magnetosensitive portion on one side and on another side of the first excitation wiring, respectively, along the first excitation wiring as viewed in plan view from immediately above a front surface of the semiconductor substrate, and configured to apply second calibration magnetic fields (M2) to the magnetosensitive portion.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor package is disclosed. The package includes a substrate that has a front side and a back side opposite the front side. The substrate can comprise a lead frame. The package also includes a first magnetic field sensor die that is electrically and mechanically mounted on the front side of the substrate. The package also includes a second magnetic field sensor die that is electrically and mechanically mounted on the front side of the substrate. The package further includes a magnet that is disposed on the back side of the substrate. The magnet can provide a bias field for the first magnetic field sensor die and the second magnetic field sensor die. The package can also include a molding material that is disposed about the lead frame, the first magnetic field sensor die, the second magnetic field sensor die, and the magnet.

Abstract: A calibration device includes a main control unit, an interface conversion unit and an electronic load generation unit. The electronic load generation unit provides an electronic load, so that a USB control chip generates a constant load current. The USB control chip uses at least one preset conversion parameter to generate an analog-to-digital conversion value according to the constant load current. The main control unit generates a to-be-calibrated output current according to the analog-to-digital conversion value. The main control unit generates at least one calibrated conversion parameter according to the constant load current and the to-be-calibrated output current. The USB control chip uses the at least one calibrated conversion parameter to generate a calibrated analog-to-digital conversion value, so that an over current protection mechanism is accurately enabled.

Abstract: A sensor device comprises an electrically conductive chip carrier, wherein the chip carrier comprises an auxiliary structure, wherein the auxiliary structure comprises a first precalibration current terminal and a second precalibration current terminal, a magnetic field sensor chip arranged on a mounting surface of the chip carrier, wherein the magnetic field sensor chip comprises a sensor element, wherein the shape of the auxiliary structure is embodied such that an electrical precalibration current flowing from the first precalibration current terminal to the second precalibration current terminal through the auxiliary structure induces a predefined precalibration magnetic field at the location of the sensor element, wherein during measurement operation of the precalibrated sensor device, no precalibration current flows between the first precalibration current terminal and the second precalibration current terminal.

Abstract: A waste cart includes a base housing; a center upright having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is secured to the base housing; a top housing secured to the distal end of the center upright, wherein the top housing has two or more disposal openings for two or more separate disposal portions including, a first waste portion which has a first metal detector and an indicator for providing a notification when a metal item passes through the opening; and a second waste portion which includes a second metal detector and an indicator for providing a notification when a metal item passes through the opening; an electronics module which operates each metal detector independently; and an alarm indicator operationally associated with the electronics module which is activated when the electronics module detects the passage of a metal item through an opening into a waste portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a surface perpendicular to the first direction; a vertical Hall element formed in the semiconductor substrate, and including a magnetosensitive portion having a depth in the first direction, a width in the second direction, and a length in the third direction; and an excitation wiring extending in the third direction and disposed above the semiconductor substrate and at a position that overlaps the center position of the width of the magnetosensitive portion, and the value u derived from Expression (1) is 0.

Abstract: A chopping technique, and associated structure, is implemented to cancel the magnetic 1/f noise contribution in a Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) field sensor. The TMR field sensor includes a first bridge circuit including multiple TMR elements to sense a magnetic field and a second circuit to apply a bipolar current pulse adjacent to each TMR element. The current lines are serially or sequentially connected to a current source to receive the bipolar current pulse. The field sensor has an output including a high output and a low output in response to the bipolar pulse. This asymmetric response allows a chopping technique for 1/f noise reduction in the field sensor.

Abstract: A Hall sensor circuit includes a first Hall sensor, a second Hall sensor, a first preamplifier circuit, a second preamplifier circuit, a subtractor circuit, and a duty cycling circuit. The first preamplifier circuit includes an input and an output. The input is coupled to the first Hall sensor. The second preamplifier circuit includes a first input, a second input, and an output. The first input is coupled to the second Hall sensor. The subtractor circuit includes a first input coupled to the output of the first preamplifier circuit, a second input coupled to the output of the second preamplifier circuit, and an output coupled to the second input of the second preamplifier circuit. The duty cycling circuit is coupled to the second preamplifier circuit and the second Hall sensor.

Abstract: A system includes a first amplifier and a first Hall sensor group coupled to the first amplifier. The system includes a second amplifier and a second Hall sensor group coupled to the second amplifier, where the second Hall sensor group includes a spinning Hall group. The system includes a first demodulator, where the first demodulator input is coupled to the first amplifier output. The system includes a second demodulator, where the second demodulator input is coupled to the second amplifier output. The system also includes a subtractor, the first subtractor input coupled to the first demodulator output, and the second subtractor input coupled to the second demodulator output. The system includes a filter coupled to the subtractor output and to a second input of the first amplifier, and a calibration module coupled to the subtractor output.

Abstract: A current sensor has: a magneto-resistive effect element which is arranged near a current line, to which a signal magnetic field is applied, the signal magnetic field being is induced by a current that flows in the current line, and which generates a magneto-resistive change in accordance with a change of the signal magnetic field; cancelling magnetic field generating means that is provided near the magneto-resistive effect element and that generates a cancelling magnetic field that cancels the signal magnetic field; a first soft magnetic body that is provided between the magneto-resistive effect element and the current line; and a pair of second soft magnetic bodies that are provided on both sides of the magneto-resistive effect element with regard to a magnetization detecting direction of the magneto-resistive effect element.

Abstract: A data acquisition system (DAS) for processing an input signal from a resistive sensor (e.g., Hall effect sensor) includes a sensor signal path that digitizes the input signal. An input impedance of the sensor signal path attenuates the input signal. A gain error corrector applies a gain error correction factor in a digital domain of the DAS to the digitized input signal to compensate for a loading effect to the resistive sensor. The sensor signal path includes an inverting amplifier that provides low distortion for the input signal and an ADC (e.g., delta-sigma, SAR, pipelined, auxiliary) that digitizes the input signal. A sensor characterization path digitizes the sensor resistance which the gain error corrector uses, along with the inverting amplifier input impedance, to calculate the gain error correction factor.

Abstract: A sensor comprising: a first magnetoresistive (MR) bridge having a first stray field sensitivity; a second MR bridge having a second stray field sensitivity; and a driver circuitry configured to: (i) supply a first voltage to the first MR bridge, and (ii) supply a second voltage to the second MR bridge that is different from the first voltage, wherein supplying the first voltage and the second voltage to the first MR bridge and the second MR bridge, respectively, causes the first stray field sensitivity to match the second stray field sensitivity.

Abstract: A packaged sensor chip includes a lead frame to which there is attached a sensor element designed to generate a sensor signal that depends on a magnetic field to which the sensor element is exposed; and a package therefor, wherein the lead frame has function terminals and wherein the lead frame has at least two calibration terminals that are arranged on two other opposing sides of the package, wherein the lead frame has conductive structures that connect the at least two calibration terminals, wherein the conductive structures are structured so as to generate a calibration magnetic field for the sensor element when a current flows through them, and wherein the conductive structures are part of a connection structure that connects a plurality of lead frames before the plurality of lead frames are disconnected from one another in a first direction in which the other two sides are opposite one another.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor system includes two magnetic sensors that detect components in two directions of an external magnetic field, an additional magnetic field generation section, and a signal processing circuit. The additional magnetic field generation section is capable of generating two additional magnetic fields for use in measuring the sensitivities of the two magnetic sensors. The signal processing circuit includes a sensitivity measurement processing section and a detection signal correction processing section. The sensitivity measurement processing section measures the sensitivities based on data concerning changes in the detection signals of the two magnetic sensors when the additional magnetic field generation section is controlled to generate two additional magnetic fields. The detection signal correction processing section performs processing for reducing change components attributable to the two additional magnetic fields on the detection signals of the two magnetic sensors.

Abstract: An integrated device of a patch and sensor assembly detects extravasation or infiltration. A transmitter is positioned to direct power into a body portion. A sensor is positioned to receive the power transmitted through the body portion. A substrate is attachable to an outer surface of the body portion and supports the transmitter and the sensor. A signal processor is coupled to the transmitter and the sensor for detecting a change in a fluid level in the body portion from extravasation or infiltration based on the power received by the sensor. A power supply is coupled to the transmitter and the sensor. An indicator is responsive to the signal processor to indicate a detected change in a fluid level in the body portion from extravasation or infiltration.

Abstract: Provided is a method of measuring a magnitude of magnetization of a perpendicular magnetic thin film, including: forming a stripe pattern in which a first magnetic domain that extends in a y direction and is magnetized in a z direction and a second magnetic domain that extends in the y direction and is magnetized in a direction opposite to the z direction are arranged alternately in an x direction, in a perpendicular magnetic thin film that extends in an xy plane; changing widths in the x direction, of the first and second magnetic domains by applying a magnetic field having a predetermined magnitude, in the z direction, to the perpendicular magnetic thin film; and calculating an absolute value of the magnetization of the perpendicular magnetic thin film on the basis of a ratio between the widths in the x direction, of the first magnetic domain and the second magnetic domain.

Abstract: A marker detection device which detects a magnetic marker laid in a road by using a sensor unit in which a plurality of combinations of a magnetic sensor and a magnetic-field generation coil are arranged includes a storage part which stores characteristic information of each magnetic-field generation coil, an estimation part which estimates a magnetic differential value acting on the magnetic sensor due to a current differential value acting on the magnetic-field generation coil by referring to the characteristic information of each magnetic-field generation coil, and a calibration part which calibrates each magnetic sensor so as to enhance uniformity in sensitivity, which is a ratio between an output differential value of the magnetic sensor in accordance with a change of a current by the current differential value acting on the magnetic-field generation coil and the estimated magnetic differential value.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurement system is disclosed with a waveguide transmission line (WGTL) connected at both ends to a mounting plate having an opening through which the WGTL is suspended. While the WGTL bottom surface contacts a portion of magnetic film on a whole wafer, a plurality of microwave frequencies is sequentially transmitted through the WGTL. Simultaneously, a magnetic field is applied to the contacted region thereby causing a FMR condition in the magnetic film. After RF output is transmitted through or reflected from the WGTL to a RF detector and converted to a voltage signal, effective anisotropy field, linewidth, damping coefficient, and/or inhomogeneous broadening are determined based on magnetic field intensity, microwave frequency and voltage output. A plurality of measurements is performed by controllably moving the WGTL or wafer and repeating the simultaneous application of microwave frequencies and magnetic field at additional preprogrammed locations on the magnetic film.

Abstract: A system comprises a calibration current generator, which provides a calibration current to a first and a second Hall channel, and a bias current generator, which determines a difference between a calibration signal from the Hall channels and a threshold and adjusts a biasing current for the Hall channels based on the difference. In some embodiments, the bias current generator comprises a subtractor coupled to an ADC and a controller coupled between the ADC and a DAC. The subtractor obtains a first and a second signal from the first and second Hall channels, respectively, and subtracts the first from the second to obtain the calibration signal. The controller determines the difference between a sampled signal from the ADC and the threshold and an adjustment to the biasing current based on the difference. The DAC adjusts the biasing current based on a control signal from the controller indicating the adjustment.

Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to steering position rotary sensors including a housing defining an internal cavity, a center shaft extending through the housing, and a gear coupled to the center shaft, wherein the gear is positioned off-center relative to a central rotational axis extending through the center shaft. The steering position rotary sensor may further include a magnet coupled to the gear, a first Hall effect sensor positioned adjacent the gear and concentric with the magnet, and a second Hall effect sensor positioned adjacent the center shaft and concentric with the central rotational axis, wherein the first Hall effect sensor and the second Hall effect sensor are separated by a magnetic shield.

Abstract: A semiconductor process integrates three bridge circuits, each include magnetoresistive sensors coupled as a Wheatstone bridge on a single chip to sense a magnetic field in three orthogonal directions. The process includes various deposition and etch steps forming the magnetoresistive sensors and a plurality of flux guides on one of the three bridge circuits for transferring a “Z” axis magnetic field onto sensors orientated in the XY plane.

Abstract: A calibration apparatus for calibrating a magnetic sensor configured to generate an output signal indicative of magnetic field strength when a bias signal is applied to it is disclosed. The apparatus includes a test magnetic field generator (MFG) to generate magnetic fields of known magnitude, and further includes a processor to control the MFG to generate a known magnetic field, control the sensor to generate a test output signal when the MFG generates the known magnetic field and a known bias signal is applied to the sensor, and determine how to change the bias signal based on a deviation of the measured test output signal from an expected output signal. Using a test MFG that produces known magnetic fields when known bias signals are applied to sensors allows evaluating and compensating for changes in sensitivity of the sensors by accordingly changing bias signals applied to the sensors.