Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080297235 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN OUTPUT VOLTAGE AND VOLTAGE CONTROLLER - A voltage controller for controlling an output voltage to a predetermined value. The voltage controller has a first terminal configured to connect a supply voltage, a second terminal configured to output the output voltage, a control voltage generating unit configured to provide a control voltage, and a control transistor. The control transistor is connected as a series controller between the first terminal and the second terminal. The control voltage can be applied to the control terminal of the control transistor, wherein the output voltage is controlled in a manner dependent on the supply voltage and the control voltage. Furthermore, an offset voltage is superposed on the control voltage. | 12-04-2008 |
20090160461 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR AND MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A system includes a capacitive sensor including a first electrode and a second electrode. The system includes a measurement system configured to sense a capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode and apply a first offset to the sensed capacitance to provide an offset compensated capacitance. | 06-25-2009 |
20090190283 | PREDICTIVE PHASE LOCKED LOOP SYSTEM - A phase locked loop (PLL) circuit includes a first signal detector having a first input terminal configured to receive a varying first input signal, a second input terminal configured to receive a feedback signal that corresponds to the center of the input frequency, and an output terminal configured to provide an output signal corresponding to a phase difference between the first input and feedback signals. A delay estimator has an input terminal configured to receive the output signal from the first phase detector and in response thereto, output a phase difference estimation signal. A variable delay circuit has an input terminal configured to receive the phase difference estimation signal and in response thereto, phase shift the second input signal. | 07-30-2009 |
20090261821 | SENSOR SYSTEM - A system including a spinning current Hall sensor and a chopping circuit. The spinning current Hall sensor is configured to provide input signals and the chopping circuit is configured to receive the input signals. Spinning phases of the spinning current Hall sensor are lengthened in residual offset adjustment phases to obtain signals that correspond to the residual offset voltages of the spinning phases. | 10-22-2009 |
20090273341 | SYSTEM INCLUDING SIGNAL OFFSET ESTIMATION - A system includes a first circuit configured to convert a first analog signal to a first digital signal. The system includes a second circuit configured to determine an area of the first digital signal above a set value and an area of the first digital signal below the set value to provide a second digital signal indicating an offset of the first analog signal. | 11-05-2009 |
20090295373 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH TRACKING LOGIC - An integrated circuit including an amplifier and a first circuit. The amplifier is configured to receive a sensed signal and provide an amplified signal. The first circuit is configured to track a first signal that is based on the amplified signal. The first circuit includes a first comparator, tracking logic and a first digital to analog converter. The first comparator is configured to respond to a second signal that is based on the first signal and provide a comparator output signal. The tracking logic is configured to receive the comparator output signal and update a digital output. The first digital to analog converter is configured to receive the digital output and provide a tracking signal that is summed with the first signal to provide the second signal. | 12-03-2009 |
20090295380 | CIRCUIT THAT PROVIDES OUTPUT VOLTAGES IN A HOMOGENOUS MAGNETIC FIELD - A circuit including Hall plates and an amplifier. The Hall plates are configured to provide Hall voltages in a homogenous magnetic field such that a first Hall plate has a first positive voltage and a first negative voltage and a second Hall plate has a second positive voltage and a second negative voltage. The amplifier is configured to receive the Hall voltages and provide a first output voltage that corresponds to the first positive voltage and the second positive voltage and a second output voltage that corresponds to the first negative voltage and the second negative voltage. | 12-03-2009 |
20100001887 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH AUTO-ZEROING COMPARATOR STAGES THAT PROVIDE A CONTINUOUS-TIME SIGNAL - An integrated circuit includes first and second inputs configured to receive an input signal. A plurality of comparator stages is coupled in parallel to the first and second inputs. Each comparator stage is configured to perform a comparison on the input signal and provide an output signal based on the comparison. A control circuit is configured to cause the comparator stages to switch to an auto-zeroing mode in a staggered manner, thereby compensating offset voltages of the comparator stages while providing a continuous-time digital output signal. | 01-07-2010 |
20100013448 | SYSTEM INCLUDING AN OFFSET VOLTAGE ADJUSTED TO COMPENSATE FOR VARIATIONS IN A TRANSISTOR - A system including a first transistor, a first capacitor and a circuit. The first transistor has a first control input and is configured to regulate an output voltage. The first capacitor is coupled at one end to the first control input and at another end to a circuit reference. The circuit is configured to provide a first voltage to the first control input, where the first voltage includes an offset voltage that is referenced to the output voltage and adjusted to compensate for variations in the first transistor. | 01-21-2010 |
20100117845 | Method and Device for Sensing a Body - In an embodiment of the present invention, a method for sensing a body is disclosed. The method includes measuring an impedance of a body occupying a seat over a plurality of frequencies and comparing the measured impedance of the body with a predefined body model. The method also includes determining whether the predefined body model corresponds to the measured impedance of the body. | 05-13-2010 |
20100145580 | CAPACITIVE OBJECT RECOGNITION USING ADJUSTABLE ELECTRODE - A system for capacitive object recognition including a pair of electrodes, one of the electrodes having an adjustable parameter, and a controller modeling current pathways formed by interaction of an object with an electric field between the pair electrodes as a network of capacitors. The controller is configured to set the adjustable parameter to a first setting and to apply a set of alternating current voltages to the pair electrodes and measure a resulting first set of current values at each of the electrodes, configured to set the adjustable parameter to a second setting and apply the set of alternating current voltages to the pair of electrodes and measure a resulting second set of current values at each of the electrodes, and configured to determine values for up to all capacitors of the network of capacitors based on the first and second sets of current values. | 06-10-2010 |
20100156394 | MAGNETIC FIELD CURRENT SENSORS - Embodiments related to magnetic current sensors, systems and methods. In an embodiment, a magnetic current sensor integrated in an integrated circuit (IC) and housed in an IC package comprises an IC die formed to present at least three magnetic sense elements on a first surface, a conductor, and at least one slot formed in the conductor, wherein a first end of the at least one slot and at least one of the magnetic sense elements are relatively positioned such that the at least one of the magnetic sense elements is configured to sense an increased magnetic field induced in the conductor proximate the first end of the at least one slot. | 06-24-2010 |
20100237890 | SYSTEM THAT MEASURES CHARACTERISTICS OF OUTPUT SIGNAL - A system including a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit includes analog components configured to receive an input signal and provide an output signal based on the input signal. The second circuit is configured to measure characteristics of the output signal to test the first circuit. At least one of the output signal and another output signal is fed back to provide the input signal and generate an oscillation in the output signal. | 09-23-2010 |
20110193557 | CURRENT SENSOR INCLUDING A SINTERED METAL LAYER - An integrated circuit includes a semiconductor die including a first magnetic field sensor. The integrated circuit includes an isolation material layer over the first magnetic field sensor and a sintered metal layer over the isolation material layer. The first magnetic field sensor is configured to sense a magnetic field generated by a current passing through the sintered metal layer. | 08-11-2011 |
20110199132 | SYSTEM PROVIDING A SWITCHED OUTPUT SIGNAL AND A HIGH RESOLUTION OUTPUT SIGNAL - A system including a sensing system, a first chopped circuit, a second chopped circuit, and a clock generator. The sensing system is configured to provide sensed input signals. The first chopped circuit is configured to provide a switched output signal that switches in response to values of the sensed input signals crossing a limit. The second chopped circuit is configured to provide a high resolution output signal that corresponds to the sensed input signals and has a higher resolution than the switched output signal. The clock generator is configured to provide clock signals that synchronize chopping of the first chopped circuit and the second chopped circuit. | 08-18-2011 |
20110204887 | CURRENT SENSORS AND METHODS - Embodiments relate to current sensors and methods. In an embodiment, a current sensor comprises a conductor portion having a first portion and a second portion; at least three slots formed in the conductor portion between the first and second portions, each of the at least three slots having a length and at least one tip portion; at least two bridge portions each having a width separating two of the at least three slots and a length coupling the first and second portions; a first contact region disposed relative to the first portion and a second contact region disposed relative to the second portion; and at least one pair of magnetic sensor elements, a first pair of magnetic sensor elements arranged relative to and spaced apart from a first of the at least two bridge portions. | 08-25-2011 |
20110209556 | STRESS SENSING DEVICES AND METHODS - Embodiments relate to stress sensing devices and methods. In an embodiment, a sensor device includes an active layer; and at least three contacts spaced apart from one another in the active layer, the at least three contacts being coupleable in a first configuration for a first operating mode of the sensor device in which a current in the active layer has a first ratio of horizontal to vertical components with respect to a die surface and in a second configuration different from the first for a second operating mode of the sensor device in which a current in the active layer has a second ratio of horizontal to vertical components, wherein a ratio of a resistance between at least two of the contacts in the first operating mode and a resistance between at least two of the contacts in the second operating mode is related to mechanical stress in the sensor device. | 09-01-2011 |
20110215955 | SYSTEM INCLUDING FEEDBACK CIRCUIT WITH DIGITAL CHOPPING CIRCUIT - A system including a first circuit, a second circuit, and a feedback circuit. The first circuit is configured to provide input signals. The second circuit is configured to receive the input signals and provide digital output signals that correspond to the input signals. The feedback circuit includes a chopping circuit, an integrator circuit, and a digital to analog converter circuit. The chopping circuit is configured to receive the digital output signals and provide error signals that represent ripple error in the digital output signals. The integrator circuit is configured to accumulate the error signals and provide an accumulated error signal. The digital to analog converter circuit is configured to convert the accumulated error signal into an analog signal that is received by the second circuit to reduce the ripple error. | 09-08-2011 |
20110270553 | Apparatus, Sensor Circuit, and Method for Operating an Apparatus or a Sensor Circuit - An apparatus is described, including: a signal processing circuit adapted to process an input signal to obtain an output signal; a sensor element for sensing a predetermined physical quantity, wherein the sensor element is adapted to generate a sensor signal in response to the predetermined physical quantity; wherein the signal processing unit is adapted to process the input signal to obtain the output signal depending on the sensor signal; and wherein the apparatus further comprises an evaluation circuit adapted to evaluate the sensor signal and to generate an indication signal indicating an abnormal operating condition in case the sensor signal does not fulfill a predetermined normal operation criterion. | 11-03-2011 |
20110308866 | Sensor Measurement System Using Pulsed Current Signals - The disclosed invention provides a structure and method for easily measuring capacitive and/or resistive components of a sensor system. In one embodiment, the structure comprises a signal generator configured to output a load current to a measurement element containing measurement sensor elements and a parasitic capacitance. A controllable excitation voltage is generated, via integration of the load current on the parasitic capacitance, and output to the measurement sensor elements having capacitive and resistive components. The controlled voltage through the measurement device may be manipulated to cause the capacitive and resistive components to exhibit a transient effect. The resulting output current, provided from the measurement device therefore has transient response characteristics (e.g., the settling time, amplitude) that can be selectively measured by a measurement circuit to easily determine values of the capacitive and resistive measurement elements. Furthermore, dedicated demodulation techniques may be used to measure the capacitive and resistive components. | 12-22-2011 |
20120038416 | Low-Power, High-Voltage Integrated Circuits - Embodiments relate to an ultra-low-power, high-voltage integrated circuit (IC) that also has high electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Embodiments address the desire for an ultra-low-power, high-voltage IC that also has high EMC and comprise a high-voltage EMC protection circuit with normal current consumption coupled to an ultra-low-power, low-voltage oscillator that controls a sleep/wake, or duty, cycle of a high-voltage circuit. | 02-16-2012 |
20120074972 | SENSOR SELF-DIAGNOSTICS USING MULTIPLE SIGNAL PATHS - Embodiments relate to systems and methods for sensor self-diagnostics using multiple signal paths. In an embodiment, the sensors are magnetic field sensors, and the systems and/or methods are configured to meet or exceed relevant safety or other industry standards, such as SIL standards. For example, a monolithic integrated circuit sensor system implemented on a single semiconductor ship can include a first sensor device having a first signal path for a first sensor signal on a semiconductor chip; and a second sensor device having a second signal path for a second sensor signal on the semiconductor chip, the second signal path distinct from the first signal path, wherein a comparison of the first signal path signal and the second signal path signal provides a sensor system self-test. | 03-29-2012 |
20120194179 | SENSOR SYSTEM - A system including a spinning current Hall sensor and a chopping circuit. The spinning current Hall sensor is configured to provide input signals and the chopping circuit is configured to receive the input signals. Spinning phases of the spinning current Hall sensor are lengthened in residual offset adjustment phases to obtain signals that correspond to the residual offset voltages of the spinning phases. | 08-02-2012 |
20120239350 | Accurate and Cost Efficient Linear Hall Sensor with Digital Output - One embodiment of the present invention relates to a magnetic sensor circuit having a magnetic field sensor device configured to generate a digital signal proportional to an applied magnetic field. An analog-to-digital converter converts the analog signal to a digital signal that is provided to a digital signal processing unit, which is configured to digitally track the analog output signal. The digital tracking unit comprises a delay removal circuitry configured to generate a plurality of digital signal component corresponding to a chopping phase. A non-delayed offset compensated digital output signal may be generated within the chopping phase by mathematically operating upon (e.g., adding or subtracting) the plurality of digital signal components, generated by the delay removal circuitry. | 09-20-2012 |
20120262317 | SYSTEM INCLUDING FEEDBACK CIRCUIT WITH DIGITAL CHOPPING CIRCUIT - A system including a first circuit, a second circuit, and a feedback circuit. The first circuit is configured to provide input signals. The second circuit is configured to receive the input signals and provide digital output signals that correspond to the input signals. The feedback circuit includes a chopping circuit, an integrator circuit, and a digital to analog converter circuit. The digital to analog converter circuit is configured to convert an error signal into an analog signal that is received by the second circuit to reduce ripple error. | 10-18-2012 |
20120285255 | STRESS SENSING DEVICES AND METHODS - Embodiments relate to stress sensors and methods of sensing stress. In an embodiment, a stress sensor comprises a vertical resistor. The vertical resistor can comprise, for example, an n-type resistor and can have various operating modes. The various operating modes can depend on a coupling configuration of terminals of the resistor and can provide varying piezo-coefficients with very similar temperature coefficients of resistances. Comparisons of resistances and piezo-coefficients in differing operating modes can provide a measure of mechanical stresses acting on the device. | 11-15-2012 |
20120286776 | Low Offset Vertical Hall Device and Current Spinning Method - One embodiment of the present invention relates to a vertical Hall-effect device. The device includes at least two supply terminals arranged to supply electrical energy to the first Hall-effect region; and at least one Hall signal terminal arranged to provide a first Hall signal from the first Hall-effect region. The first Hall signal is indicative of a magnetic field which is parallel to the surface of the semiconductor substrate and which acts on the first Hall-effect region. One or more of the at least two supply terminals or one or more of the at least one Hall signal terminal comprises a force contact and a sense contact. | 11-15-2012 |
20130009620 | SYSTEM INCLUDING AN OFFSET VOLTAGE ADJUSTED TO COMPENSATE FOR VARIATIONS IN A TRANSISTOR - A system including a first transistor, a first capacitor and a circuit. The first transistor has a first control input and is configured to regulate an output voltage. The first capacitor is coupled at one end to the first control input and at another end to a circuit reference. The circuit is configured to provide a first voltage to the first control input, where the first voltage includes an offset voltage that is referenced to the output voltage and adjusted to compensate for variations in the first transistor. | 01-10-2013 |
20130009678 | SYSTEM PROVIDING A SWITCHED OUTPUT SIGNAL AND A HIGH RESOLUTION OUTPUT SIGNAL - A system includes a sensing system, a first chopped circuit, a second chopped circuit, and a multiplexer. The sensing system is configured to provide input signals. The first chopped circuit is configured to switch in response to the input signals crossing a first limit and to provide a first output signal that is valid during some chopping phases. The second chopped circuit is configured to switch in response to the input signals crossing a second limit and to provide a second output signal that is valid during other chopping phases. The multiplexer is configured to switch between the first output signal and the second output signal to provide a valid output signal during all chopping phases. | 01-10-2013 |
20130029432 | THIN-WAFER CURRENT SENSORS - Embodiments relate to IC current sensors fabricated using thin-wafer manufacturing technologies. Such technologies can include processing in which dicing before grinding (DBG) is utilized, which can improve reliability and minimize stress effects. While embodiments utilize face-up mounting, face-down mounting is made possible in other embodiments by via through-contacts. IC current sensor embodiments can present many advantages while minimizing drawbacks often associated with conventional IC current sensors. | 01-31-2013 |
20130200909 | SENSOR SELF-DIAGNOSTICS USING MULTIPLE SIGNAL PATHS - Embodiments relate to systems and methods for self-diagnostics and/or error detection using multiple signal paths in sensor and other systems. In an embodiment, a sensor system comprises at least two sensors, such as magnetic field sensors, and separate signal paths associated with each of the sensors. A first signal path can be coupled to a first sensor and a first digital signal processor (DSP), and a second signal path can be coupled to a second sensor and a second DSP. A signal from the first DSP can be compared with a signal from the second DSP, either on-chip or off, to detect faults, errors, or other information related to the operation of the sensor system. Embodiments of these systems and/or methods can be configured to meet or exceed relevant safety or other industry standards, such as safety integrity level (SIL) standards. | 08-08-2013 |
20130214775 | VERTICAL HALL DEVICE WITH ELECTRICAL 180 DEGREE SYMMETRY - A vertical Hall device indicative of a magnetic field parallel to a surface of a substrate comprises first, second, third and fourth terminals. The vertical Hall device further comprises contacts to generate a Hall effect signal indicative of the magnetic field. At least one pair of Hall effect regions is provided which comprises a first Hall effect region and a second Hall effect region formed in the substrate. A first group of the contacts is arranged in or at a surface of the first Hall effect region, the first group comprising a first and second outmost contacts. A second group of contacts is arranged in or at a surface of the second Hall effect region, the second group comprising third and fourth outmost contacts. Each of the first, second, third and fourth terminals is connected to a same number of outmost contacts. | 08-22-2013 |
20130241540 | Apparatus, Sensor Circuit, and Method for Operating an Apparatus or a Sensor Circuit - A sensor system comprises a sensor element adapted to sense at least one physical quantity, wherein the sensor element is adapted to generate a sensor signal in response to the at least one physical quantity, an evaluation circuit adapted to detect a manipulation of the sensor system based on the sensor signal and stored reference values and to output an indication signal in response to a detected manipulation and a package, the package housing at least the sensor element and the evaluation circuit. | 09-19-2013 |
20130304422 | Increased Dynamic Range Sensor - Some aspects of the present disclosure provide for a sensor system having a large range between minimum and maximum allowed input quantities. In some embodiments, the sensor system has a nonlinear sensor and a linear sensor. The nonlinear sensor is generates a first nonlinear signal corresponding to a detected physical input quantity. The linear sensor generates a second linear signal corresponding to the detected physical input quantity. A signal processor receives the first nonlinear signal and the second linear signal and generates a composite output signal that corresponds to the detected physical input quantity. The composite output signal is a combination of the first nonlinear signal and the second linear signal that provides for a signal having a high sensitivity to small physical input quantities while avoiding saturation at large physical input quantities. | 11-14-2013 |
20130314075 | OFFSET ERROR COMPENSATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS IN SENSORS - Embodiments relate to reducing offset error in sensor systems. In embodiments, the sensitivity and offset of a sensor depend differently on some parameter, e.g. voltage, such that operating the sensor at two different values of the parameter can cancel the offset error. Embodiments can have applicability to stress sensors, Hall plates, vertical Hall devices, magnetoresistive sensors and others. | 11-28-2013 |
20140043085 | Feedback Control Circuit for a Hall Effect Device - A feedback control circuit comprises an adjustable element, a main signal path and a feedback control loop. The adjustable element is configured to offset a signal in accordance with an offset control signal and output an offset signal. The main signal path comprises a first comparator to process the offset signal to output a main signal. The feedback control loop comprises a second comparator to process the offset signal to output a tracking signal, a first signal evaluator to evaluate the tracking signal and a first controller to output the offset control signal based on the evaluated tracking signal. The feedback control loop further comprises a second signal evaluator to detect a difference between a signal property of the main signal and the tracking signal and a second controller to control one of the comparators or the adjustable element such that the difference is reduced. | 02-13-2014 |
20140077873 | CHOPPED CIRCUIT WITH AC AND DC RIPPLE ERROR FEEDBACK LOOPS - The present disclosure relate to a sensor system having a low offset error. In some embodiments, the sensor system comprises a sensor configured to generate a sensor signal, which is provided to a main signal path having a first chopping correction circuit and a second chopping correction circuit. The first and second chopping correction circuit chop the sensor signal at first and second frequencies to reduce offset errors, but in doing so generate first and second chopping ripple errors. A first digital offset feedback loop generates a first compensation signal, which is fed back into the main signal path to mitigate the first chopping ripple error. A second digital offset feedback loop generates a second compensation signal, which is fed back into the main signal path to mitigate the second chopping ripple error. | 03-20-2014 |
20140139285 | Chopper Amplifier - Various apparatuses and methods are described where a signal is amplified using a chopper amplifier arrangement, and ripples caused by said chopper amplifier arrangement are reduced. In some cases, this reduction of ripples is performed by controlling a voltage offset of an amplifier of said chopper amplifier arrangement. In other embodiments, a detection of ripples or a chopping of the chopper amplifier arrangement is at least temporarily disabled. | 05-22-2014 |
20140167990 | Accurate and Cost Efficient Linear Hall Sensor with Digital Output - One embodiment of the present invention relates to a magnetic sensor circuit having a magnetic field sensor device configured to generate a digital signal proportional to an applied magnetic field. An analog-to-digital converter converts the analog signal to a digital signal that is provided to a digital signal processing unit, which is configured to digitally track the analog output signal. The digital tracking unit comprises a delay removal circuitry configured to generate a plurality of digital signal component corresponding to a chopping phase. A non-delayed offset compensated digital output signal may be generated within the chopping phase by mathematically operating upon (e.g., adding or subtracting) the plurality of digital signal components, generated by the delay removal circuitry. | 06-19-2014 |
20140183534 | THIN-WAFER CURRENT SENSORS - Embodiments relate to IC current sensors fabricated using thin-wafer manufacturing technologies. Such technologies can include processing in which dicing before grinding (DBG) is utilized, which can improve reliability and minimize stress effects. While embodiments utilize face-up mounting, face-down mounting is made possible in other embodiments by via through-contacts. IC current sensor embodiments can present many advantages while minimizing drawbacks often associated with conventional IC current sensors. | 07-03-2014 |
20140239426 | CURRENT SENSORS AND METHODS - Embodiments relate to current sensors and methods. In an embodiment, a current sensor comprises a leadframe; a semiconductor die coupled to the leadframe; a conductor comprising a metal layer on the semiconductor die, the conductor comprising at least one bridge portion and at least two slots, a first slot having a first tip and a second slot having a second tip, a distance between the first and second tips defining a width of one of the at least one bridge portion, wherein the conductor is separated from the leadframe by at least a thickness of the semiconductor die, and the thickness is about 0.2 millimeters (mm) to about 0.7 mm; and at least one magnetic sensor element arranged on the die relative to and spaced apart from the one of the at least one bridge portion and more proximate the conductor than the leadframe. | 08-28-2014 |
20140306701 | VERTICAL HALL SENSOR CIRCUIT COMPRISING STRESS COMPENSATION CIRCUIT - A vertical Hall sensor circuit comprises an arrangement comprising a vertical Hall effect region of a first doping type, formed within a semiconductor substrate and having a stress dependency with respect to a Hall effect-related electrical characteristic. The vertical Hall sensor circuit further comprises a stress compensation circuit which comprises at least one of a lateral resistor arrangement and a vertical resistor arrangement. The lateral resistor arrangement has a first resistive element and a second resistive element, which are parallel to a surface of the semiconductor substrate and orthogonal to each other, for generating a stress-dependent lateral resistor arrangement signal on the basis of a reference signal inputted to the stress compensation circuit. The vertical resistor arrangement has a third resistive element of the first doping type for vertically conducting an electric current flow, for generating a stress-dependent vertical resistor arrangement signal on the basis of the reference signal. The vertical Hall sensor circuit further comprises a first circuit for providing a first signal to the arrangement, the first signal being based on at least one of the stress-dependent lateral resistor arrangement signal and the stress-dependent vertical resistor arrangement signal. | 10-16-2014 |
20140312934 | LOW-POWER MAGNETIC SLOPE DETECTING CIRCUIT - One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method and apparatus to perform a low power activation of a system by measuring the slope of a digital signal corresponding to a motion sensor measurement value. In one embodiment, a low power activation circuit is coupled to magnetic motion sensor configured to output a magnetic signal proportional to a measured magnetic field. The low power activation circuit may comprise a digital tracking circuit configured to provide a digital signal that tracks the magnetic field and a difference detector configured to detect a difference between a current digital signal and a prior digital signal stored in a digital storage means. If the detected difference is larger than a digital reference level, an activation signal is output to awaken a system from a sleep mode. | 10-23-2014 |
20140368267 | CHOPPED CIRCUIT WITH AC AND DC RIPPLE ERROR FEEDBACK LOOPS - The present disclosure relate to a sensor system having a low offset error. In some embodiments, the sensor system comprises a sensor configured to generate a sensor signal, which is provided to a main signal path having a first chopping correction circuit and a second chopping correction circuit. The first and second chopping correction circuit chop the sensor signal at first and second frequencies to reduce offset errors, but in doing so generate first and second chopping ripple errors. A first digital offset feedback loop generates a first compensation signal, which is fed back into the main signal path to mitigate the first chopping ripple error. A second digital offset feedback loop generates a second compensation signal, which is fed back into the main signal path to mitigate the second chopping ripple error. | 12-18-2014 |
20150061661 | LOW OFFSET VERTICAL HALL DEVICE AND CURRENT SPINNING METHOD - One embodiment of the present invention relates to a vertical Hall-effect device. The device includes at least two supply terminals arranged to supply electrical energy to the first Hall-effect region; and at least one Hall signal terminal arranged to provide a first Hall signal from the first Hall-effect region. The first Hall signal is indicative of a magnetic field which is parallel to the surface of the semiconductor substrate and which acts on the first Hall-effect region. One or more of the at least two supply terminals or one or more of the at least one Hall signal terminal comprises a force contact and a sense contact. | 03-05-2015 |
20150070008 | MAGNETIC FIELD SENSORS AND SYSTEMS WITH SENSOR CIRCUIT PORTIONS HAVING DIFFERENT BIAS VOLTAGES AND FREQUENCY RANGES - Embodiments relate to Hall effect sensor circuits and devices that provide improved performance, such as reduced residual offset errors and/or improved S/N ratios. In an embodiment, a Hall effect sensor circuit comprises two circuit portions, a first with a higher bandwidth for higher frequencies and having an improved S/N ratio, and a second with a lower bandwidth for lower frequencies and having low residual offset. First and second Hall plates or devices are incorporated in the first and second circuit portions. The first Hall plate can be operated with a larger bias voltage and a larger, high-pass-filtered signal bandwidth, while the second Hall plate can be operated with a smaller bias voltage and a smaller, low-pass-filtered signal bandwidth. Individual output signals from each of the first and second Hall plates can be scaled and combined to provide an overall output signal with the benefits of each circuit portion, including reduced residual offset error and negligible increased noise. | 03-12-2015 |