| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080297138 | CURRENT SENSOR - An integrated circuit current sensor includes a lead frame having at least two leads coupled to provide a current conductor portion, and a substrate having a first surface in which is disposed one or more magnetic field sensing elements, with the first surface being proximate to the current conductor portion and a second surface distal from the current conductor position. In one particular embodiment, the substrate is disposed having the first surface of the substrate above the current conductor portion and the second surface of the substrate above the first surface. In this particular embodiment, the substrate is oriented upside-down in the integrated circuit in a flip-chap arrangement. The current sensor can also include an electromagnetic shield disposed between the current conductor portion and the magnetic field sensing elements. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20090058412 | Integrated Current Sensor - An integrated current sensor includes a current conductor, a magnetic field transducer, and an electromagnetic shield. The magnetic field transducer includes a sensor die. The electromagnetic shield is disposed proximate to the sensor die. The electromagnetic shield has at least one feature selected to reduce an eddy current in the electromagnetic shield | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090102464 | MATCHING OF GMR SENSORS IN A BRIDGE - A magnetoresistive (MR) sensing device includes MR elements electrically connected to form a bridge circuit and one or more non-functional (or “dummy”) MR elements for improved matching of the bridge circuit MR elements. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090212765 | MAGNETIC FIELD SENSOR WITH AUTOMATIC SENSITIVITY ADJUSTMENT - Magnetic field sensors have a magnetic field sensing element and also a feedback circuit to provide a gain-adjustment signal to affect a sensitivity associated with the magnetic field sensing element. In some arrangements, the feedback circuit can include piezoresistors to sense a strain of a substrate over which the magnetic field sensor is disposed. With these arrangements, the feedback circuit can generate the gain-adjustment signal in accordance with the sensed strain. In other arrangements, the feedback circuit can generate pulsed magnetic fields proximate to the magnetic field sensing element in order to directly measure the sensitivity of the magnetic field sensing element. With these arrangements, the feedback circuit can generate the gain-adjustment signal in accordance with the sensed sensitivity. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090212771 | HYSTERESIS OFFSET CANCELLATION FOR MAGNETIC SENSORS - Presented is a sensor that includes a magnetoresistive (MR) sensing device to sense a magnetic field and to produce an AC signal voltage proportional to the sensed magnetic field. The sensor also includes circuitry, coupled to the MR sensing device, to remove DC offset from the AC signal voltage. The DC offset may be related to the hysteresis characteristics of the MR sensing device. To remove DC offset, the circuitry may obtain an averaged DC offset and subtract the averaged DC offset from the AC signal voltage to produce a sensor output signal. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090295368 | ARRANGEMENTS FOR A CURRENT SENSING CIRCUIT AND INTEGRATED CURRENT SENSOR - An electronic circuit for sensing a current includes a circuit board having first and second major opposing surfaces and a current conductor for carrying the current. The current conductor includes a circuit trace disposed upon the circuit board. The electronic circuit also includes an integrated circuit disposed upon and electrically coupled to the circuit board at a position so as to straddle the current conductor. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20100001715 | FOLDING CURRENT SENSOR - The invention provides a current sensor that may be folded over a conductor without the need to sever the conductor or thread the conductor through the current sensor. In one embodiment, the current sensor includes an outer body having a first folding portion and a second folding portion coupled to the first folding portion. The current sensor also includes a soft ferromagnetic body disposed within the outer body comprising a first core element and a second core element. The first and second core elements form a lumen when the first and second folding portions are folded. The lumen is configured to receive a conductor. The current sensor also includes a magnetic field detector to sense a current in the conductor. The magnetic field detector is disposed at least partially between the first and second core elements when the first and second folding portions are folded. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100019332 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT HAVING ON CHIP CAPACITOR WITH EDDY CURRENT REDUCTIONS - Methods and apparatus for providing an integrated circuit including a substrate having a magnetic field sensor, first and second conductive layers generally parallel to the substrate, and a dielectric layer disposed between the first and second conductive layers such that the first and second conductive layers and the dielectric layer form a capacitor, wherein a slot is formed in at least one of the first and second conductive layers proximate the magnetic field sensor for reducing eddy currents in the first and second conductive layers. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100026288 | Electronic Circuit and Method for Resetting a Magnetoresistance Element - An electronic circuit includes a primary magnetoresistance element for providing a first output signal proportional to a magnetic field. The primary magnetoresistance element has a primary maximum response axis. The primary magnetoresistance element also has a hysteresis characteristic. The electronic circuit also includes a reset conductor disposed proximate to the magnetoresistance element. The electronic circuit also includes a secondary magnetic field sensing element for providing a second output signal proportional to a magnetic field. The secondary magnetic field sensing element has a secondary maximum response axis, which, in some embodiments, is substantially perpendicular to the primary maximum response axis. In operation, the primary magnetoresistance is reset in accordance with an excessive magnetic field sensed by the secondary magnetic field sensing element. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100026289 | Electronic Circuit Configured to Reset a Magnetoresistance Element - An electronic circuit includes a magnetoresistance element for providing an output signal proportional to a magnetic field. The magnetoresistance element also has a hysteresis characteristic. The electronic circuit also includes at least one of a reset conductor or a bias conductor disposed proximate to the magnetoresistance element. For embodiments having a reset conductor, the electronic circuit is configured to generate a reset current carried by the reset conductor in response to the comparison. In response to the reset current, the reset conductor is configured to generate a reset magnetic field at the magnetoresistance element to temporarily force the magnetoresistance element to a saturation region of the hysteresis characteristic. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100052424 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT HAVING INTEGRATED ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE - Methods and apparatus for a sensor to provide a sensor output, an integrated circuit module formed at least partially on a substrate to receive the sensor output and provide an IC output signal, an output circuit having a voltage input to receive a voltage supply signal via a switch element and a signal input to receive the IC output signal and an output to provide a voltage output signal, and an integrated power storage element coupled to the voltage input of the output circuit to provide power during an interruption of the voltage supply signal, wherein the power storage element includes at least one layer generally parallel to the substrate. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100141249 | Magnetic Field Sensors and Methods for Fabricating the Magnetic Field Sensors - Magnetic field sensors and associated methods of manufacturing the magnetic field sensors include molded structures to encapsulate a magnetic field sensing element and an associated die attach pad of a lead frame and to also encapsulate or form a magnet or a flux concentrator. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100181993 | DIRECTION DETECTION SENSOR - A sensor responsive to movement of a detection target includes a magnetic field transducer operative to provide a magnetic field signal proportional to a magnetic field associated with the detection target, a peak detector for tracking positive and negative peaks of the magnetic field signal to generate a tracking signal, and a comparator having a first input responsive to the magnetic field signal, a second input responsive to an input signal related to the tracking signal, and an output at which is provided an output signal comprising first pulses having a first pulse width when the detection target moves in a first direction and second pulses having a second pulse width when the detection target moves in a second direction. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100188078 | MAGNETIC SENSOR WITH CONCENTRATOR FOR INCREASED SENSING RANGE - A sensor that includes a magnetic flux concentrator is presented. The sensor includes a sensor integrated circuit with a structure that includes a magnetic field sensor to sense a magnetic field generated by an external magnetic flux source comprising a magnetic article. The stricture has a first surface to face the external magnetic flux source and an opposing second surface. The sensor integrated circuit also includes a lead frame connected to the structure and having a base portion with a first base portion surface to support the stricture and an opposing second base portion surface. Also provided in the sensor is a magnetic flux concentrator to concentrate magnetic flux of the magnetic field. The magnetic flux concentrator can be disposed proximate to the second base portion surface such that the structure and lead frame base portion are located between the magnetic flux concentrator and the external magnetic flux source when the sensor integrated circuit is positioned relative to the external magnetic flux source. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100237450 | Arrangements For An Integrated Sensor - An integrated circuit can have a first substrate supporting a magnetic field sensing element and a second substrate supporting another magnetic field sensing element. The first and second substrates can be arranged in a variety of configurations. Another integrated circuit can have a first magnetic field sensing element and second different magnetic field sensing element disposed on surfaces thereof. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100264909 | Circuits and Methods for Providing a Magnetic Field Sensor with an Adaptable Threshold - A magnetic field has a threshold that adapts in relation to a magnitude of a magnetic field signal representative of a movement of an object. A corresponding method adapts a threshold in relation to a magnitude of a magnetic field signal representative of a movement of an object. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100283458 | MATCHING OF GMR SENSORS IN A BRIDGE - A magnetoresistive (MR) sensing device includes MR elements electrically connected to form a bridge circuit and one or more non-functional (or “dummy”) MR elements for improved matching of the bridge circuit MR elements. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100330708 | METHODS FOR MULTI-STAGE MOLDING OF INTEGRATED CIRCUIT PACKAGE - Methods for providing an integrated circuit using a multi-stage molding process to protect wirebonds. In one embodiment, a method includes attaching a die to a leadframe having a lead finger, attaching a wirebond between the die and the leadfinger, applying a first mold material over at least a portion of the wirebond and the die and the leadfinger to form an assembly, waiting for the first mold material to at least partially cure, and applying a second mold material over the assembly. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110018533 | Circuits and Methods for Generating a Diagnostic Mode of Operation in a Magnetic Field Sensor - A magnetic field sensor includes a diagnostic circuit that allows a self-test of most of or all of, the circuitry of the magnetic field sensor, including a self-test of a magnetic field sensing element used within the magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor can generate a diagnostic magnetic field to which the magnetic field sensor is responsive. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110055442 | LINEAR OR ROTATIONAL MOTOR DRIVER IDENTIFICATION - A mechanism for assigning unique addresses to identical devices attached to a serial bus is presented. Each device has at least one output and is provided with a storage device to provide a configurable portion of a bus address having a fixed portion and a configurable portion. The device is further provided with circuitry, coupled to the storage device and the output, to determine a state of the output and use the state to configure the configurable portion. Once the configurable portion is configured, the bus address uniquely identifies the device. Such configuration allows more than one such device to be coupled to the same serial bus, e.g., an I | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110074405 | Magnetic Field Sensor with Automatic Sensitivity Adjustment - Magnetic field sensors have a magnetic field sensing element and also a feedback circuit to provide a gain-adjustment signal to affect a sensitivity associated with the magnetic field sensing element. In some arrangements, the feedback circuit can include piezoresistors to sense a strain of a substrate over which the magnetic field sensor is disposed. With these arrangements, the feedback circuit can generate the gain-adjustment signal in accordance with the sensed strain. In other arrangements, the feedback circuit can generate pulsed magnetic fields proximate to the magnetic field sensing element in order to directly measure the sensitivity of the magnetic field sensing element. With these arrangements, the feedback circuit can generate the gain-adjustment signal in accordance with the sensed sensitivity. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110204460 | Integrated Hall Effect Element Having a Germanium Hall Plate - An integrated circuit and a method of making the integrated circuit provide a Hall effect element having a germanium Hall plate. The germanium Hall plate provides an increased electron mobility compared with silicon, and therefore, a more sensitive Hall effect element. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20120013333 | Magnetic Field Sensors and Methods for Fabricating the Magnetic Field Sensors - Magnetic field sensors and associated methods of manufacturing the magnetic field sensors include molded structures to encapsulate a magnetic field sensing element and an associated die attach pad of a lead frame and to also encapsulate or form a magnet or a flux concentrator. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120086090 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PASSIVE ATTACHMENT OF COMPONENTS FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - Methods and apparatus provide a sensor including a component coupled to the leadframe such that the component is an integrated part of the IC package. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120313636 | HYSTERESIS OFFSET CANCELLATION FOR MAGNETIC SENSORS - Presented is a sensor that includes a magnetoresistive (MR) sensing device to sense a magnetic field and to produce an AC signal voltage proportional to the sensed magnetic field. The sensor also includes circuitry, coupled to the MR sensing device, to remove DC offset from the AC signal voltage. The DC offset may be related to the hysteresis characteristics of the MR sensing device. To remove DC offset, the circuitry may obtain an averaged DC offset and subtract the averaged DC offset from the AC signal voltage to produce a sensor output signal. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20130134965 | Circuits and Methods for Generating a Self-Test of a Magnetic Field Sensor - A magnetic field sensor includes built in self-test circuits that allow a self-test of most of, or all of, the circuitry of the magnetic field sensor, including self-test of a magnetic field sensing element used within the magnetic field sensor, while the magnetic field sensor is functioning in normal operation. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130181304 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC SENSOR HAVING NON-CONDUCTIVE DIE PADDLE - Methods and apparatus to provide an integrated circuit package having a conductive leadframe, a non-conductive die paddle mechanically coupled to the leadframe, and a die disposed on the die paddle and electrically connected to the leadframe. With this arrangement, eddy currents are reduced near the magnetic field transducer to reduce interference with magnetic fields. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130249027 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT PACKAGE HAVING A SPLIT LEAD FRAME - A magnetic field sensor includes a lead frame having a plurality of leads, at least two of which have a connection portion and a die attach portion. A semiconductor die is attached to the die attach portion of the at least two leads. The sensor further includes at least one wire bond coupled between the die and a first surface of the lead frame. The die is attached to a second, opposing surface of the lead frame in a lead on chip configuration. In some embodiments, at least one passive component is attached to the die attach portion of at least two leads. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130249029 | Magnetic Field Sensor Integrated Circuit with Integral Ferromagnetic Material - A magnetic field sensor includes a lead frame, a semiconductor die having a first surface in which a magnetic field sensing element is disposed and a second surface attached to the lead frame, and a non-conductive mold material enclosing the die and at least a portion of the lead frame. The sensor may include a ferromagnetic mold material secured to a portion of the non-conductive mold material. Features include a multi-sloped taper to an inner surface of a non-contiguous central region of the ferromagnetic mold material, a separately formed element disposed in the non-contiguous central region, one or more slots in the lead frame, a molded ferromagnetic suppression device spaced from the non-conductive mold material and enclosing a portion of a lead, a passive device spaced from the non-conductive mold material and coupled to a plurality of leads, and a ferromagnetic bead coupled to a lead. Also described is a coil secured to the non-conductive mold material and a lead having at least two separated portions with a passive component coupled across the two portions. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130249544 | Magnetic Field Sensor Integrated Circuit with Integral Ferromagnetic Material - A magnetic field sensor includes a lead frame, a semiconductor die supporting a magnetic field sensing element, a non-conductive mold material enclosing the die and a portion of the lead frame, a ferromagnetic mold material secured to the non-conductive mold material and a securing mechanism to securely engage the mold materials. The ferromagnetic mold material may comprise a soft ferromagnetic material to form a concentrator or a hard ferromagnetic material to form a bias magnet. The ferromagnetic mold material may be tapered and includes a non-contiguous central region, as may be an aperture or may contain the non-conductive mold material or an overmold material. Further embodiments include die up, lead on chip, and flip-chip arrangements, wafer level techniques to form the concentrator or bias magnet, integrated components, such as capacitors, on the lead frame, and a bias magnet with one or more channels to facilitate overmolding. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130249546 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT PACKAGE HAVING A SPLIT LEAD FRAME - A magnetic field sensor includes a lead frame having a plurality of leads, at least two of which have a connection portion and a die attach portion. A semiconductor die is attached to the die attach portion of the at least two leads. In some embodiments, at least one passive component is attached to the die attach portion of at least two leads. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130264667 | Magnetic Field Sensors and Methods for Fabricating the Magnetic Field Sensors - Magnetic field sensors and associated methods of manufacturing the magnetic field sensors include molded structures to encapsulate a magnetic field sensing element and an associated die attach pad of a lead frame and to also encapsulate or form a magnet or a flux concentrator. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130265036 | MAGNETIC FIELD SENSOR HAVING MULTIPLE SENSING ELEMENTS FOR MISALIGNMENT DETECTION AND CORRECTION IN CURRENT SENSING AND OTHER APPLICATIONS - A sensor with multiple magnetic field sensing elements for use in current sensing and other applications is presented. The sensor includes an arrangement of two or more magnetic field sensing elements to sense magnetic field associated with a target. The sensor further includes circuitry to generate a sensor output signal based on sensing of at least one of the magnetic field sensing elements of the arrangement. Also included is a programmable misalignment adjustment block to control the circuitry to generate the output signal with compensation for misalignment between the sensor and the target. The programmable misalignment adjustment block can be programmed to select measurement of one of the two or more magnetic field sensing elements, or alternatively, a mathematical combination of measurements of the two or more magnetic field sensing elements, for generating the sensor output signal when a test of the sensor indicates a misalignment. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130265037 | ANGLE SENSOR WITH MISALIGNMENT DETECTION AND CORRECTION - An angle sensor to provide sensor-to-magnet misalignment detection and correction capability in rotation angle measurement applications is presented. The angle sensor has magnetic field sensing elements to sense magnetic field associated with a rotating magnet. The angle sensor includes circuitry to generate signals based on the sensing by the sensing elements. The signals provide information that can be combined according to an error function to provide misalignment detection. The angle sensor can be used with or can be incorporated in an angle measurement device that employs a processing unit to produce a rotation angle value. In one embodiment, the processing unit is configured to implement the error function and correct the angle value for detected misalignment. In another embodiment, the error function is performed by a programming device and detected misalignment is corrected through mechanical adjustment of sensor-to-magnet position. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130265041 | HIGH ACCURACY DIFFERENTIAL CURRENT SENSOR FOR APPLICATIONS LIKE GROUND FAULT INTERRUPTERS - A sensor with multiple magnetic field sensing elements for use in current sensing and other applications is presented. In one configuration, the sensor can obtain differential and absolute current measurements of current in current-carrying conductors. When employed in a ground fault interrupter (GFI) application, a first magnetic field sensing element can be used to measure the absolute current flowing in the phase conductor (phase current), a second magnetic field sensing element can be used to measure the absolute current flowing in the neutral conductor (neutral current) and a difference between the phase and neutral currents can be measured by a third magnetic field sensing element or determined from measurements of the first and second magnetic field sensing elements. In another configuration, the sensor can obtain a measure of the difference between currents and/or the sum of currents in current-carrying conductors. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130267043 | Magnetic Field Sensors and Methods for Fabricating the Magnetic Field Sensors - Magnetic field sensors and associated methods of manufacturing the magnetic field sensors include molded structures to encapsulate a magnetic field sensing element and an associated die attach pad of a lead frame and to also encapsulate or form a magnet or a flux concentrator. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130277782 | Arrangements For An Integrated Sensor - An integrated circuit can have a first substrate supporting a magnetic field sensing element and a second substrate supporting another magnetic field sensing element. The first and second substrates can be arranged in a variety of configurations. Another integrated circuit can have a first magnetic field sensing element and second different magnetic field sensing element disposed on surfaces thereof. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130277783 | Arrangements For An Integrated Sensor - An integrated circuit can have a first substrate supporting a magnetic field sensing element and a second substrate supporting another magnetic field sensing element. The first and second substrates can be arranged in a variety of configurations. Another integrated circuit can have a first magnetic field sensing element and second different magnetic field sensing element disposed on surfaces thereof. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130293220 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC SENSORS HAVING HIGHLY UNIFORM MAGNETIC FIELDS - Methods and apparatus for a magnetic sensor including an elliptical magnet to generate substantially circular concentric zones of similar flux density in a plane over and parallel to a surface of the magnet. The sensor can include a sensing element disposed a selected distance from the magnet and a substrate containing circuitry to process a signal from the sensing element to provide a sensor output. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20130300406 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC SENSOR HAVING INTEGRATED COIL - Methods and apparatus for a magnetic field sensor including a die, a coil proximate the die to generate a magnetic field, and a magnetic field sensing element having to detect changes in the magnetic field generated by the coil in response to a ferromagnetic target. | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130335066 | Circuits and Methods for Generating a Diagnostic Mode of Operation in a Magnetic Field Sensor - A magnetic field sensor includes a diagnostic circuit that allows a self-test of most of, or all of, the circuitry of the magnetic field sensor, including a self-test of a magnetic field sensing element used within the magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor can generate a diagnostic magnetic field to which the magnetic field sensor is responsive. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20140084400 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC SENSOR HAVING NON-CONDUCTIVE DIE PADDLE - Methods and apparatus to provide an integrated circuit package having a conductive leadframe, a non-conductive die paddle mechanically coupled to the leadframe, and a die disposed on the die paddle and electrically connected to the leadframe. With this arrangement, eddy currents are reduced near the magnetic field transducer to reduce interference with magnetic fields. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140167666 | Systems and Methods for Reduction of Motor Jitter While Driving an Electric Motor - An apparatus for driving a motor comprises a drive signal generation circuit configured to produce pulses on a pulse-width modulated drive signal in response to a control signal. A detection circuit is coupled to receive a commutation signal from the motor to monitor the speed of the motor. A control signal generation circuit is configured to dynamically generate the control signal so that a frequency of pulse-width modulated drive signal corresponds with the duration of the phase of the motor, so as to reduce the occurrence of an incomplete pulse on the drive signal. Methods for driving a motor are also disclosed. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140177674 | Systems and Methods for Processing Temperature Data or Other Signals - In an embodiment, a circuit is configured to produce a magnetic field signal having a frequency spectrum. The circuit may also produce a temperature signal. A modulation circuit may modulate the temperature signal with a frequency outside the frequency spectrum of the magnetic field signal. The modulated signal and the magnetic field signal may be combined to produce a combined signal. A separation circuit may be configured to separate component signals from the combined signal. The separation circuit may include a first filter, which, when applied to the combined signal, produces a filtered signal; a modulation circuit configured to shift the data representing the temperature signal to a baseband frequency; and a second filter configured to separate the data representing the temperature signal from the combined signal. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140266181 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC SENSOR HAVING AN EXTERNALLY ACCESSIBLE COIL - Methods and apparatus for magnetic field sensor having a sensing element, an analog circuit path coupled to the sensing element for generating an output voltage in response to a magnetic field applied to the sensing element, and a coil in proximity to the sensing element, the coil having a first terminal that is accessible external to the magnetic field sensor. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140312883 | Circuits and Methods for Generating a Self-Test of a Magnetic Field Sensor - A magnetic field sensor includes built in self-test circuits that allow a self-test of most of, or all of, the circuitry of the magnetic field sensor, including self-test of a magnetic field sensing element used within the magnetic field sensor, while the magnetic field sensor is functioning in normal operation. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140320124 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT PACKAGE HAVING A SPLIT LEAD FRAME AND A MAGNET - A magnetic field sensor includes a lead frame having a plurality of leads, at least two of which have a connection portion and a die attach portion. A semiconductor die is attached to the die attach portion of the at least two leads and a separately formed ferromagnetic element, such as a magnet, is disposed adjacent to the lead frame. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140333295 | MAGNETIC FIELD SENSOR WITH IMMUNITY TO EXTERNAL MAGNETIC INFLUENCES - A magnetic field sensor with enhanced immunity to external magnetic interference is presented. Included is a magnetic field signal generator and a demodulator. The magnetic field signal generator produces a magnetic field signal having a modulated signal portion in a first frequency band based on a sensed modulated AC bias magnetic field. The modulated AC bias magnetic field is produced by movement of ferromagnetic target relative to a bias coil when an AC signal is applied to the bias coil. When the magnetic field signal also includes an unwanted signal portion in a second frequency band based on external magnetic interference, demodulation performed by the demodulator results in the modulated signal portion being shifted from the first frequency band to a third frequency band and the unwanted signal portion being shifted to the first frequency band. The bias coil may be provided as part of the magnetic field sensor. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20150022187 | Arrangements for Magnetic Field Sensors That Act as Tooth Detectors - A variety of magnetic field sensor arrangements provide so-called “tooth detectors” using a simple low-cost magnet. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150022193 | Methods and Apparatus for Magnetic Sensor Having an Integrated Coil or Magnet to Detect a Non-Ferromagnetic Target - Methods and apparatus for detecting a magnetic field include a magnetic source configured to provide a magnetic field to induce an eddy current in a non-ferromagnetic target, and a magnetic field sensing element configured to detect the magnetic field as a result of the eddy current. The magnetic field provided by the magnetic source can be a static (i.e. DC) field or a changing (i.e. non-DC) field. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150022197 | MAGNET WITH OPPOSING DIRECTIONS OF MAGNETIZATION FOR A MAGNETIC SENSOR - In one aspect, a magnetic field sensor is configured to detect a ferromagnetic object. The magnetic field sensor includes a magnet that includes two North regions and two South regions configured to generate opposing directions of magnetization to form a magnetic flux. The magnetic field sensor also includes a magnetic field sensing element configured to generate an is output signal responsive to changes in the magnetic flux caused by movement of the ferromagnetic object. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150022198 | Method and Apparatus for Magnetic Sensor Producing a Changing Magnetic Field - Methods and apparatus for detecting a magnetic field include a semiconductor substrate, a coil configured to provide a changing magnetic field in response to a changing current in the coil; and a magnetic field sensing element supported by the substrate. The coil receives the changing current and, in response, generates a changing magnetic field. The magnetic field sensing element detects the presence of a magnetic target by detecting changes to the magnetic field caused by the target and comparing them to an expected value. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150061656 | Circuits and Methods for Generating a Threshold Signal Used in a Motion Detector In Accordance With a Least Common Multiple of a Set of Possible Quantities of Features Upon a Target - A circuit to detect a movement of an object provides a threshold selection module or a peak identifier module that uses one or more threshold signals identified prior to a present cycle of magnetic field signal in order to establish a threshold signal used for a present cycle of the magnetic field signal. A method associated with the circuit is also described. The circuit and method can be tailored to store values associated with a least common multiple of a set of possible quantities of detectable features on target objects. | 03-05-2015 |
