MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES SA

A method of determining a gradient of a magnetic field generated by a magnetic source, includes the steps of: a) providing a first sensor signal by a first magnetic sensor located at a first sensor location; b) providing a second sensor signal by a second magnetic sensor located at a second sensor location located at a second sensor location; c) determining a difference between the first and the second sensor signal; d) determining said gradient as a value proportional to a combination of said difference and a correction term being a predefined function of the first and the second signal, e.g. as G 1 =(s 1 −s 2 )+w*(s 1 +s 2 ). A device or system is configured to perform this method.

A sensing system is provided for contactless sensing of current. The system includes a conductor for generating a magnetic field as electric current flows through the conductor, the conductor having a predetermined width and comprising a hole with a predetermined hole width passing through the whole thickness of the conductor, and a magnetic sensor for measuring at least one component of the magnetic field generated by the conductor. The magnetic sensor overlaps the hole. The current sensing is done based on the measured magnetic field. The sensor is positioned at a predetermined distance over a top surface of the conductor. The width of the hole is at least 0.15 times the width of the conductor.

A sensing system and a method for sensing position include a first magnetic track comprising a first number of multipoles for generating a magnetic field solidarily fixed to a second magnetic track for generating a magnetic field and a second sensor for sensing magnetic field, forming a magnetic structure. At least two sensors are included. The first sensor is positioned proximal to the first magnetic track, closer to the first magnetic track than to the second magnetic track. The second sensor is positioned between the first sensor and the second magnetic track. The distance between the first sensor and the second magnetic track is larger than the distance between the second sensor and the second magnetic track. The magnetic flux density generated by the first and second magnetic tracks follow a ratio of two or more.

A method of determining an orientation of a magnet which is pivotable about a reference position having a predefined position relative to a silicon substrate, includes: providing a silicon substrate; determining a first/second magnetic field gradient along a first/second direction; determining a first/second angle based on said first/second magnetic field gradient and a first/second correction value. A sensor device configured for performing this method. A sensor system includes such sensor device and a magnet, optionally connected to a joystick.

A sensor device includes: a first set of nodes connectable to a first set of sensors, a forward signal path including: an analog circuit including at least one amplifier; a digitizer circuit for providing digital values; a digital processing circuit; a digital-to-analog conversion circuit for generating analog test signals based on digital test values provided by a diagnostic controller; a multiplexer for selectively routing signals from the first set of input nodes to the ASP in a first mode, and for routing the analog test signal to the ASP in a second mode; the DSP being configured to analyse the digital values and/or to determine an angle or a phase. The sensor device may further include a second set of nodes connectable to a second set of sensors, and/or said sensors.

Method of determining a position (f a sensor device movable relative to a magnetic source, or vice versa; the sensor device comprising at least two magnetic sensors; the method comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a plurality of magnetic sensor signals from said magnetic sensors; b) determining or estimating the position of the sensor device based on said plurality of sensor signals or signals derived therefrom; wherein step b) comprises: determining said position (sing an artificial neural network; the artificial neural network being a recurrent neural network trained for determining said position using at most three hundred trainable parameters per degree of freedom. A position sensor system. A position sensor device.

An integrated circuit having an error detection circuit for detecting an error in a connection with an electrical component. The error detection circuit includes a control circuit, a terminal arranged to connect the electrical component, and a driver coupled to the terminal and arranged to be controlled by the control circuit. The driver is arranged to drive a current on receipt of a control signal (Vctl) from the control circuit and the control circuit is further arranged to receive in response to the current a measurement signal via the terminal, to determine based on a characteristic of the measurement signal a possible error and to communicate an error signal based on the determining.

A sensor system includes: a magnetic source with a through-opening; a magnetic sensor located at a fixed position relative to the magnetic source; an object capable of influencing a magnetic field generated by the magnetic source, the object being movable relative to the magnetic source and being located completely outside of the through-opening; a processing circuit configured for providing a signal indicative of a presence, a position or an orientation of the movable object, or a value derived therefrom; wherein a smallest distance (sd 1 ) between the movable object and the magnetic source is smaller than a smallest distance (sd 2 ) between the movable object and the magnetic sensor, or wherein the magnetic source is located between the magnetic sensor and the movable object. A method is for determining a position of a movable object as well as a sensor module, a sensor device, and a sensor assembly.

A current sensor system for measuring an AC electrical current, includes: an electrical conductor portion for conducting the AC current and generating a first magnetic field; a U-shaped magnetic shielding partially surrounding said electrical conductor portion, and having a central shielding portion and two shielding leg portions; a metal plate or a metal layer arranged at a distance from the shielding legs portions for allowing eddy currents to flow and for generating a second magnetic field; a magnetic sensor device arranged between the conductor portion and the metal plate or metal layer, and between the shielding leg portions, configured for measuring a magnetic field component. The sensor system likewise includes a three-phase current sensor system.

A method is for producing a semiconductor wafer having a front side having at least one magnetic sensor element, and a back side, and an interconnection stack having at least one contact area; the method includes the steps of: m) mounting a carrier wafer to the front side; b) thinning the back side; c) providing at least one magnetic concentrator to the front side; d) providing at least one magnetic concentrator to the back side. A magnetic sensor device includes a semiconductor substrate with a magnetic sensor element, a front IMC, and a back IMC, located on opposite sides of the semiconductor substrate.