Allegro Microsystems, LLC

Cédric Gillet

Andreas P Friedrich

Andrea Foletto

Yannick Vuillermet

Loïc André Messier

Emanuele Andrea Casu

Xavier Blanc

Florian Kulla

Christophe Lutz

Emil Pavlov

Florencia Ferrer

Nicolás Rigoni

Benjamin Geiger

A sensor integrated circuit (IC) includes a sensing element configured to sense a parameter associated with a target, a processor coupled to the sensing element and configured to generate a sensed signal indicative of the parameter associated with the target, and an output module coupled to receive the sensed signal. The output module is configured to transmit absolute data on a message line at a first rate and transmit incremental data on one or more index lines at a second rate, wherein the second rate is faster than the first rate, wherein the incremental data comprises data associated with changes in the absolute data and wherein an edge or a pulse is used to indicate an incremental change has occurred in the absolute data.

Sensor signaling of absolute and incremental data

A method can use a current sensor that can include a magnetic flux concentrator along with first and second magnetic field sensing elements disposed proximate to the magnetic flux concentrator, wherein the magnetic flux concentrator is operable to influence a direction of first and second magnetic fields at the first and second magnetic field sensing elements, respectively, the first and second magnetic fields resulting from an electrical current passing through a conductor, the first and second magnetic field sensing elements operable to generate first and second signals, respectively, in response to the first and second magnetic fields, respectively, wherein the current sensor can also include a differencing circuit operable to subtract the first and second signals to generate a difference signal related to the electrical current.

Current sensor having a flux concentrator for redirecting a magnetic field through two magnetic field sensing elements

A system, comprising: a processing circuitry configured to: receive a first signal that is indicative of a flux density of a magnetic field, the magnetic field being generated by a rotating target; identify a level of a predetermined type of peak in the first signal, the predetermined type of peak occurring once during each revolution of the target; and output a reference signal when an instant level of the first signal matches the level of the predetermined type of peak.

Rotary inductive sensor

An apparatus is provided, comprising: a plurality of terminals for coupling the apparatus to a sensing bridge; a switching circuitry that is coupled to at least one of the plurality of terminals; and a processing circuitry that is configured to: cause the switching circuitry to couple the plurality of terminals to a voltage source, a ground source, and the processing circuitry in accordance with a first connection profile; detect a failure of the sensing bridge or a connection between the sensing bridge and any of the plurality of terminals; select a second connection profile based on a type of the failure; and cause the switching circuitry to couple the plurality of terminals to the voltage source, the ground source, and the processing circuitry in accordance with the second connection profile.

Dynamic bridge diagnostic

A method of detecting a vibration comprises determining a vibration flag has been set during a running mode, entering a vibration mode, providing direction information for a target object during the vibration mode of the magnetic field sensor, holding onto positive peak values and negative peak values of the magnetic field signal during the vibration mode of the magnetic field sensor, and returning to the running mode after receiving at least two clock cycles of the magnetic field signal with no further vibration flags set.

System and method for vibration detection with no loss of position information using a magnetic field sensor

A magnetic field sensor including at least one magnetoresistance element configured to generate a magnetic field signal indicative of a magnetic field associated with a target having features and spaced from the at least one magnetoresistance element by an airgap. The sensor includes a detector responsive to the magnetic field signal and to a threshold level to generate a sensor output signal containing transitions, each transition associated with a feature of the target and occurring in response to the magnetic field signal crossing the threshold level. The sensor includes a threshold generator configured to generate the threshold level having a rising threshold level limit and a falling threshold level limit.

Magnetic field sensor with threshold level limits and associated methods

Embodiments provide systems and methods for determining a position of a gear shift lever of a vehicle. A ferromagnetic target object having selected characteristics influences a magnetic field generated by a back bias magnet. A magnetic field sensor includes magnetic field sensing elements disposed proximate to the target object. Each magnetic field sensing element generates an electronic signal in response to sensed magnetic fields. The gear shift lever moves among a plurality of gears of the vehicle. The magnetic field sensor selects a set of the magnetic field sensing elements to determine a magnetic field difference based on a difference of amplitudes between the electronic signals that is related to a current position of the gear shift lever. Characteristics of the target object enable the magnetic field sensor to detect the position of the gear shift lever. The characteristics include edges proximate to a perimeter of the target object.

Enhanced neutral gear sensor

A system and an associated method provide an ability to sense, with a magnetic field sensor, a position of a plurality of gears (and neutral) selected by a gear shift lever of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the system and method use a ferromagnetic target having features, positions of which can be sensed by the magnetic field sensor. In other embodiments, the system and method use a magnet having features and characteristics that can be sensed by the magnetic field sensor.

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Annecy, France

Cédric Gillet