Allegro Microsystems, LLC

P Karl Scheller

Ravi Vig

William P Taylor

Andreas P Friedrich

Paul A David

Andrea Foletto

Jay M Towne

Devon Fernandez

Michael C Doogue

Kristann L Moody

Glenn A Forrest

Eric G Shoemaker

Christine M Graham

Steven E Snyder

Teri L Tu

Sam Tran

Daniel S Dwyer

Michael Morris

James E Burgess

Jeff Eagen

Eric Burdette

Hitoshi Yabusaki

Mathew Drouin

Mark J Donovan

Gary T Pepka

James M Bailey

Jason Stauth

Marie-Adelaide Lo

An integrated circuit package and method of fabrication are described. The integrated circuit package includes a lead frame having a first surface and a second opposing surface and a semiconductor die having a first, active surface in which circuitry is disposed and a second opposing surface attached to the first surface of the lead frame. A magnet attached to the second surface of the lead frame has a non-contiguous central region and at least one channel extending laterally from the central region. An overmold material forms an enclosure surrounding the magnet, semiconductor die, and a portion of the lead frame.

Integrated circuit package with magnet having a channel

A sensor includes a lead frame having a first surface, a second opposing surface, and a plurality of leads and a semiconductor die having a first surface attached to the first surface of the lead frame and a second, opposing surface. The sensor further includes a non-conductive mold material enclosing the die and at least a portion of the lead frame, a conductive coil secured to the non-conductive mold material, a mold material secured to the non-conductive mold material and enclosing the conductive coil, wherein the mold material has a central region and an element disposed in the central region of the mold material.

Sensor integrated circuit with integrated coil and element in central region of mold material

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for magnetic field sensors with self-test include a detection circuit to detect speed and direction of a target. One or more circuits to test accuracy of the detected speed and direction may be included. One or more circuits to test accuracy of an oscillator may also be included. One or more circuits to test the accuracy of an analog-to-digital converter may also be included. Additionally, one or more IDDQ and/or built-in-self test (BIST) circuits may be included.

Systems and methods for magnetic field sensors with self-test

A magnetic field sensor includes a lead frame, a semiconductor die, a conductive coil, a mandrel, and a non-conductive mold material. The lead frame has a first surface, a second opposing surface, at least one slot, and a plurality of leads. The semiconductor die has a first surface in which a magnetic field sensing element is disposed and a second opposing surface attached to the first surface of the lead frame. The conductive coil is secured to the second surface of the lead frame and configured to operate as a back bias magnet to provide a magnetic field used to detect movement of a target. The coil is would around the mandrel and the mandrel is comprised of a ferromagnetic material. The non-conductive mold material encloses the die, the conductive coil, the mandrel, and at least a portion of the lead frame.

Magnetic field sensor integrated circuit with an integrated coil enclosed with a semiconductor die by a mold material

A monitor circuit for monitoring a level of a first and second regulated source may monitor a voltage level of regulated voltages or a current level of regulated currents. In an embodiment, the monitor circuit includes circuitry responsive to a first regulated current and to a second regulated current. A first circuit responsive to the first regulated current and to the second regulated current generates a first error signal indicative of at least one of an overcurrent condition of the first regulated current and an undercurrent condition of the second regulated current. A second circuit responsive to the first regulated current and to the second regulated current generates a second error signal indicative of at least one of an undercurrent condition of the first regulated current and an overcurrent condition of the second regulated current. A method for monitoring the levels of first and second regulated sources is also provided.

Methods and apparatus for monitoring a level of a regulated source

A sensor includes a detector configured to sense a parameter, at least one test circuit configured to detect a respective fault condition of the sensor and generate a fault signal in response to detecting the fault condition, a checker configured to test the at least one test circuit to determine the operational status of the at least one test circuit, and an output signal generator, coupled to receive the sensed parameter, the fault signal, and the operational status of the at least one test circuit. The output signal generator is configured to generate an output signal of the sensor to communicate the sensed parameter and the operational status of the at least one test circuit.

Diagnostic circuits and methods for sensor test circuits

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.

Magnetic field sensor integrated circuit with an integrated coil

A monitor circuit for monitoring a level of a first and second regulated source may monitor a voltage level of regulated voltages or a current level of regulated currents. In an embodiment, the monitor circuit includes circuitry responsive to a first regulated voltage and to a second regulated voltage. A first circuit responsive to the first regulated voltage and to the second regulated voltage generates a first error signal indicative of at least one of an overvoltage condition of the first regulated voltage and an undervoltage condition of the second regulated voltage. A second circuit responsive to the first regulated voltage and to the second regulated voltage generates a second error signal indicative of at least one of an undervoltage condition of the first regulated voltage and an overvoltage condition of the second regulated voltage. A method for monitoring the levels of first and second regulated sources is also provided.

In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a magnetic field sensor to detect speed and direction of angular rotation of a rotating magnetic structure. The magnetic field sensor includes at least two magnetic field sensing elements configured to sense changes in a magnetic field caused by rotation of the magnetic structure. The IC also includes an output port configured to provide an output signal of the magnetic field sensor. The output signal indicates the speed and one of the direction or a fault.

Magnetic field sensor to detect speed of angular rotation of a rotating magnetic structure, direction of the rotating magnetic structure or fault

In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a magnetic field sensor to detect speed and direction of angular rotation of a rotating magnetic structure. The magnetic field sensor includes at least two magnetic field sensing elements configured to sense changes in a magnetic field caused by rotation of the magnetic structure. The IC also includes an output port configured to provide an output signal of the magnetic field sensor. The frequency of the output signal indicates the speed and the direction or indicates a fault.

Frequency of an output signal of a magnetic field sensor to detect speed and direction of angular rotation of a rotating magnetic structure or a fault

In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a magnetic field sensor to detect speed and direction of angular rotation of a rotating magnetic structure. The magnetic field sensor includes at least two magnetic field sensing elements configured to sense changes in a magnetic field caused by rotation of the magnetic structure. The IC also includes an output port configured to provide an output signal of the magnetic field sensor. A duty cycle percentage of the output signal indicates the speed and the direction or indicates a fault.

Duty cycle of an output signal of a magnetic field sensor to detect speed and direction of angular rotation of a rotating magnetic structure or a fault

A sensor integrated circuit includes an energy storage device having a first terminal coupled to a functional circuit and a blocking circuit coupled between a power supply pin and the first terminal of the energy storage device. The blocking circuit permits the energy storage device to store energy from an external power supply coupled to the power pin. The first terminal of the energy storage device is inaccessible from outside of the sensor IC. Additional features of the sensor IC can include a high regulator, a low regulator, and a low power circuit.

Apparatus and methods for extending sensor integrated circuit operation through a power disturbance

A magnetic field sensor for sensing motion of a ferromagnetic object comprises a substrate. The substrate includes first and second major surfaces, each having a width dimension and a length dimension. The magnetic field sensor further comprises a magnet. The magnet includes a first major surface proximate to the substrate, the first major surface of the magnet heaving a width and a length, and a second major surface. The magnetic field sensor further includes first and second magnetic field sensing dements. The first magnetic field sensing element and the second magnetic field sensing element are positioned beyond respective ends of the width of the magnet. The second magnetic field sensing element is substantially farther from the ferromagnetic object than the first magnetic field sensing element. A line passing through the first and second magnetic field sensing elements is perpendicular to the magnet axis.

Arrangements for magnetic field sensors that act as tooth detectors

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. An electromagnetic suppressor comprising a ferromagnetic material encloses a passive device spaced from the non-conductive mold material and coupled to a plurality of leads.

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Bow, NH, United States of America

P Karl Scheller