Allegro Microsystems, LLC

Robert A Briano

William P Taylor

Shixi Louis Liu

Alejandro Gabriel Milesi

Michael C Doogue

Paul A David

Alexander Latham

Simon Rock

Cory Voisine

Wade Bussing

Natasha Healey

Rishikesh Nikam

Timothy A Clark

Pedram Sotoodeh Shahnani

Bradley Boden

A sensor package comprising a lead frame, a current sensor die, and an interposer. The lead frame includes: (i) a primary conductor, (ii) a plurality of secondary leads, and (iii) a layer of dielectric material that is disposed between the primary conductor and the plurality of secondary leads. The current sensor die includes one or more sensing elements. The current sensor die is configured to measure a level of electrical current through the primary conductor of the lead frame. The interposer is disposed over the layer of dielectric material. The interposer includes a plurality of conductive traces that are configured to couple each of a plurality of terminals of the current sensor die to a respective one of the plurality of secondary leads.

Leadless current sensor package with high isolation

Methods and apparatus for a signal isolator having enhanced creepage characteristics. In embodiments, an isolator includes a leadframe having first and second die paddles each having opposed first and second surfaces, a first die supported by the first surface of the first die paddle, and a second die supported by the first surface of the second die paddle. The first and second die paddles are configured enhanced creepage characteristics.

Signal isolator having enhanced creepage characteristics

A packaged current sensor integrated circuit includes a primary conductor having an input portion and an output portion configured to carry a current to be measured by one or more magnetic sensing elements supported by a semiconductor die adjacent to the primary conductor. A method of fabricating the packaged current sensor integrated circuit includes partially encasing the lead frame in a first mold material, applying an insulator to one or more die attach pads, attaching a die to the insulator, electrically connecting the die to secondary leads, and providing a second mold to the subassembly. The package is configured to provide increased voltage isolation.

Packaged current sensor integrated circuit

Methods and apparatus for a signal isolator having enhanced creepage characteristics. In embodiments, a signal isolator IC package comprises a leadframe including a die paddle having a first surface to support a die and an exposed second surface. A die is supported by a die paddle wherein a width of the second surface of the die paddle is less than a width of the die.

A packaged current sensor integrated circuit includes a primary conductor having an input portion and an output portion configured to carry a current to be measured by a magnetic sensing element supported by a semiconductor die adjacent to the primary conductor. The primary current path contains a mechanical locking feature. The thickness of the molded body of the package is reduced to improve vibration immunity.

Methods and apparatus for a signal isolator having reduced parasitics. An example embodiment, a signal isolator and include a first metal region electrically connected to a first die portion, a second die portion isolated from the first die portion, and a second metal region electrically connected to the second die portion. A third metal region can be electrically isolated from the first and second metal regions and a third die portion can be electrically isolated from the first, second and third metal regions. In embodiments, the first metal region, the second metal region, and the third metal region provide a first isolated signal path from the first die portion to the second die portion.

Signal isolator having at least one isolation island

Methods and apparatus for a current sensor having an elongate current conductor having an input and an output and a longitudinal axis. First, second, third and fourth magnetic field sensing elements are coupled in a bridge configuration and positioned in a plane parallel to a surface of the current conductor such that the second and fourth magnetic field sensing elements comprise inner elements and the first and third magnetic field sensing elements comprise outer elements. Embodiments of the sensor reduce the effects of stray fields on the sensor.

Current sensor having stray field immunity

A packaged current sensor integrated circuit includes a primary conductor having an input portion and an output portion configured to carry a current to be measured by a magnetic sensing element supported by a semiconductor die adjacent to the primary conductor. Each of the input portion and output portion of the primary conductor is exposed from orthogonal sides of the package body. A fault signal may be provided to indicate an overcurrent condition in the integrated current sensor package. The primary current path may be made of a thick lead frame material to reduce the primary current path resistance.

Methods and apparatus for measuring a current difference between at least two current traces in a circuit board. Each wire or trace generates a magnetic field which may then be measured by at least one magnetic field sensing element positioned on an integrated circuit, such as a current sensor integrated circuit or a differential magnetic field sensor integrated circuit. An output disconnect signal may be provided from the current sensor or differential magnetic field sensing integrated circuit to indicate that a current difference above a predetermined threshold exists in the two or more current traces.

Differential current sensor

Methods and apparatus for monitoring the integrity of an insulative material. A monitoring module detects a leakage current corresponding to an injection signal into the insulative material by a signal source. An output can provide an insulation fault signal when the leakage current is greater than a given threshold.

Integrated circuit having insulation monitoring with frequency discrimination

A signal isolator integrated circuit package includes a first circuit having a first input and a first output, a second circuit having a second input and a second output, an isolation barrier layer between the first circuit and the second circuit, wherein the second output of the second circuit is coupled to the first input of the first circuit through the isolation barrier. The signal isolator includes a comparator configured to compare the first input of the first circuit to the second output of the second circuit. The second output can be configured to convey at least three states, including a first state indicative of a logical high of an input signal received at the first input, a second state indicative of a logical low of the input signal, and a third state indicative of a fault condition.

Signal isolator with three state data transmission

Methods and apparatus for an IC package having an impedance detector module configured to have: a first connection to a first external energy source via a first IO pin of the IC package and a second connection to a detection component. In embodiments, the detection component is configured for connection to a first ground for the first external energy source via a second IO pin of the IC package, and to a barrier component, which is configured for connection to a second ground for a second external energy source via a third IO pin of the IC package. The impedance detector module is configured to detect a disconnection or degradation of a connection to ground.

Ground disconnect detection for multiple voltage domains

Methods and apparatus for an integrated circuit having first and second domains with an insulative material electrically isolating the first and second domains. A conductive shield is disposed between the first and second domains and a current sensor has at least one magnetoresistive element proximate the shield to detect current flow in the shield due to breakdown of the insulative material.

Growing community of inventors

Auburn, NH, United States of America

Robert A Briano