Allegro Microsystems, LLC

Sam Tran

P Karl Scheller

Jay M Towne

Rémy Lassalle-Balier

Alejandro Gabriel Milesi

Kristann L Moody

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

Systems and methods described herein a sensor integrated circuit (IC) is provided having a protection circuit configured to protect circuitry within the IC from a transient pulse on a connection (i.e., power pin) to a power supply that is configured to provide power to the IC. The protection circuit can be disposed in a current path between a power pin of the IC and additional circuitry or nodes within the IC, such as but not limited to, a regulator or a bi-directional current source. The protection circuit includes a reverse blocking device having a first terminal coupled to the power supply at which a predetermined power supply voltage is provided and a second terminal coupled to an input of the regulator.

Systems and methods for transient pulse protection

Systems and methods described herein provide a sensor integrated circuit (IC) having a high voltage bi-directional current source and disconnect switch that are configured to suppress undesirable voltage artifacts. The sensor IC can include a power pin for coupling to an external power supply, a reference pin, and a functional circuit. The bi-directional current source can be disposed in a current path between the power pin and an energy storage device and be configured to control a current flow to the energy storage device and a current flow from the energy storage device.

Systems and methods for suppressing undesirable voltage supply artifacts

A magnetoresistance element structure disposed parallel to an x-y plane defined by an x-axis and a y-axis orthogonal to the x-axis can include a first magnetoresistance element having a plurality of first shapes coupled in series to result in the first magnetoresistance element having a first serpentine shape parallel to the x-y plane; and a second magnetoresistance element having a plurality of second shapes coupled in series to result in the second magnetoresistance element having a second serpentine shape parallel to the x-y plane, wherein the plurality of first shapes and the plurality of second shapes are disposed in an interdigitated pattern. A magnetic field sensor can use the above magnetoresistance element structure. Nested magnetoresistance elements and magnetic field sensors are also described.

Magnetic field sensor and magnetoresistance element structure having at least two magnetoresistance elements disposed in a proximate arrangement

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 an output port enabling measurement of a performance characteristic of the IC at a first temperature. The performance characteristic of the IC is a minimum value at the first temperature with respect to any other temperature. The first temperature may be room temperature.

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Lee, NH, United States of America

Sam Tran