Honeywell International Inc.

Honeywell G.m.b.h.

Wayne T Kilian

Gilberto Morales

Scott Edward Beck

Jason Chilcote

Jamie Wandler Speldrich

James Robert Biard

Richard William Gehman

Jeffrey Scott Hall

Anthony M Dmytriw

Ryan R Furio

Jason M Chilcote

A digital output sensor includes a sensing structure that outputs a differential sensing signal and includes at least one sensing element. An integrated circuit includes a substrate including signal conditioning circuitry for conditioning the sensing signal that includes a differential amplifier coupled to receive the sensing signal and provide first and second differential outputs and a comparator having input transistors coupled to receive outputs from the differential amplifier. The comparator also includes first and second current-mirror loads that provide differential drive currents and are coupled to the input transistors in a cross coupled configuration to provide hysteresis. An output driver is coupled to receive the differential drive currents. An output stage includes at least one output transistor which is coupled to the output driver for providing a digital output for the sensor. A voltage regulator is coupled to receive a supply voltage and output at least one regulated supply voltage.

Comparator circuit having latching behavior and digital output sensors therefrom

A digital output sensor () includes a sensing structure () including at least one sensing element. The sensing structure () outputs a differential sensing signal (). An integrated circuit () includes a substrate () including signal conditioning circuitry for conditioning the sensing signal (). The signal conditioning circuitry includes a differential amplifier () coupled to receive the sensing signal and provide first and second differential outputs (), and a comparator () having input transistors (QQ) coupled to receive outputs from the differential amplifier. The comparator () also includes first and second current-mirror loads (QQand QQ) coupled to the input transistors (QQ) in a cross coupled configuration to provide hysteresis, wherein the first and second current-mirror loads provide differential drive currents (). An output driver () is coupled to receive the differential drive currents (). An output stage () includes at least one output transistor which is coupled to the output driver for providing a digital output for the sensor. A voltage regulator () is coupled to receive a supply voltage (VS) and output at least one regulated supply voltage (VREG), wherein the regulated supply voltage is coupled to the sensing structure (), the differential amplifier () and the comparator ().

A Hall-effect magnetic sensor comprises a p-type Hall element and an n-type epitaxial Hall element. The p-type element can be implanted directly on top of the n-type element. The merged Hall elements can be biased in parallel to provide a nearly zero-bias depletion layer throughout for isolation. Electrical contacts to the n-type element can be diffused down through the p-type element and positioned to partially obstruct current flow in the p-type element. Electrical contacts can be diffused into the p-type element. Each bias contact of the p-type element can be connected to respective bias contacts of the n-type element in a parallel fashion. Then, an output signal can be taken at the sense contacts of the n-type element in order to provide improved magnetic responsivity. Further provided is a method for manufacturing the Hall-effect magnetic sensor.

Hall-effect magnetic sensors with improved magnetic responsivity and methods for manufacturing the same

A volumetric fluid flow sensor () includes a flow channel () for flowing a fluid therein; and a diaphragm () having an outer surface within the flow channel (). The diaphragm () includes at least one flow disrupting feature mechanically coupled to or emerging from the outer surface of the diaphragm (). A sensing structure () is coupled to the diaphragm () for generating a sensing signal responsive to a pressure signal on the diaphragm ().

Pressure-based fluid flow sensor

A Hall-effect device with a merged and/or non-merged complementary structure in order to cancel stress induced offsets includes an n-type epitaxial Hall element and a p-type Hall element. The p-type Hall element can be implanted directly on top of the n-type epitaxial Hall element. The merged Hall elements can be biased in parallel to provide a zero-bias depletion layer throughout for isolation. The output of the p-type Hall element can be connected to the geometrically corresponding output of the n-type epitaxial Hall element through a suitable resistance. The output signal can be taken at the outputs of the n-type element. The Hall-effect device can be constructed utilizing standard processes.

Hall-effect device with merged and/or non-merged complementary structure

A voltage regulator operable as a voltage follower while a fusible link is closed and in a regulated voltage mode when the fusible link becomes open. The voltage regulator can be formed on monolithic semiconductor chips. Patterned thin films including aluminum and nickel-iron, and aluminum and polycrystalline silicon, comprise the fusible link. With the fusible link closed, the voltage regulator output is an analog of positive polarity variable voltage levels at the regulator input. Systems powered by the voltage regulator are allowed to be programmed until system programming requiring variable voltage levels is complete. Afterwards, a negative polarity voltage is applied to the regulator input causing a large current to pass through the fusible link once the system programming is completed. Current thereby causes the fusible link to become opened and enables the voltage regulator to begin operating at a regulated voltage in response to positive voltage input.

Power supply with programmable fuse for mode selection

A sensor apparatus includes a heating element comprising an upstream side and a downstream side. A first heat sensing set is generally configured adjacent to the upstream side of the heating element and comprises a first sensing element and a second sensing element, the first and second sensing elements configured in a serpentine, interdigitated pattern. A second heat sensing set can be configured adjacent to the downstream side of the heating element and comprises a third sensing element and a fourth sensing element, the third and fourth sensing elements configured in a serpentine, interdigitated pattern.

Interdigitated, full wheatstone bridge flow sensor transducer

A plurality of bridge transducers are provided in a dual arrangement. An output terminal from each transducer is coupled to differential inputs of an amplifier. Each of the other outputs from the transducers are respectively coupled together and used to control a bias for dual active loads. The transducers may be implemented within monolithic silicon integrated circuits, using bipolar technology with Hall effect, magnetoresistive or piezoresistive sensing elements for the bridge. A single Hall effect transducer may be coupled to the inputs of the differential amplifier, and a center tap terminal used to control a bias for dual active loads.

Differential amplifier for dual bridge transducer

A Hall element is provided with a segmented field plate. Dynamic bias control is applied to the segments of the field plate. In one embodiment, a feedback signal is derived from an amplified output of the Hall element. The feedback signal is applied to the segments of the field plate in order to control sheet conductivity in specific localized areas. In one embodiment, a metal field plate is split into four segments along lines between bias and sense contacts of the Hall element. Opposing diagonal segments are electrically connected.

Hall element with segmented field plate

Two bridge type transducers are coupled in series with their outputs each driving one of a pair of differential amplifiers, with the outputs tied together in a push-pull configuration. In further embodiments, push-pull operation is obtained by matching amplifier gain components and using current mirrors. Lower voltage operation may be achieved by simple diode level shifting of the transducer outputs. In one embodiment, the transducers comprise Hall effect sensors.

Series bridge circuit with amplifiers

An apparatus for determining the direction of a magnetic field is provided with a plurality of magnetically sensitive components arranged with their sensing axes equally spaced around a circular configuration. Each magnetically sensitive component is capable of providing a binary signal representing the resolution of the direction of a magnetic field along one of the two possible directions aligned with its sensing axis. The binary signals from each of the plurality of magnetically sensitive components is arranged to provide a grey code output that can be used to directly determine the direction that the apparatus is pointing toward. The compass points that can be resolved is related to the number of magnetically sensitive components by a ratio of two to one. For example, the use of four magnetically sensitive components permits the resolution of eight compass directions.

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Dallas, TX, United States of America

Wayne T Kilian