Magnetic sensor with offset magnetic field
First Claim
1. A magnetic field sensor for measuring an external magnetic field, comprising:
- a mechanism to generate a first offset magnetic field; and
, a first magnetoresistive-layered structure having an electrical resistance depending on a magnitude of a first magnetic field, the first magnetic field comprising components of the external magnetic field and components of the first offset magnetic field.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, a magnetic field sensor, and an electronic device measure and determine the magnitude and/or the direction of a magnetic field. The magnetic sensor is based on at least a first magnetoresistive-layered structure having an electric resistance depending on the magnitude of the magnetic field. The magnetic sensor generates at least a first offset magnetic field. The magnitude and the direction of the offset magnetic field can be modified to compensate the magnetic field. The electric resistance of the magnetoresistive-layered structure depends on the superposition of magnetic field and offset magnetic field. A maximum electric resistance indicates that the magnetic field is compensated by the offset magnetic field. In this case the magnitude of the magnetic field corresponds to the magnitude of the offset magnetic field, and the direction of the magnetic field is given by the reversed direction of the offset magnetic field.
21 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A magnetic field sensor for measuring an external magnetic field, comprising:
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a mechanism to generate a first offset magnetic field; and
,a first magnetoresistive-layered structure having an electrical resistance depending on a magnitude of a first magnetic field, the first magnetic field comprising components of the external magnetic field and components of the first offset magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A magnetic field sensor for measuring an external magnetic field, comprising:
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means for generating a first offset magnetic field; and
,a first magnetoresistive-layered structure having an electrical resistance depending on a magnitude of a first magnetic field, the first magnetic field comprising components of the external magnetic field and components of the first offset magnetic field.
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13. A method for measuring an external magnetic field by using a magnetic field sensor having a first magnetoresistive-layered structure, comprising:
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generating a first offset magnetic field;
measuring an electrical resistance of the first magnetoresistive-layered structure, the electrical resistance depending on a magnitude of a first magnetic field, the first magnetic field having components of the external magnetic field and components of the first offset magnetic field; and
,determining the external magnetic field based on the first offset magnetic field and the electrical resistance. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification