Circuits and Methods for Generating a Diagnostic Mode of Operation in a Magnetic Field Sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A magnetic field sensor, comprising:
- at least two magnetic field sensing elements; and
a switching circuit coupled to the at least two magnetic field sensing elements, wherein the switching circuit is configured to couple the at least two magnetic field sensing elements into a normal mode configuration when the magnetic field sensor is in a normal mode of operation, and wherein the switching circuit is configured to couple the at least two magnetic field sensing elements into a diagnostic mode configuration when the magnetic field sensor is in a diagnostic mode of operation, wherein the at least two magnetic field sensing elements are configured to generate a magnetic field signal comprising;
a measured-magnetic-field-responsive signal portion responsive to a measured magnetic field when coupled in the normal mode configuration; and
a diagnostic-magnetic-field-responsive signal portion responsive to a diagnostic magnetic field when coupled in the diagnostic mode configuration.
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Abstract
A magnetic field sensor includes a diagnostic circuit that allows a self-test of most of or all of, the circuitry of the magnetic field sensor, including a self-test of a magnetic field sensing element used within the magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor can generate a diagnostic magnetic field to which the magnetic field sensor is responsive.
171 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A magnetic field sensor, comprising:
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at least two magnetic field sensing elements; and a switching circuit coupled to the at least two magnetic field sensing elements, wherein the switching circuit is configured to couple the at least two magnetic field sensing elements into a normal mode configuration when the magnetic field sensor is in a normal mode of operation, and wherein the switching circuit is configured to couple the at least two magnetic field sensing elements into a diagnostic mode configuration when the magnetic field sensor is in a diagnostic mode of operation, wherein the at least two magnetic field sensing elements are configured to generate a magnetic field signal comprising; a measured-magnetic-field-responsive signal portion responsive to a measured magnetic field when coupled in the normal mode configuration; and a diagnostic-magnetic-field-responsive signal portion responsive to a diagnostic magnetic field when coupled in the diagnostic mode configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of generating a self-test of a magnetic field sensor, comprising:
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coupling at least two magnetic field sensing elements into a normal mode configuration when the magnetic field sensor is in a normal mode of operation, and coupling the at least two magnetic field sensing elements into a diagnostic mode configuration when the magnetic field sensor is in a diagnostic mode of operation, wherein the at least two magnetic field sensing elements are configured to generate a magnetic field signal comprising; a measured-magnetic-field-responsive signal portion responsive to a measured magnetic field when coupled in the normal mode configuration; and a diagnostic-magnetic-field-responsive signal portion responsive to a diagnostic magnetic field when coupled in the diagnostic mode configuration. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification