Magnetic-Field Sensing Method
First Claim
1. A magnetic-field sensing method, comprising steps of:
- providing a magnetoresistive sensing device on a substrate plane, wherein the substrate plane defines an x-axis and a y-axis that are perpendicular to each other and a z-axis perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis;
determining a first sensed magnetic-field component in parallel with the x-axis (Xsens) and a second sensed magnetic-field component in parallel with the y-axis (Ysens) of an external magnetic field forming a first inclination angle ( ) with the x-axis and a second inclination angle (Ø
) with the y-axis;
defining a virtual plane so as to render a magnetic-field component of the external magnetic field perpendicular to the virtual plane is essentially zero;
adjusting the first inclination angle ( ) and the second inclination angle (Ø
) with reference to the virtual plane; and
estimating an x-axis magnetic-field component (Xfield) in parallel with the x-axis, a y-axis magnetic-field component (Yfield) in parallel with the y-axis and a z-axis magnetic-field component (Zfield) in parallel with the z-axis of the external magnetic field according to the adjusted first inclination angle (+Δ
), the adjusted second inclination angle (Ø
+Δ
Ø
), the first sensed magnetic-field component (Xsens) and the second sensed magnetic-field component (Ysens).
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetoresistive sensing device is provided. A first sensed magnetic-field component in parallel with the x-axis and a second sensed magnetic-field component in parallel with the y-axis of an external magnetic field forming a first inclination angle with the x-axis and a second inclination angle with the y-axis are determined. A virtual plane is defined so as to render a magnetic-field component perpendicular to the virtual plane of the external magnetic field is essentially zero. The first inclination angle and the second inclination angle are adjusted with reference to the virtual plane. An x-axis magnetic-field component in parallel with the x-axis, a y-axis magnetic-field component in parallel with the y-axis and a z-axis magnetic-field component in parallel with the z-axis of the external magnetic field are estimated according to the adjusted first inclination angle, the adjusted second inclination angle, the first sensed magnetic-field component and the second sensed magnetic-field component.
-
Citations
10 Claims
-
1. A magnetic-field sensing method, comprising steps of:
-
providing a magnetoresistive sensing device on a substrate plane, wherein the substrate plane defines an x-axis and a y-axis that are perpendicular to each other and a z-axis perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis; determining a first sensed magnetic-field component in parallel with the x-axis (Xsens) and a second sensed magnetic-field component in parallel with the y-axis (Ysens) of an external magnetic field forming a first inclination angle ( ) with the x-axis and a second inclination angle (Ø
) with the y-axis;defining a virtual plane so as to render a magnetic-field component of the external magnetic field perpendicular to the virtual plane is essentially zero; adjusting the first inclination angle ( ) and the second inclination angle (Ø
) with reference to the virtual plane; andestimating an x-axis magnetic-field component (Xfield) in parallel with the x-axis, a y-axis magnetic-field component (Yfield) in parallel with the y-axis and a z-axis magnetic-field component (Zfield) in parallel with the z-axis of the external magnetic field according to the adjusted first inclination angle (+Δ
), the adjusted second inclination angle (Ø
+Δ
Ø
), the first sensed magnetic-field component (Xsens) and the second sensed magnetic-field component (Ysens). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An electronic compass, comprising a magnetoresistive sensing device provided on a substrate plane and a gravity sensor, wherein:
-
the substrate plane defines an x-axis and a y-axis that are perpendicular to each other and a z-axis perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis, and a first sensed magnetic-field component in parallel with the x-axis (Xsens); a second sensed magnetic-field component in parallel with the y-axis (Ysens) of an external magnetic field forming a first inclination angle ( ) with the x-axis and a second inclination angle (Ø
) with the y-axis can be determined; andthe first inclination angle ( ) and the second inclination angle (Ø
) can be adjusted by a gravity sensor when the external magnetic field is a terrestrial magnetic field;the magnetoresistive sensing device comprises; at least one first magnetoresistive sensing unit, comprising; a first electrode, disposed on the substrate plane; a second electrode, disposed on the substrate plane; and a first magnetic layer, disposed on the substrate plane, having a first magnetization direction in parallel with the x-axis and a first current path for conducting the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein a first angle is formed between the first current path and the first magnetization direction; and at least one second magnetoresistive sensing unit, comprising; a third electrode, disposed on the substrate plane; a fourth electrode, disposed on the substrate plane; and a second magnetic layer, disposed on the substrate plane, having a second magnetization direction in parallel with the y-axis, and a second current path for conducting the third electrode and the fourth electrode, wherein a second angle is formed between the second current path and the second magnetization direction.
-
Specification