Magnetic Field Sensor with Shared Path Amplifier and Analog-To-Digital-Converter
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A magnetic field sensor comprising:
- at least one magnetic field sensing element configured to generate a measured magnetic field signal responsive to an external magnetic field and to generate a reference magnetic field signal responsive to a reference magnetic field; and
a signal path comprising an amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter for processing the measured magnetic field signal to generate a sensor output signal indicative of the external magnetic field during a measured time period and for processing the reference magnetic field signal to generate a diagnostic signal indicative of whether a fault is present during a non-overlapping reference time period.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for processing a signal comprise at least one circuit configured to generate a measured signal during a measured time period and a reference signal during a reference time period. Also included is at least one dual- or multi-path analog-to-digital converter comprising at least a first processing circuit configured to process the measured signal, at least a second processing circuit configured to process the reference signal, and a third processing circuit configured to process both the measured signal and the reference signal.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A magnetic field sensor comprising:
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at least one magnetic field sensing element configured to generate a measured magnetic field signal responsive to an external magnetic field and to generate a reference magnetic field signal responsive to a reference magnetic field; and a signal path comprising an amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter for processing the measured magnetic field signal to generate a sensor output signal indicative of the external magnetic field during a measured time period and for processing the reference magnetic field signal to generate a diagnostic signal indicative of whether a fault is present during a non-overlapping reference time period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A magnetic field sensor comprising:
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at least one magnetic field sensing element configured to generate a measured magnetic field signal responsive to an external magnetic field and to generate a reference magnetic field signal responsive to a reference magnetic field; a signal path comprising a shared portion for processing the measured magnetic field signal to generate a sensor output signal indicative of the external magnetic field during an measured time period and for processing the reference magnetic field signal to generate a diagnostic signal indicative of whether a fault is present during a non-overlapping reference time period and a dedicated portion for processing the measured magnetic field signal during the measured time period; and a controller configured to enable the dedicated signal path portion to process the reference magnetic field signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A magnetic field sensor comprising:
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at least one magnetic field sensing element configured to generate a measured magnetic field signal responsive to an external magnetic field and to generate a reference magnetic field signal responsive to a reference magnetic field; a signal path for processing the measured magnetic field signal to generate a sensor output signal indicative of the external magnetic field during an measured time period and for processing the reference magnetic field signal to generate a diagnostic signal indicative of whether a fault is present during a non-overlapping reference time period; and a diagnostic trim circuit configured to adjust a gain of the reference magnetic field signal, an offset of the reference magnetic field signal, or both. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification