Sensing methods and systems for hall and/or MR sensors
First Claim
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1. A magnetic sensing method, said method comprising the steps of:
- detecting a minimum magnetic signal output and a maximum magnetic signal output utilizing a sensor comprising a peak detector circuit associated with a filter averaging circuit and at least one magnetic element thereof; and
determining an average magnetic signal output utilizing said filter averaging circuit when a target begins to rotate in front of said sensor, wherein said filter averaging circuit stabilizes when an area of a curve above said average magnetic signal output is equal to an area under said curve.
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Abstract
Magnetic sensing methods and systems are disclosed. A minimum magnetic signal output and a maximum magnetic signal output can be detected utilizing a sensor comprising a peak detector circuit associated with a filter averaging circuit and one or more magnetic elements (e.g., a Hall element and/or magnetoresistive bridge). An average magnetic signal output can then be determined utilizing the filter averaging circuit when a target begins to rotate in front of the sensor.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A magnetic sensing method, said method comprising the steps of:
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detecting a minimum magnetic signal output and a maximum magnetic signal output utilizing a sensor comprising a peak detector circuit associated with a filter averaging circuit and at least one magnetic element thereof; and
determining an average magnetic signal output utilizing said filter averaging circuit when a target begins to rotate in front of said sensor, wherein said filter averaging circuit stabilizes when an area of a curve above said average magnetic signal output is equal to an area under said curve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
automatically switching said sensor from a peak detector circuit mode to a filter averaging circuit mode at a specified frequency.
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3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
establishing a sensor switching level approximately halfway between said minimum magnetic signal output and said maximum magnetic signal output.
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4. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one magnetic element comprises a Hall element.
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5. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one magnetic element comprises a magnetoresistive bridge.
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6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
coupling said peak detector circuit with at least one biasing magnet.
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7. The method of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a camshaft position sensor.
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8. The method of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a crankshaft position sensor.
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9. The method of claim 1 wherein said peak detector circuit comprises BICMOS circuitry.
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10. The method of claim 1 wherein said filter averaging circuit comprises BICMOS circuitry.
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11. A magnetic sensing system, comprising:
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a sensor for detecting a minimum magnetic signal output and a maximum magnetic signal output, wherein said sensor comprises a peak detector circuit associated with a filter averaging circuit and at least one magnetic element thereof; and
a filter averaging circuit for determining an average magnetic signal output when a target begins to rotate in front of said sensor, wherein said filter averaging circuit stabilizes when an area of a curve above said average magnetic signal output is equal to an area under said curve. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
switching mechanism for automatically switching said sensor from a peak detector circuit mode to a filter averaging circuit mode at a specified frequency.
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13. The system of claim 11 further comprising the step of:
a sensor switching level established approximately halfway between said minimum magnetic signal output and said maximum magnetic signal output.
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14. The system of claim 11 wherein said at least one magnetic element comprises a Hall element.
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15. The system of claim 11 wherein said at least one magnetic element comprises a magnetoresistive bridge.
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16. The system of claim 11 further comprising the step of:
coupling said peak detector circuit with at least one biasing magnet.
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17. The system of claim 11 wherein said sensor comprises a camshaft position sensor.
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18. The system of claim 11 wherein said sensor comprises a crankshaft position sensor.
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19. The system of claim 11 wherein said peak detector circuit comprises BICMOS circuitry and wherein said filter averaging circuit comprises BICMOS circuitry.
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20. A magnetic sensing system, comprising:
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a sensor for detecting a minimum magnetic signal output and a maximum magnetic signal output, wherein said sensor comprises a peak detector circuit associated with a filter averaging circuit and at least one magnetic element thereof, such that said peak detector circuit comprises BICMOS circuitry and is coupled with at least one biasing magnet thereof;
a filter averaging circuit comprising BICMOS circuitry for determining an average magnetic signal output when a target begins to rotate in front of said sensor, wherein said filter averaging circuit stabilizes when an area of a curve above said average magnetic signal output is equal to an area under said curve; and
a switching mechanism for automatically switching said sensor from a peak detector circuit mode to a filter averaging circuit mode at a specified frequency, wherein a sensor switching level is established approximately halfway between said minimum magnetic signal output and said maximum magnetic signal output.
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Specification