Circuits and methods for generating a self-test of a magnetic field sensor
First Claim
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1. A magnetic field sensor, comprising:
- a magnetic field sensing element supported by a substrate, wherein the magnetic field sensing element is configured to generate a self-test signal responsive to a pulsing self-test magnetic field during one or more self-test time periods;
a self-test circuit supported by the substrate, the self-test circuit comprising;
a self-test current conductor proximate to the magnetic field sensing element, the self-test current conductor for carrying a self-test current to generate the self-test magnetic field;
a processing circuit coupled to receive a signal representative of the self-test signal; and
a diagnostic request processor configured to control the self-test current to be on or off in response to a diagnostic input signal received by the diagnostic request processor or to be indicative of a self-test during one or more time periods in response to a diagnostic clock signal generated by the diagnostic request processor, wherein the diagnostic request processor comprises at least one of;
a decoder coupled to receive the diagnostic input signal, configured to decode the diagnostic input signal, and configured to generate a decoded diagnostic signal, oran internal diagnostic clock generator configured to generate the diagnostic clock signal to control the self-test current to comprise a group of current pulses during the one or more time periods, wherein,the diagnostic request processor is configured to generate the diagnostic control signal to control the self-test current in response to at least one of the decoded diagnostic signal or the diagnostic clock signal.
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Abstract
A magnetic field sensor includes built in self-test circuits that allow a self-test of most of, or all of, the circuitry of the magnetic field sensor, including self-test of a magnetic field sensing element used within the magnetic field sensor, while the magnetic field sensor is functioning in normal operation.
114 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A magnetic field sensor, comprising:
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a magnetic field sensing element supported by a substrate, wherein the magnetic field sensing element is configured to generate a self-test signal responsive to a pulsing self-test magnetic field during one or more self-test time periods; a self-test circuit supported by the substrate, the self-test circuit comprising; a self-test current conductor proximate to the magnetic field sensing element, the self-test current conductor for carrying a self-test current to generate the self-test magnetic field; a processing circuit coupled to receive a signal representative of the self-test signal; and a diagnostic request processor configured to control the self-test current to be on or off in response to a diagnostic input signal received by the diagnostic request processor or to be indicative of a self-test during one or more time periods in response to a diagnostic clock signal generated by the diagnostic request processor, wherein the diagnostic request processor comprises at least one of; a decoder coupled to receive the diagnostic input signal, configured to decode the diagnostic input signal, and configured to generate a decoded diagnostic signal, or an internal diagnostic clock generator configured to generate the diagnostic clock signal to control the self-test current to comprise a group of current pulses during the one or more time periods, wherein, the diagnostic request processor is configured to generate the diagnostic control signal to control the self-test current in response to at least one of the decoded diagnostic signal or the diagnostic clock signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of generating a self-test of a magnetic field sensor, comprising:
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generating, with a magnetic field sensing element supported by a substrate, a self-test signal responsive to a pulsing self-test magnetic field during one or more self-test time periods; providing a self-test circuit supported by the substrate, the providing the self-test circuit comprising; providing a self-test current conductor proximate to the magnetic field sensing element, the self-test current conductor for carrying a self-test current to generate the self-test magnetic field; providing a processing circuit coupled to receive a signal representative of the self-test signal; and providing a diagnostic request processor configured to control the self-test current to be on or off in response to a diagnostic input signal received by the diagnostic request processor or to be indicative of a self-test during one or more time periods in response to a diagnostic clock signal generated by the diagnostic request processor, wherein the diagnositc request processor comprises at least one of; a decoder coupled to receive the diagnostic input signal, configured to decode the diagnostic input signal, and configured to generate a decoded diagnostic signal, or an internal diagnostic clock generator configured to generate the diagnostic clock signal to control the self-test current to comrprise a group of current pulses during the one or more time periods, wherein, the diagnostic reguest processor is configured to generate the diagnostic control signal to control the self-test current in response to at least one of the decoded diagnostic signal or the diagnostic clock signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification