Magnetic field sensors with self test
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- detecting, by a magnetic field sensor, a magnetic field;
driving a signal representing the magnetic field onto an output node of the magnetic field sensor;
receiving, by the magnetic field sensor, the signal on the output node;
determining if the driven signal is interrupted by an external source by comparing the received signal to the driven signal by determining if a voltage of the output node was driven to a predetermined voltage state during transmission of the signal representing the magnetic field;
interrupting the signal representing the magnetic field andwhen the driven signal is interrupted, initiating a self-test.
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Abstract
A system includes a magnetic target and a magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor comprises an output node; a circuit to detect a magnetic field produced by the magnetic target; and a processor. The processor may be configured to transmit a signal onto the output node representing the detected magnetic field; detect whether the transmitted signal is interrupted by an external source; and, if the signal is interrupted, initiate a self-test of the apparatus. Corresponding methods and apparatuses are also disclosed.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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detecting, by a magnetic field sensor, a magnetic field; driving a signal representing the magnetic field onto an output node of the magnetic field sensor; receiving, by the magnetic field sensor, the signal on the output node; determining if the driven signal is interrupted by an external source by comparing the received signal to the driven signal by determining if a voltage of the output node was driven to a predetermined voltage state during transmission of the signal representing the magnetic field; interrupting the signal representing the magnetic field and when the driven signal is interrupted, initiating a self-test. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus comprising:
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an output node; a circuit to detect a magnetic field; a processor circuit configured to; transmit a signal representing the detected magnetic field onto the output node; detect whether the transmitted signal is interrupted by an external source by sensing whether the output node is held at a low voltage by the external source; and if the signal is interrupted, initiate a self-test of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A system comprising
a magnetic target; a magnetic field sensor comprising; an output node; a circuit to detect a magnetic field produced by the magnetic target; and a processor circuit configured to; transmit a signal representing the magnetic field onto the output node; detect whether the transmitted signal is interrupted by an external source by sensing whether the output node is held at a low voltage by the external source; and if the signal is interrupted, initiate a self-test of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. An apparatus comprising:
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an output node; a circuit to detect a magnetic field; a processor circuit configured to; transmit a signal representing the detected magnetic field onto the output node; detect whether the transmitted signal is interrupted by an external source by sensing whether the output node is held at a low voltage by an external source; if the signal is interrupted, initiate a self-test of the apparatus; and transmit data representing test results onto the output node if results of the self-test indicate a failure.
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31. An apparatus comprising:
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an output node; a circuit to detect a magnetic field; a processor circuit configured to; transmit a signal representing the detected magnetic field onto the output node; detect whether the transmitted signal is interrupted by an external trigger signal; if the signal is interrupted, initiate a self-test of the apparatus; and transmit data representing test results onto the output node if results of the self-test indicate a failure.
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Specification