Patent ID: 11860047
Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 15:
16. A method for ascertaining a mechanical stress component using a semiconductor circuit arrangement with a semiconductor substrate and a Hall sensor circuit integrated therein,
wherein the Hall sensor circuit comprises a first terminal and a second terminal positioned opposite the first terminal, and as a third terminal and a fourth terminal positioned opposite the third terminal,
and wherein the method comprises:
applying a Hall supply current during a first clock phase between the first terminal and the second terminal to guide the Hall supply current at a first angle to a normal to a primary flat plane of the semiconductor substrate, laterally through a Hall effect region of the Hall sensor circuit, wherein the Hall supply current generates a first electrical voltage signal in the Hall effect region, wherein the first electrical voltage signal has a first dependency on a mechanical stress of the semiconductor substrate, and
applying a Hall supply current during a second clock phase between the third terminal and the fourth terminal to guide the Hall supply current at a second angle that is orthogonal to the first angle, laterally through the Hall effect region of the Hall sensor circuit, wherein the Hall supply current generates a second electrical voltage signal in the Hall effect region, and wherein the second electrical voltage signal has a second dependency on the mechanical stress of the semiconductor substrate, and
ascertaining the mechanical stress component based on a combination of the first electrical voltage signal and of the second electrical voltage signal.