Patent ID: 11971462
Assignee: EVERSPIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 17:
18. A magnetic field sensor, comprising:
a plurality of magnetoresistance sense elements coupled together as a first circuit to sense a magnetic field, wherein each magnetoresistance sense element of the plurality of magnetoresistance sense elements includes a first ferromagnetic layer and a second ferromagnetic layer separated by an insulating barrier layer; and
a second circuit comprising a plurality of current lines, wherein each current line of the plurality of current lines is adjacent to a corresponding magnetoresistance sense element of the plurality of magnetoresistance sense elements,
wherein the first magnetoresistance sense element and a third magnetoresistance sense element of the plurality of magnetoresistance sense elements share a common ferromagnetic layer such that a first portion of the common ferromagnetic layer is above or below the first ferromagnetic layer of the first magnetoresistance sense element and a second portion of the common ferromagnetic layer is above or below the first ferromagnetic layer of the third magnetoresistance sense element,
wherein, when a magnetic field is sensed by the plurality of magnetoresistance sense elements, a sense current flows through the first ferromagnetic layer, the insulating barrier layer, and the second ferromagnetic layer of a magnetoresistance sense element,
wherein at least one current line of the plurality of current lines is positioned above or below a magnetoresistance sense element,
wherein the at least one current line of the plurality of current lines is positioned at either a 45 degree or a 90 degree cross angle relative to a first ferromagnetic layer of a magnetoresistance sense element of the plurality of magnetoresistance sense elements, and
wherein a direction of the sense current flow is perpendicular to each current line of the plurality of current lines that is adjacent to the corresponding magnetoresistance sense element of the plurality of magnetoresistance sense elements.