Patent ID: 6300617
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: G01R,H01L,H04B

Abstract:
A current determiner for providing at an output thereof representations of input currents provided therein from a source of such currents, said current determiner comprising:a substrate;an input conductor supported on said substrate suited for conducting said input currents therethrough; anda first current sensor supported on said substrate adjacent to, yet spaced apart from, said input conductor to thereby be electrically isolated from any direct circuit interconnection therewith on said substrate but positioned in those magnetic fields arising from said input currents, said first current sensor being formed of a plurality of magnetoresistive, anisotropic, ferromagnetic thin-film layers at least two of which are separated from one another by a nonmagnetic layer positioned therebetween and with one of said two ferromagnetic thin-film layers having a magnetization that is substantially maintained in a selected direction despite said magnetic fields arising from said input currents causing reversals of direction of magnetization of that remaining one of said two ferromagnetic thin-film layers.