Patent ID: 9069031
Filing Date: 2015-06-30
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A magnetic-field sensor configured to provide an output signal in response to an external magnetic field, comprising: a substrate having a surface, wherein the substrate includes a cavity defined by an edge on the surface; a pair of cantilevers, separated by a gap, disposed over the cavity, wherein a given cantilever includes a structural layer, a bottom electrode, a piezoelectric layer disposed on the bottom electrode, and a magnetic-flux concentrator disposed on the piezoelectric layer, and wherein the magnetic-flux concentrator is configured to convey the external magnetic field to the gap; a magnetoresistive sensor, disposed in the gap, configured to provide the output signal in response to the external magnetic field; and connectors electrically coupled to the bottom electrodes and the magnetic-flux concentrators in the pair of cantilevers, wherein the connectors are configured to apply voltages having a fundamental frequency across the piezoelectric layers in the pair of cantilevers; and wherein, in response to the applied voltages, the pair of cantilevers is configured to displace, at the fundamental frequency, relative to the magnetoresistive sensor along a direction perpendicular to the surface.