Patent ID: 9110123
Filing Date: 2015-08-18
Classification: B82Y,G01R

Abstract:
1. A magnetic field sensor comprising: a first bridge circuit including a first plurality of magnetic sense elements configured to sense a magnetic field in a first dimension, the first plurality of magnetic sense elements including i groups of magnetic sense elements, where i is greater than or equal to 2, and wherein each group of the i groups of magnetic sense elements includes a plurality of magnetic sense elements to sense the magnetic field in the first dimension; a second bridge circuit including a second plurality of magnetic sense elements configured to sense the magnetic field in a second dimension, the second plurality of magnetic sense elements including j groups of magnetic sense elements, where j is greater than or equal to 2, and wherein each group of the j groups of magnetic sense elements includes a plurality of magnetic sense elements to sense the magnetic field in the second dimension; and circuitry configured to generate a first plurality of current pulses and a second plurality of current pulses, the first plurality of current pulses sequentially applied adjacent to each of the i groups of the first plurality of magnetic sense elements and thereafter the second plurality of current pulses sequentially applied adjacent to each of the j groups of the second plurality of magnetic sense elements, wherein the sequential application of current pulses adjacent to the i and j groups of magnetic sense elements results in a larger current applied adjacent to each of the i and j groups of magnetic sense elements, for a given voltage, than if the first plurality and second plurality of current pulses had been applied adjacent to the i and j groups of magnetic sense elements simultaneously.