Compact sensing apparatus having transducer and signal conditioner with a plurality of mounting pins

A compact sensing apparatus having reduced cross section and methods are provided for sensing the magnitude and direction of an electrical or magnetic field. The compact sensing apparatus and method preferably provide one of two transducer orientations in relation to the direction of the field arranged in the sensor apparatus to provide the smallest possible cross section. The compact sensing apparatus preferably includes a plurality of mounting pins. Each of the plurality of mounting pins preferably includes a first pin portion and a second pin portion connected to the first pin portion at a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is preferably less than 180 degrees and more preferably in the range of about 70-110 degrees. A transducer formed from a semiconductor wafer is preferably mounted to the first pin portion for generating a transducer signal, and a signal conditioner also preferably formed from the same semiconductor wafer is mounted to the second pin portion for conditioning the transducer signal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to the field of sensors and, more 
particularly to the fields of sensors and methods of mounting sensors. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Over the years sensors have been developed which include transducers that 
possess a specific preferred orientation in relation to an electrical 
field, a magnetic field, or a mechanical force to be sensed. To maximize 
the response of the sensor, the transducer must be oriented in the 
direction of this field or force. Some examples of electrical or magnetic 
field sensors are position and proximity sensors such as Hall effect, 
magnetoresistor, capacitive, and inductive sensors and electrical current 
field sensors. Mechanical force sensors generally measure the flow or 
pressure of a liquid or gas, the mechanical stress or weight of an object, 
or the acceleration of an object. These sensors generally have a preferred 
orientation of the transducer to the electrical or magnetic field or to 
the physical force being sensed in order to maximize the sensitivity of 
the transducer. 
Also, there may be other extraneous electrical or magnetic fields or 
mechanical forces in the system. The transducer may have to be oriented 
relative to these extraneous fields or forces in a specific direction to 
reduce the sensitivity of the transducer to them. This helps to eliminate 
sensing errors or noise caused by the movement of other objects or caused 
by the presence of other fields or forces. 
These sensors also conventionally employ signal conditioning circuitry or a 
signal conditioner to amplify or otherwise condition the transducer 
signal. The signal conditioner is needed, for example, because the 
transducer signal is usually too low in magnitude to overcome noise or 
contains a large offset or other error signals that overdrive sensitive 
monitoring equipment. Otherwise, the transducer signal is not conducive to 
transmission over a distance to a remotely located sensor monitoring 
circuit. 
Additionally, the sensors are often used in mechanical systems that have 
restrictions on overall size, weight, structural integrity, reliability, 
and cost. For these reasons, the sensor is usually made as small as 
possible by using transducers and signal conditioners that are electronic 
or that contain electrical devices manufactured on semiconductor wafers. 
A first significant problem with transducers and signal conditioners which 
are manufactured as semiconductor devices, however, is that the electrical 
conductivity or other operating characteristics change significantly in 
response to changes in temperature. This can result in a significant 
change in transducer output as a function of temperature. Because most of 
the mechanical systems in which these sensors operate can experience 
rather significant changes in operating temperature, the effects of these 
temperature changes on the sensor output constitutes an error signal and 
should therefore be eliminated or reduced if possible. 
The elimination of this error signal is usually a function of the signal 
conditioner and is usually accomplished in several related ways. The 
transducer and signal conditioner that are to be used together in any 
single sensor are usually manufactured at the same time using the same 
manufacturing process and are located as closely as possible in relation 
to each other on the same semiconductor wafer. This is done primarily to 
make the physical proportions of the components that comprise the 
transducer and the signal conditioner equal or proportional in width, 
length, and depth of features and to have equal relative concentrations of 
the various semiconductor materials used to form the components. For 
instance, all transistor bases, emitters, and collectors will be 
essentially the same relative size even if they are manufactured slightly 
larger or smaller than intended, and will have generally the same 
concentrations of materials regardless of whether they are at the intended 
levels of these various concentrations. The electrical conductivity of any 
particular electrical component in the transducer or the signal 
conditioner is proportional to the size of its features as well as the 
concentration of materials from which the component is manufactured. Any 
two components on the wafer located in close proximity to each other with 
the same dimensions and formed from the same relative concentrations of 
materials generally will have equal electrical conductivities if they are 
at the same temperature. Also, any component located near another 
component which has the same concentrations of materials but whose 
dimensions are not equal but are proportional to the other component will 
have an electrical conductivity that is proportional in the same degree as 
the dimensions if they are both at the same temperature. Because the size 
and composition of these components are set during manufacture, any short 
term changes in their electrical conductivity under identical electrical 
conditions are generally caused only by changes in the temperature of the 
component. 
In this manner any specific component or collection of components on the 
transducer required for proper operation can be duplicated in the signal 
conditioner at the same size or at a specific proportional scale and with 
equal concentrations of materials. For example, some transducers employ 
four resistors in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. Any one or more of 
these resistors can be made with equal dimensions and with equal 
composition of materials on the signal conditioner. Under these 
conditions, the electrical conductivity of both pairs of resistors 
generally will be equal if their temperatures are equal. In any case, if 
the temperature of the transducer components is the same as the 
temperature of the signal conditioner components, both the transducer and 
signal conditioner will contain components that experience equal or 
proportional electrical conductivity due to the effects of temperature 
alone. 
One of two methods are generally used in association with a signal 
conditioner to determine this change in electrical conductivity and then 
to produce a corresponding signal that cancels the effects of this change 
on the transducer output. First, if size allows, a complete duplicate of 
the transducer can be made on the signal conditioner. This duplicate 
transducer is then electrically, magnetically, or physically shielded from 
the field or force being sensed or is in some manner made unresponsive to 
the sensed parameter. An equal excitation or drive signal is then applied 
to both the components comprising the active transducer and the components 
comprising the duplicate passive transducer on the signal conditioner. The 
output of the signal conditioner passive transducer is then relative only 
to temperature and is then subtracted from the output of the active 
transducer that responds to the field or force. This is usually 
accomplished in a differential amplifier or a similar electronic circuit. 
A second method, for example, can be used where space for the signal 
conditioner is more limited. A representative part of the transducer at 
any proportion can be duplicated on the signal conditioner. This 
representative part can be chosen to be a part that is unresponsive to the 
parameter being sensed or can be physically oriented to a position where 
it is not affected or otherwise shielded from the parameter being sensed. 
In any case, it is designed so its electrical conductivity is proportional 
only to changes in temperature. The change of the transducer output due to 
the cumulative changes of electrical conductivity of all transducer 
components due only to changes in temperature is determined by direct 
measure or by mathematical calculation during the sensor design phase. 
This yields a specific level of transducer output change per degree of 
change in temperature. This information is used to design a circuit with a 
specific amount of gain determined by the relationship of the change in 
electrical conductivity of the signal conditioner duplicate component to 
the change in transducer output caused by a change in temperature. This 
circuit monitors the change in electrical conductivity of the signal 
conditioner duplicate component and then amplifies this change by the 
amount required to yield an equivalent signal level change that is then 
subtracted from the transducer output as above. 
Long term changes of electrical conductivity are a second significant 
problem in semiconductor components. This is usually caused by 
electromigration of the atoms of the material comprising the components 
from their positions as manufactured along paths of electrical current 
into areas that are not designed to contain them. For instance, the atoms 
comprising the base structure of a transistor can migrate into the areas 
occupied by the emitter and the collector, and vice versa. This changes 
both the physical size of the component as well as its concentration of 
the materials comprising the component. Any component in the transducer 
will experience these effects the same as an identical component in the 
signal conditioner provided the current through both components is kept 
equal over the life of the sensor. This is felt the same way as the short 
term effects of temperature as above by both components in the transducer 
and in the signal conditioner and is thus effectively compensated for in 
the same manner as short term changes in temperature. 
During the manufacturing process, both the transducer and the signal 
conditioner are formed on a common surface on the wafer known as the 
planar surface. Since components are not usually formed on top of other 
components, this results in transducers and signal conditioners that have 
a large surface area relative to the depth of the devices. The area taken 
up by these devices is generally measured along this planar surface. The 
depth of all such semiconductor devices is usually fixed by design 
considerations and is not relative to the number of devices. 
Prior art sensors generally manufacture the signal conditioner and 
transducer on the same wafer and interconnect the two using conductive 
traces defined directly on the wafer. The prior art sensors are then 
installed as a single monolithic chip in the sensor. Since the transducer 
generally should be oriented in a specific direction relative to the field 
being sensed, this requires that the signal conditioner be oriented also 
to the field in like manner. 
Also, the amount of area occupied by the transducer is much smaller than 
the area occupied by the signal conditioner. Orientation of both a 
transducer and a signal conditioner along the same plane generally 
produces a larger cross section for the sensor than could be achieved by 
orienting the transducer to the field and orienting the signal conditioner 
separately in whatever direction needed to realize the smallest cross 
section. Because the signal conditioner does not require a specific 
orientation in relation to the field, a much smaller cross section in 
relation to a specific direction of measurement can be realized by 
changing the orientation of the transducer and signal conditioner so they 
are orthogonal. This can only be accomplished if the transducer and signal 
conditioner are physically separated and electrically connected using some 
means other than the conductive traces so the transducer can be oriented 
to the field or force separately from the signal conditioner. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
With the foregoing in mind, the present invention advantageously provides a 
compact sensing apparatus that achieves a smallest cross section in 
relation to a defined axis. The present invention also advantageously 
provides a compact sensing apparatus and method which simplify manufacture 
of a sensing apparatus or sensor by providing means for orienting the 
transducer in a selected direction in relation to the signal conditioner. 
The present invention accomplishes these objects and advantages relating to 
field orientation by positioning a transducer in a specific orientation 
relative to a signal conditioner in a sensing apparatus. The transducer 
and signal conditioner can be manufactured simultaneously on a 
semiconductor wafer and means are employed to either leave the transducer 
and signal conditioner oriented as manufactured or to arrange them 
physically at right angles to each other to provide the maximum 
sensitivity to the field for the transducer and the minimum cross section 
for the sensing apparatus along its axis of orientation. 
The present invention also accomplishes the objects and advantages of the 
orientation of the transducer and signal conditioner by employing 
electrically conductive pins that are rigid. The pins provide electrical 
connection between the transducer and the signal conditioner and between 
the signal conditioner and external sensor monitoring equipment. 
More particularly, a compact sensing apparatus according to the present 
invention preferably includes plurality of mounting pins. Each of the 
plurality of mounting pins preferably includes a first pin portion and a 
second pin portion connected to the first pin portion at a predetermined 
angle. The first pin portion preferably has a length less than the second 
pin portion, and the predetermined angle is preferably less than 180 
degrees and more preferably in the range of about 70-110 degrees. A 
transducer is formed from a semiconductor wafer mounted to the first pin 
portion for generating a transducer signal. Signal conditioning means also 
is formed from the same semiconductor wafer and mounted to the second pin 
portion for conditioning the transducer signal. 
A compact sensing apparatus according to another aspect of the present 
invention preferably includes a plurality of mounting pins. Each of the 
plurality of mounting pins includes a first pin portion and a second pin 
portion connected to the first pin portion at a predetermined angle. The 
first pin portion preferably has a length less than the second pin 
portion. A transducer is mounted to the first pin portion for generating a 
transducer signal. A signal conditioner is mounted to the second pin 
portion for conditioning the transducer signal. The signal conditioner is 
preferably mounted to the second pin portion so that the lateral extent of 
the signal conditioner is generally perpendicular to the lateral extent of 
the transducer. 
According to other aspects of the present invention, a compact sensing 
apparatus has the plurality of mounting pins which are defined by a 
plurality of spaced-apart and elongate mounting pins. The lengthwise 
extent of each of the plurality of spaced-apart and elongate mounting pins 
is spaced-apart from and generally parallel to the lengthwise extent of 
another one of the plurality of pins. The plurality of spaced-apart and 
elongate mounting pins include a plurality of generally coaxially aligned 
and laterally spaced-apart mounting pins. Each of the laterally 
spaced-apart portions extending between the generally coaxially aligned 
mounting pins is positioned at a different lengthwise extending location 
than another generally parallel and spaced apart plurality of elongate 
mounting pins so that at least two of the laterally spaced-apart portions 
define a plurality of staggered gaps extending between the generally 
coaxially aligned mounting pins. The plurality of staggered gaps thereby 
advantageously form electrical isolation between the plurality of 
generally coaxially aligned mounting pins and thereby increase the 
stiffness of the sensing apparatus. The plurality of mounting pins are 
each formed of an electrically conductive rigid material and positioned so 
as to define electrical connectors for the transducer and the signal 
conditioning means and to provide physical support for the transducer and 
the signal conditioning means mounted thereto. 
Additionally, each of the transducer and the signal conditioning means are 
preferably formed on the same surface, e.g., the upper surface, of the 
same semiconductor wafer substrate. A plurality of bonding pads are also 
formed on the upper surface of the same semiconductor wafer substrate for 
bonding the transducer and the signal conditioning means to the plurality 
of mounting pins. Also, a plurality of conductive traces are preferably 
formed in the same substrate to provide conductive paths between the 
transducer and the signal conditioning means. The transducer can include a 
planar surface for more sensitively sensing a field having flux lines 
extending either generally perpendicular to the planar surface or 
generally parallel to the planar surface. 
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the first and 
second pin portions of each of the plurality of mounting pins of the 
compact sensing apparatus preferably is a single unitary pin. The single 
unitary pin preferably includes a bend formed therein having an angle of 
bend defining the predetermined angle of orientation of the first and 
second pin portions. The transducer can also include a channel formed 
closely adjacent an edge thereof for adaptively positioning the transducer 
closely adjacent the bend so that the transducer adaptively clears the 
bend of each of the plurality of mounting pins. The transducer 
advantageously can be connected to either a forwardly extending surface of 
the first pin portion which extends away from the signal conditioning 
means or to a rearwardly extending surface of the first pin portion which 
extends toward said signal conditioning means or to either of two surfaces 
on the second pin portion. 
The present invention also includes methods of compactly mounting a sensing 
apparatus. The method preferably includes the steps of forming a 
transducer and a signal conditioner from the same semiconductor wafer and 
providing at least two mounting surfaces. The at least two mounting 
surfaces are oriented with respect to each other at a predetermined angle. 
The predetermined angle is preferably less than 180 degrees and more 
preferably is in the range of about 70-110 degrees. The method also 
includes connecting the transducer to one of the at least two mounting 
surfaces and connecting the signal conditioner to another one of the at 
least two mounting surfaces. 
Another method of compactly mounting a sensing apparatus according to the 
present invention preferably includes providing a transducer and a signal 
conditioner and positioning the signal conditioner so that the lateral 
extent thereof is generally perpendicular to the lateral extent of the 
transducer. The transducer and the signal conditioner are each 
respectively mounted on at least two mounting surfaces. The at least two 
mounting surfaces are preferably oriented with respect to each other at a 
predetermined angle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with 
reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred 
embodiments of the invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in 
many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the 
illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these illustrated 
embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and 
complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those 
skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, the 
prime notation, if used, indicates similar elements in alternative 
embodiments. 
FIGS. 1-2 illustrate field sensing transducers 22, 22' including planar 
surfaces 24, 24' and electric or magnetic fields 26, 26' of a compact 
sensing apparatus according to first and second embodiments of the present 
invention. For simplicity, the field sensing transducers 22, 22' will be 
referred to as transducers 22, and electric or magnetic fields 26, 26' 
will be referred to simply as fields 26. As understood by those skilled in 
the art, there are numerous types of transducers 22 that sense the 
presence or magnitude of electrical or magnetic fields 26 which can be 
used in the compact sensing apparatus of the present invention. These 
transducers 22 are usually fabricated on semiconductor wafers by 
deposition of material onto the planar surface 24 of the wafer. These 
transducers 22 generate electrical signals in proportion to the number of 
lines of flux of the field 26 that pass through the material of the 
transducer 22 in a preferred direction relative to the transducer's planar 
surface 24. 
Some transducers 22, however, are more sensitive to fields 26 that are 
generally parallel to this planar surface 24, and others are more 
sensitive to fields 26 that are generally perpendicular to the planar 
surface 24. Also for simplicity, the transducers 22 whose preferred field 
26 direction is generally perpendicular to the planar surface 24 will be 
referred to as orthogonal transducers 22, and transducers 22 whose 
preferred field 26 direction is generally parallel to the planar surface 
24 will be referred to as transverse transducers 22. 
An example of a transverse transducer 22 that senses fields 26 oriented 
generally parallel to its planar surface 24 is a magnetoresistor. Examples 
of orthogonal transducers 22 that sense fields 26 oriented generally 
perpendicular to their planar surfaces 24 are magnetic sensors such as 
Hall effect cells and electrical sensors such as capacitive transducers 
22. A difference between these two sensors, for example, is that the Hall 
effect cell detects magnetic fields and the capacitive transducer detects 
electrical fields. 
FIG. 1, on the one hand, illustrates the field 26 of a transverse 
transducer 22, or one with maximum sensitivity attained when the field 26 
is generally parallel or transverse to the planar surface 24 of the 
transducer 22. FIG. 2, on the other hand, shows the field 26 of an 
orthogonal transducer 22, or one with maximum sensitivity when the field 
26 is generally perpendicular or orthogonal to the planar surface 24 of 
the transducer 22. As understood by those skilled in the art, numerous 
other types of transverse and orthogonal transducers 22 also exist and can 
be used according to the present invention. Specifically, these may be 
inductive sensors, planar antenna arrays, light transducers, or any other 
electromagnetic sensor. In like manner, transducers that respond to 
physical forces in a preferred direction, such as micro-machined pressure 
sensors, flow sensors, or accelerometers also can be configured for a 
minimum cross section 34 according to the present invention. In examples 
of sensors that sense physical forces, the lines of flux of the field 26 
can be considered to be the lines of the force or forces being sensed for 
the purposes of this invention. 
FIG. 3 illustrates an arrangement of an orthogonal transducer 22 and signal 
conditioning means, e.g., preferably provided by a signal conditioner 28 
or signal conditioning circuitry, formed on the planar surface 24 of a 
semiconductor wafer in relation to a target 30, a field 26, a sensor cross 
section 34, and a sensor axis 36 for a compact sensing apparatus 32 with 
the transducer 22 and the signal conditioner 28 joined as manufactured on 
the wafer. For the purposes of this discussion, the target 30 will be 
considered to be any object that either generates fields 26 or forces or 
that by changes in physical or electromagnetic properties causes a change 
in the magnitude or flux density of the field 26 or the forces at the 
planar surface 24 of the transducer 22. Also, for the purposes of this 
description, the cross section 34 of the compact sensing apparatus 32 is 
defined to be generally perpendicular to the sensor axis 36. The sensor 
cross section 34 is further defined to be the diameter of the smallest 
circle encompassing all parts of the sensor 32 drawn at a right angle to 
the sensor axis 36. 
Generally, the least expensive method of mounting a sensing apparatus 32 in 
a mechanical or electrical system is to drill a hole in a desired mounting 
structure and secure the sensing apparatus 32 in the hole. In most 
systems, the hole must be kept as small as possible to decrease 
manufacturing costs, to reduce the size of the system as much as possible, 
and to provide the maximum possible amount of material surrounding the 
hole in order to provide the maximum mechanical stiffness for the system. 
To make this hole as small as possible, the components of the sensing 
apparatus 32 preferably should be arranged to provide the smallest cross 
section 34 for the sensing apparatus 32 when the sensor axis 36 is aligned 
with the central axis of the hole. 
Often, the signal from the transducer 22 is too weak to overcome external 
noise, is changed significantly by changes in temperature, contains a 
large offset, or in some other manner is inadequate for direct connection 
to remote sensor monitoring equipment. In these cases the signal is 
modified by a signal conditioner 28 which is preferably placed as closely 
as possible to the transducer 22. To allow the signal conditioner 28 to 
best compensate for changes in transducer 22 signal levels due to changes 
in temperature, the signal conditioner 28 and transducer 22 are preferably 
manufactured on the same semiconductor wafer. In this manner, any process 
variations encountered during the manufacturing process will cause the 
changes in temperature to be felt equally by both the transducer 22 and 
the signal conditioner 28. If the transducer 22 and signal conditioner 28 
are kept at the same temperature, this allows the signal conditioner 28 to 
cancel the effects of transducer 22 signal change as a result of changes 
in temperature. For modem microelectronic sensors, this generally means 
that the planar surface 24 of the transducer 22 is preferably the same as 
the planar surface 24 of the signal conditioner 28. 
FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of a compact sensing apparatus 32 employing an 
orthogonal transducer 22 arranged to monitor a target 30 that generates or 
modifies a field 26 that is parallel to the sensor axis 36. Note that if 
the signal conditioner 28 and transducer 22 are manufactured as a single 
chip as shown, this arrangement results in a cross section 34 that 
includes the area required by both the transducer 22 and the signal 
conditioner 28. This results in a significantly larger cross section 34 
than would be required for the transducer 22 alone. 
FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement of a compact sensing apparatus 32 
utilizing a transverse transducer 22 to monitor a field 26 parallel to the 
sensor axis 36. Note that the cross section 34 for this arrangement is 
significantly smaller than the cross section 34 for the sensing apparatus 
32 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5, on the other hand, illustrates a method of 
arranging or compactly mounting an orthogonal transducer 22 and signal 
conditioner 28 to realize the smallest possible cross section 34 for the 
sensing apparatus 32. This is accomplished by physically separating the 
transducer 22 and signal conditioner 28 and then mounting the signal 
conditioner 28 so its planar surface 24 is positionally aligned with the 
sensor axis 36. 
FIG. 6 illustrates an arrangement for an orthogonal transducer 22 employed 
to sense a field 26 that is perpendicular to the sensor axis 36. Note this 
method of arrangement does not differ from the arrangement shown in FIG. 3 
except that the transducer 22 and signal conditioner 28 chips are two 
separate objects. This allows the transducer 22 to be fabricated from 
different semiconductor materials or in a different process than the 
signal conditioner 28. If the transducer 22 and signal conditioner 28 are 
manufactured on the same semiconductor wafer, the arrangement shown in 
FIG. 3 is preferred because it requires fewer manufacturing steps. 
FIGS. 7a and 7b respectively are a top plan view and a side elevational 
view of the formation of a sensing apparatus 32 on the planar surface 24 
of a semiconductor wafer. Note that although only one chip is shown, many 
such identical chips are formed on the same wafer simultaneously. Note 
also that the chip is shown after being cut apart from each other sensor 
or transducer chip so formed on the wafer. The transducer 22 and signal 
conditioner 28 are formed on the planar surface 24 using semiconductor 
fabrication techniques well known in the art. Additionally, conductive 
traces 38a, 38b are formed to provide electrical connection between the 
transducer 22 and the signal conditioner 28 and between the signal 
conditioner 28 and the remote sensor monitoring equipment. Before these 
conductive traces 38a, 38b are applied, however, an etched channel 42 is 
preferably formed by masking and etching processes as understood by those 
skilled in the art. Bond pads 40 are added to provide electrical 
connection to other devices or between the transducer 22 and signal 
conditioner 28 if they are to be separated (also note the optional cutting 
path 44). If the sensing apparatus 32 is to be fabricated as a single 
monolithic device as shown in FIG. 4, this cut is not made. If the 
transducer 22 is to be oriented as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, however, the 
transducer 22 and signal conditioner 28 are cut apart along the line 
shown. 
FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a plurality of spaced-apart and elongate 
mounting pins 46 used to connect the transducer 22 to the signal 
conditioner 28 and to connect the signal conditioner 28 to external sensor 
monitoring equipment. Each of the plurality of mounting pins 46 preferably 
include a first pin portion and a second pin portion connected to the 
first pin portion at a predetermined angle. As illustrated, the first pin 
portion preferably has a length less than the second pin portion, but this 
may vary depending on the staggered gaps, for example, as described 
further below herein. The predetermined angle is preferably in the range 
of about 70-110 degrees, and more particularly at about right angles, 
e.g., 85-95 degrees. The transducer formed from a semiconductor wafer is 
preferably mounted to the first pin portion for generating a transducer 
signal. The signal conditioner, preferably formed from the same 
semiconductor wafer as the transducer, is preferably mounted to the second 
pin portion for conditioning the transducer signal (see also FIGS. 10-11). 
The lengthwise extent of each of the plurality of spaced-apart and elongate 
mounting pins 46 is preferably spaced-apart from and generally parallel to 
the lengthwise extent of another one of the plurality of pins 46. The 
plurality of mounting pins 46 include a plurality of generally coaxially 
aligned and laterally spaced-apart mounting pins. Preferably, as 
illustrated, at least two of the mounting pins 46, or pin portions, turn 
at approximate right angles to connect the transducer 22 to the signal 
conditioner 28, and at least two of the mounting pins are relatively 
straight to connect the signal conditioner 28 to external sensor 
monitoring equipment. Each of the laterally spaced-apart portions 
extending between the generally coaxially aligned mounting pins is 
positioned at a different lengthwise extending location than another 
generally parallel and spaced apart plurality of elongate mounting pins so 
that at least two of the laterally spaced-apart portions define a 
plurality of staggered gaps 48 extending between the generally coaxially 
aligned mounting pins. The plurality of staggered gaps 48 thereby form 
electrical isolation between the plurality of generally coaxially aligned 
mounting pins and thereby increase the stiffness of the sensing apparatus. 
These gaps are staggered so they are not both in the same plane that is 
orthogonal to the sensor axis 36 to provide mechanical support for or 
increase the stiffness of the sensing apparatus 32 so it is less likely to 
bend along the sensor axis 36. 
As perhaps best illustrated in FIG. 9, insulation 50 is preferably applied 
to the pins 46 on all areas that do not require a direct electrical path 
to the transducer 22, the signal conditioner 28, or to external monitoring 
equipment. Since the insulation 50 is usually not rigid, the staggered 
gaps 48 between the pins 46 still serve to help prevent the sensor 
connector 52 from bending during manufacture. 
In some sensor applications, the magnetic field 26 changes more 
significantly for a given set of operating parameters when a magnet is 
placed behind the transducer 22 relative to the target 30. For these 
applications, FIG. 10 illustrates the arrangement of a transducer 22 and 
mounting pins 46 according to an alternative embodiment of a sensing 
apparatus 32. Here the transducer 22 has its planar surface 24 rotated and 
placed against the pins 46 at a point closest to the target 30. An 
electrical connection is made to the bond pads 40 and mechanical support 
for the chips is realized through the use of conductive epoxies, solder 
bumps, or some other appropriate method as understood by those skilled in 
the art. In these applications the field 26 penetrates the transducer 22 
from the side opposite its planar surface 24. This arrangement also makes 
the transducer 22 as sensitive to the field 26 as possible by placing the 
planar surface 24 of the transducer 22 as close as possible to the target 
30 or to the source of the field 26. 
According to another embodiment a sensing apparatus 32 and associated 
mounting method are shown in FIG. 11. This arrangement places the 
transducer 22 so that the pins 46 are between the target 30 and the 
transducer 22. This arrangement is generally used where the field 26 is 
more advantageously modified by the pins 46 being in this position; where 
the transducer 22 planar surface 24 is to be protected by the pins 46; or 
where more precise mechanical alignment of the transducer 22 is desired. 
Since the pins 46 generally have some small but finite inner bend radius, 
the etched channel 42 serves to form a void between the transducer 22 and 
the pins 46 to allow the transducer 22 to fit flush against the pins 46 
along the flat surface of the pins 46 without interference. 
For either of the embodiments of a sensing apparatus 32 described above 
with reference to FIG. 10 or FIG. 11, the signal conditioner 28 is 
preferably placed in the position shown. It is mechanically attached and 
electrically connected to the pins 46 the same way as the transducer 22. 
Two bond pads 40 preferably connect through the mounting pins 46 to the 
transducer 22, and two bond pads 40 connect through the straight pins 46 
to external monitoring equipment. Neither drawing shows the actual bonding 
method used because the material used to form the bond is usually applied 
during chip fabrication and as such is considered an integral part of the 
bond pads 40. 
Advantageously, a compact sensing apparatus 32 according to the present 
invention as described herein can be used to physically arrange and 
electrically connect transducers 22 and signal conditioners 28 or any 
other such electrical devices requiring electrical interconnection in the 
same basic arrangement shown herein. Also, although only two mounting pins 
46 are shown connecting the transducer 22 to the signal conditioner 28, 
and two mounting pins 46 are shown connecting the signal conditioner to 
external monitoring equipment, any number of pins or pin portions can be 
used as required. 
As illustrated in FIGS. 1-11, the present invention also includes methods 
of compactly mounting a sensing apparatus 32. A method of mounting 
according to the present invention preferably includes the steps of 
forming a transducer 22 and a signal conditioner 28 from the same 
semiconductor wafer and providing at least two mounting surfaces, e.g., on 
the mounting pins 46. The at least two mounting surfaces are oriented with 
respect to each other at a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is 
preferably less than 180 degrees and more preferably is in the range of 
about 70-110 degrees. The method also includes connecting the transducer 
22 to one of the at least two mounting surfaces and connecting the signal 
conditioner 28 to another one of the at least two mounting surfaces. The 
method can additionally include the at least two mounting surfaces being 
mounting surfaces on a plurality of mounting pins 46. Each of the 
plurality of mounting pins 46 includes a first pin portion and a second 
pin portion connected to the first pin portion at the predetermined angle. 
The first pin portion has a length less than the second pin portion. The 
connecting step preferably includes mounting the transducer 22 to a 
surface of the first pin portion, and the signal conditioner connecting 
step includes mounting the signal conditioner 28 to a surface of the 
second pin portion. The first and second pin portions of each of the 
plurality of mounting pins comprise a single unitary pin. The single 
unitary pin includes a bend formed therein having an angle of bend 
defining the predetermined angle of orientation of the first and second 
pin portions. Also, a channel 42 is formed in the transducer 22, e.g., 
preferably by etching, closely adjacent an edge thereof and adaptively 
positioning the transducer 22 closely adjacent the bend so that the 
transducer 22 adaptively clears the bend of each of the plurality of 
mounting pins 46. 
The method can further include separating the transducer 22 from the signal 
conditioner 28 such as along a preselected cutting path 44 and positioning 
the signal conditioner 28 so that the lateral extent thereof is generally 
perpendicular to the lateral extent of the transducer 22. A plurality of 
bonding pads 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e and 40f can be formed on the same 
semiconductor wafer also so that the pads serve to mechanically and 
electrically bond the transducer and the signal conditioner to the 
mounting surfaces. Also, a plurality of conductive traces 38a, 38b are 
also formed on the same semiconductor wafer for providing a conductive 
path between the transducer 22 and the signal conditioner 28 in the 
special case wherein the transducer 22 and the signal conditioner 28 are 
not physically separated. 
Another method of compactly mounting a sensing apparatus 32 according to 
the present invention preferably includes providing a transducer 22 and a 
signal conditioner 28 and positioning the signal conditioner 28 so that 
the lateral extent thereof is generally perpendicular to the lateral 
extent of the transducer 22. The transducer 22 and the signal conditioner 
28 are each respectively mounted on at least two mounting surfaces. The at 
least two mounting surfaces are preferably oriented with respect to each 
other at a predetermined angle such as described above herein. 
The method can also include connecting the transducer 22 to one of the at 
least two mounting surfaces and connecting the signal conditioner 28 to 
another one of the at least two mounting surfaces. The at least two 
mounting surfaces preferably are mounting surfaces on a plurality of 
mounting pins 46. Each of the plurality of mounting pins 46 includes a 
first pin portion and a second pin portion connected to the first pin 
portion at the predetermined angle. The first pin portion has a length 
less than the second pin portion. The transducer 22 connecting step 
includes mounting the transducer 22 to a surface of the first pin portion, 
and the signal conditioner connecting step includes mounting the signal 
conditioner 28 to a surface of the second pin portion. 
The first and second pin portions of each of the plurality of mounting pins 
46 preferably are a single unitary pin, and the single unitary pin 
preferably includes a bend formed therein having an angle of bend defining 
the predetermined angle of orientation of the first and second pin 
portions. A channel 42 is also provided for the transducer 22 closely 
adjacent an edge thereof, and the transducer 22 is adaptively positioned 
closely adjacent the bend so that the transducer 22 adaptively clears the 
bend of each of the plurality of mounting pins 46. 
The method additionally can include providing a plurality of bonding pads 
40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e and 40f for each of the transducer 22 and the 
signal conditioner 28 for bonding the transducer 22 and the signal 
conditioner 28 to the mounting surfaces and forming a plurality of 
conductive traces 38a, 38b for providing a conductive path between the 
transducer 22 and the signal conditioner 28. 
In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed a typical 
preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are 
employed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only and not for 
purposes of limitation. The invention has been described in considerable 
detail with specific reference to these illustrated embodiments. It will 
be apparent, however, that various modifications and changes can be made 
within the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the foregoing 
specification and as defined in the appended claims.