Patent ID: 7046117

Claim:
An integrated signal isolator having first and second ends, wherein the integrated signal isolator comprises: first and second isolator input terminals to receive a signal to be isolated; first and second isolator output terminals to provide an isolated output signal; first and second power supply terminals; first, second, third, and fourth magnetoresistors, wherein the first and second magnetoresistors are coupled in series from the first power supply terminal to the second power supply terminal and are longitudinally displace from one another, wherein the third and fourth magnetoresistors are coupled in series from the second power supply terminal to the first power supply terminal and are longitudinally displace from one another, wherein the first isolator output terminal is coupled to a junction between the first and second magnetoresistors, wherein the second isolator output terminal is coupled to a junction between the third and fourth magnetoresistors, and wherein the first and second power supply terminals cause a current to flow in a direction though the first, second, third, and fourth magnetoresistors; and, an input strap having at least one turn coupled between the first and second isolator input terminals, wherein the input strap has a first portion disposed adjacent to the first magnetoresistor and in closer proximity to the first magnetoresistor than to the second, third, and fourth magnetoresistors, a second portion disposed adjacent to the second magnetoresistor and in closer proximity to the second magnetoresistor than to the first, third, and fourth magnetoresistors, a third portion disposed adjacent to the third magnetoresistor and in closer proximity to the third magnetoresistor than to the first, second, and fourth magnetoresistors, and a fourth portion disposed adjacent to the fourth magnetoresistor and in closer proximity to the fourth magnetoresistor than to the first, second and third magnetoresistors so that a magnetic field is generated over the first and second magnetoresistors in one direction, and so that a magnetic field is generated over the third and fourth magnetoresistors in an opposite direction, wherein the current through the first portion of the input strap flows in a direction parallel to the direction of current flow through the first magnetoresistor, wherein the current through the second portion of the input strap flows in a direction parallel to the direction of current flow through the second magnetoresistors, wherein the current through the third portion of the input strap flows in a direction parallel to the direction of current flow through the third magnetoresistors, and wherein the current through the fourth portion of the input strap flows in a direction parallel to the direction of current flow through the fourth magnetoresistors.