Magnetic field sensor having anisotropic magnetoresisitive elements, with improved arrangement of magnetization elements thereof

摘要

An integrated magnetic-field sensor designed to detect an external magnetic field, comprising a first magnetoresistive structure for detecting the external magnetic field, the first magnetoresistive structure including first magnetoresistive means having a main axis of magnetization and a secondary axis of magnetization set orthogonal to one another. The magnetic-field sensor further comprises a magnetic-field generator, including a first portion configured for generating a first magnetic field having field lines in a first field direction, and a second portion, which is coplanar and is connected to the first portion, configured for generating a second magnetic field having field lines in a second field direction, the first magnetoresistive means being configured so that the main axis of magnetization extends parallel to the first field direction, and the secondary axis of magnetization extends parallel to the second field direction.

主权项

1. An integrated magnetic-field sensor to detect an external magnetic field, comprising:
a first magnetoresistive structure configured to detect said external magnetic field, the first magnetoresistive structure having a main axis of magnetization and a secondary axis of magnetization orthogonal to one another, the first magnetoresistive structure including:
a first magnetoresistive element having a length and width that are substantially parallel to the main and secondary axes of magnetization, respectively; and a magnetic-field generator including:
a first portion extending longitudinally in a first plane and configured to generate a first magnetic field having field lines along a first field direction that is parallel to the main axis of magnetization; anda second portion extending longitudinally in the first plane, electrically coupled to the first portion, and configured to generate a second magnetic field having field lines along a second field direction that is parallel to the secondary axis of magnetization, the second portion being physically separate and spaced apart from the first portion, the first magnetoresistive element being configured to be magnetized by the first magnetic field along the main axis of magnetization and to be magnetized by the second magnetic field along the secondary axis of magnetization.