Electronic Device Comprising Hall Effect Region with Three Contacts

摘要

An electronic device is disclosed as a part of a magnetic field sensor or a mechanical stress sensor. The electronic device includes a Hall effect region, a first contact (temporarily functioning as a first supply contact), a second contact (second supply contact), and a third contact (temporarily functioning as a first sense contact) that are arranged in or on a surface of the Hall effect region. The first contact and the third contact are arranged in a substantially symmetrical manner to each other with respect to the second contact. An electrical current distribution within the Hall effect region is influenced by a physical quantity (e.g. magnetic field strength or mechanical stress) to be measured. A sense signal tapped at the third contact is a function of the current distribution, the sense signal thus being indicative of the physical quantity. A corresponding sensing method using the electronic device is also disclosed.

主权项

1. An electronic device comprising:
a Hall effect region; a first contact arranged in or on a surface of the Hall effect region, and configured to function at least temporarily as a first supply contact for the Hall effect region; a second contact arranged in or on the surface of the Hall effect region, the second contact being a second supply contact for the Hall effect region; and a third contact arranged in or on the surface of the Hall effect region, and configured to function at least temporarily as a sense contact; wherein an electrical current distribution within the Hall effect region is influenced by a physical quantity to be measured, and wherein a sense signal tapped at the third contact is a function of the current distribution, the sense signal thus being indicative of the physical quantity.