ANGLE SENSORS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS

摘要

Embodiments relate to magnetic field angle sensors, including off-axis and on-axis sensors. In an embodiment, a magnetic field angle sensor comprises two sensor units, and each sensor unit comprises two sensor elements. The sensor units are spaced apart from one another and arranged proximate a magnet, wherein the two sensor elements of each sensor unit are responsive to the same magnetic field component induced by a magnet coupled to a shaft as the shaft rotates. In each sensor unit, a sum and a difference of the output signals of the two sensor elements can be calculated to determine a coarse estimation of a rotation angle, and a more refined estimation can be obtained by combining the coarse estimations of each sensor unit. In embodiment, the magnetic field angle sensor comprises a control unit or other circuitry to carry out this combining.

主权项

1. A magnetic field angle sensor comprising:
a magnet rotatable about an axis of rotation; a least one sensor unit arranged proximate the magnet, the at least one sensor unit comprising two magnetic field sensor elements arranged on a first continuous surface of a substrate and spaced apart from one another along a direction of movement of the magnet, the two magnetic field sensor elements responsive to the same magnet field component; and circuitry coupled to the two magnetic field sensor elements to determine an absolute angle of rotation of the magnet from a sum and a difference of output signals of the two magnet field sensor elements.