| 摘要 |
Apparatus is provided for sensing an external magnetic field. This apparatus is comprised of first and second coplanar magnetoresistive elements, each magnetoresistive element having a main current conducting path and also having anisotropic resistance as a function of the direction of the resultant magnetic field applied thereto. First and second equal bias magnetic fields are supplied to the first and second magnetoresistive elements, respectively, these bias magnetic fields being supplied at different angles with respect to their associated magnetoresistive elements. In one embodiment, the current conducting paths of the magnetoresistive elements are perpendicular to each other, and the respective bias magnetic fields extend in opposite directions, these directions being parallel to one of the main current conducting paths. In another embodiment, the main current conducting paths of the respective magnetoresistive elements extend in the same direction, and the respective bias magnetic fields are at an angle of, for example +/-45 DEG to these main current conducting paths. The first and second magnetoresistive elements are connected in series with each other, and a d.c. current is supplied to this series connection. An output signal representing the magnitude of an external magnetic field as supplied to the magnetoresistive elements is derived from the junction formed by the series-connected elements.
|
