The present disclosure generally relates to a Wheatstone bridge array that has four resistors. Each resistor includes a plurality of TMR structures. Two resistors have identical TMR structures. The remaining two resistors also have identical TMR structures, though the TMR structures are different from the other two resistors. Additionally, the two resistors that have identical TMR structures have a different resistance area as compared to the remaining two resistors that have identical TMR structures. Therefore, the working bias field for the Wheatstone bridge array is non-zero.

A method for detecting a magnetic field using a spin-orbit torque magnetic field sensor is described. The spin-orbit torque magnetic field sensor comprises a magnetic layer having a switchable magnetic state. The method comprises: (i) providing an alternating current to the sensor for creating an oscillatory spin-orbit torque in the magnetic layer to switch the switchable magnetic state between two magnetic states; and (ii) measuring an output voltage of the sensor, the output voltage being dependent on the magnetic field and is a time average of a time-varying anomalous Hall voltage generated in the magnetic layer in response to the oscillatory spin-orbit torque and the magnetic field. The time-varying anomalous Hall voltage is a function of the alternating current and a Hall resistance of the magnetic layer, and the Hall resistance is associated with a duration in which the switchable magnetization is in each of the two magnetic states and the duration is associated with a magnitude and a polarity of the magnetic field. An apparatus for performing the method is also described.

The method relates to a synchronization of a magnetic locating system including a first device and a second device each including an oscillator, a time counter clocked by the oscillator, and a radiocommunication module. The locating system also includes a device for emitting and receiving alternating magnetic fields, the device being configured to allow a propagation of alternating magnetic fields between the first and second devices, the device for emitting and receiving alternating magnetic fields being connected to the oscillators of the first and second devices. The synchronizing method includes a synchronizing step that is configured to synchronize the oscillators of the first and second devices by adjusting, by servo-controlling the oscillator of the second device, the operation of the time counter of the second device to the operation of the time counter of the first device.

Axial magnetic flux sensors are described. The axial magnetic flux sensors comprise multiple substrates with conductive traces on them in some embodiments, and in other embodiments a single substrate or no substrate. When multiple substrates are provided, the substrates couple together such that the conductive traces connect to form a coil. The coil may be a continuous, multi-loop coil. When the substrates are coupled together, they may define an opening to accommodate a shaft or other piece of equipment.

A magnetic sensor includes a first path and a second path, a plurality of structures, and a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes. The first path includes at least one first array. The second path includes at least one second array. The at least one first array and the at least one second array are disposed so that they are arranged in a first direction. The at least one first array and the at least one second array each include an odd number of structures disposed so that they are arranged in a second direction.

The present disclosure provides a magnetic field sensor system, comprising an AMR magnetic field sensor and an overcurrent detection sensor. The overcurrent detection sensor comprises an AMR sensing element connected in a half bride arrangement with a field insensitive component. The output of the overcurrent detection sensor is able to monitor the strength of the magnetic field experiences by the sensor system, and detect if the magnet field goes beyond a sensing threshold of the AMR magnetic field sensor. Outside of this threshold, the AMR magnet field sensor is unable to provide a measurement of the magnetic field strength. The overcurrent detection sensor can therefore detect that the system is operating in very high magnetic fields, which in turn can indicate that there is overcurrent in the system.

Superparamagnetic nanoparticle-based analytical method comprising providing a sample having analytes in a sample matrix, providing a point of care chip having analytical regions, each of which is a stationary phase having at least one or more sections, labeling each of the analytes with a superparamagnetic nanoparticle and immobilizing the labeled analytes in the stationary phase, providing an analytical device having a means for exciting the superparamagnetic nanoparticles in vitro and a means for sensing, receiving, and transmitting response of the excited superparamagnetic nanoparticles, placing the chip in the analytical device and exciting the superparamagnetic nanoparticles in vitro, sensing, receiving, and transmitting the response of the superparamagnetic nanoparticles, and analyzing the response and determining characteristic of the analytes, wherein the response of the superparamagnetic nanoparticles comprises harmonics. The present invention also provides the hybrid point of care chip and analyzer to be used in the analytical method.

A Hall sensor includes a Hall well, such as an implanted region in a surface layer of a semiconductor structure, and four doped regions spaced apart from one another in the implanted region. The implanted region and the doped regions include majority carriers of the same conductivity type. The sensor also includes a dielectric layer that extends over the implanted region, and an electrode layer over the dielectric layer to operate as a control gate to set or adjust the sensor performance. A first supply circuit provides a first bias signal to a first pair of the terminals, and a second supply circuit provides a second bias signal to the electrode layer.

A method includes generating a reference voltage by periodically switching direction of current flow in a diagnostic sensor, where the reference voltage is a non-sinusoidal differential voltage of which an amplitude alternates between minimum and maximum values, and where the reference voltage includes a diagnostic sensor output voltage component responsive to an external magnetic field and a diagnostic sensor offset voltage component responsive to a mismatch of the diagnostic sensor. The method also includes amplifying the reference voltage to produce an amplified reference voltage, where the amplified reference voltage is a differential voltage having an amplifier offset voltage component. Additionally, the method includes demodulating the amplified reference voltage by filtering the diagnostic sensor offset voltage component and the amplifier offset voltage component to produce a demodulated voltage. Also, the method includes digitizing the demodulated voltage to produce a digitized voltage.

The present disclosure provides a magnetic field sensor system, comprising an AMR magnetic field sensor and an overcurrent detection sensor. The overcurrent detection sensor comprises an AMR sensing element connected in a half bride arrangement with a field insensitive component. The output of the overcurrent detection sensor is able to monitor the strength of the magnetic field experiences by the sensor system, and detect if the magnet field goes beyond a sensing threshold of the AMR magnetic field sensor. Outside of this threshold, the AMR magnet field sensor is unable to provide a measurement of the magnetic field strength. The overcurrent detection sensor can therefore detect that the system is operating in very high magnetic fields, which in turn can indicate that there is overcurrent in the system.