Magnetic field sensors and sensing methods are provided. A magnetic sensor module is configured to measure a magnetic field whose magnitude oscillates between a first extrema and a second extrema. The magnetic sensor module includes a magnetic sensor configured to generate measurement values in response to sensing the magnetic field, and a sensor circuit. The sensor circuit is configured to generate a measurement signal based on the measurement values, adjust an offset of the measurement signal according to an offset update algorithm and a first characteristic of the measurement signal, generate a pulsed output signal having pulses that are generated based on the adjusted measurement signal crossing the switching threshold, and selectively enable and disable the offset update algorithm based on a second characteristic of the measurement signal.

Apparatus and methods provide a current sensor system including a plurality of current sensors positioned proximate a plurality of conductors. Each conductor is configured to carry a current to be measured. Each current sensor comprises one or more magnetic field sensing elements configured to generate a respective magnetic field signal indicative of a detected magnetic field. The plurality of current sensors includes a first number of current sensors and the plurality of conductors includes a second number of conductors such that the first number is at least one more than the second number. A controller is coupled to receive the magnetic field signal from each of the current sensors and, for each magnetic field sensing element, is configured to characterize a magnetic coupling between the magnetic field sensing element and each of the plurality of conductors.

Apparatus and methods provide a current sensor system including a plurality of current sensors positioned proximate a plurality of conductors. Each conductor is configured to carry a current to be measured. Each current sensor comprises one or more magnetic field sensing elements configured to generate a respective magnetic field signal indicative of a detected magnetic field. The plurality of current sensors includes a first number of current sensors and the plurality of conductors includes a second number of conductors such that the first number is at least one more than the second number. A controller is coupled to receive the magnetic field signal from each of the current sensors and, for each magnetic field sensing element, is configured to characterize a magnetic coupling between the magnetic field sensing element and each of the plurality of conductors.

A current sensor includes first and second bus bars aligned and arranged in such a manner to be spaced from each other in a plate width direction, a third bus bar arranged in such a manner that a plate thickness direction thereof coincides with a plate thickness direction of the first and second bus bars and a length direction thereof is orthogonal to a length direction of the first and second bus bars, first and second magnetic detection elements arranged opposite the first and second bus bars respectively in the plate thickness direction, and a third magnetic detection element arranged opposite the third bus bar in the plate thickness direction. The first and second magnetic detection elements are gradient detection type magnetic detection elements and are arranged in such a manner that a detection axis direction thereof is perpendicular to the length direction of the first and second bus bars and is tilted with respect to the plate thickness direction of the first and second bus bars. The third magnetic detection element is arranged in such a manner that a detection axis direction thereof coincides with a plate width direction of the third bus bar.

A current sensor includes first and second bus bars aligned and arranged in such a manner to be spaced from each other in a plate width direction, a third bus bar arranged in such a manner that a plate thickness direction thereof coincides with a plate thickness direction of the first and second bus bars and a length direction thereof is orthogonal to a length direction of the first and second bus bars, first and second magnetic detection elements arranged opposite the first and second bus bars respectively in the plate thickness direction, and a third magnetic detection element arranged opposite the third bus bar in the plate thickness direction. The first and second magnetic detection elements are gradient detection type magnetic detection elements and are arranged in such a manner that a detection axis direction thereof is perpendicular to the length direction of the first and second bus bars and is tilted with respect to the plate thickness direction of the first and second bus bars. The third magnetic detection element is arranged in such a manner that a detection axis direction thereof coincides with a plate width direction of the third bus bar.

A magnetic field sensor arrangement for determining a signal magnetic flux in a manner which is substantially strayfield immune, comprises: a signal magnetic field source; a first and second magnetic flux concentrator forming an air gap between exterior faces of the magnetic flux concentrators; the flux concentrators being configured for guiding a signal magnetic flux to and across the air gap in a gap direction; a magnetic field sensor arranged inside the air gap, and configured for measuring a first and second signal in the gap direction and perpendicular to the gap direction; and for reducing or eliminating an magnetic disturbance field based on the first and second signal. An angle sensor arrangement. A torque sensor. A method of measuring a signal flux, an angle, a torque in a substantially strayfield immune manner.

A method for steering torque sensor stray magnetic field cancellation includes receiving, from at least one magnetic sensor disposed within a torque sensing region, a detected magnetic field corresponding to an angular displacement between an upper steering shaft and a lower steering shaft of an electronic power steering system. The method also includes generating a first torque signal based on the detected magnetic field and receiving, from at least one stray region sensor disposed outside of the torque sensing region, a detected stray magnetic field. The method also includes determining a torque signal error based on the detected stray magnetic field and generating a second torque signal based on the first torque signal and the torque signal error. The method also includes selectively controlling at least a portion of the electronic power steering system using the second torque signal.

A method for steering torque sensor stray magnetic field cancellation includes receiving, from at least one magnetic sensor disposed within a torque sensing region, a detected magnetic field corresponding to an angular displacement between an upper steering shaft and a lower steering shaft of an electronic power steering system. The method also includes generating a first torque signal based on the detected magnetic field and receiving, from at least one stray region sensor disposed outside of the torque sensing region, a detected stray magnetic field. The method also includes determining a torque signal error based on the detected stray magnetic field and generating a second torque signal based on the first torque signal and the torque signal error. The method also includes selectively controlling at least a portion of the electronic power steering system using the second torque signal.

Methods, apparatuses, and systems for detecting a stray magnetic field are provided. An example apparatus may include a first magnetic sensor element at a first position relative to a magnetic field source to detect a target magnetic field emitted by the magnetic field source, a second magnetic sensor element at a second position relative to the magnetic field source to detect the target magnetic field emitted by the magnetic field source, and a processor element electronically coupled to the first magnetic sensor element and the second magnetic sensor element. In some examples, the processor element may be configured to: receive a first output from the first magnetic sensor element, receive a second output from the second magnetic sensor element, and detect the stray magnetic field interfering with the target magnetic field based at least in part on the first output and the second output.

A magnetic sensor includes a bridge circuit including a plurality of magnetic field sensor elements, each configured to generate a sensor signal in response to the magnetic field impinging thereon, where the bridge circuit is configured to generate a differential signal based on sensor signals generated by the plurality of magnetic field sensor elements. The bridge circuit further includes a plurality of resistors, where at least one resistor of the plurality of resistors is coupled in parallel to each of the plurality of magnetic field sensor elements.