Apparatuses, systems, and associated methods of manufacturing are described that provide for improved sensor devices. An example sensor device includes a magnet mounting tube and a magnet supported within the magnet mounting tube. The sensor device includes a sensor mounting tube that receives at least a portion of the magnet mounting tube and supported magnet therein. The sensor device includes a magnetic sensor affixed to the sensor mounting tube. The sensor device includes a spring positioned around the magnet mounting tube and the sensor mounting tube such that the magnet and the magnetic sensor are surrounded by the spring. In an instance in which a load is applied to either a first end or second end of the spring, the magnet mounting tube translates relative the sensor mounting tube so as to induce a change in magnetic flux identified by the magnetic sensor indicative of a weight of the load.

A packaged sensor chip includes a lead frame to which there is attached a sensor element designed to generate a sensor signal that depends on a magnetic field to which the sensor element is exposed; and a package therefor, wherein the lead frame has function terminals and wherein the lead frame has at least two calibration terminals that are arranged on two other opposing sides of the package, wherein the lead frame has conductive structures that connect the at least two calibration terminals, wherein the conductive structures are structured so as to generate a calibration magnetic field for the sensor element when a current flows through them, and wherein the conductive structures are part of a connection structure that connects a plurality of lead frames before the plurality of lead frames are disconnected from one another in a first direction in which the other two sides are opposite one another.

Magnetic position sensors, systems and methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, a position sensing system includes a magnetic field source; and a sensor module spaced apart from the magnetic field source, at least one of the magnetic field source or the sensor module configured to move relative to the other along a path, the sensor module configured to determine a position of the magnetic field source relative to the sensor module from a nonlinear function of a ratio of a first component of a magnetic field of the magnetic field source to a second component of the magnetic field of the magnetic field source.

A magnetoresistive sensor with a compensating coil comprising a silicon substrate, collection of MR sensor units disposed on the silicon substrate, collection of rectangular soft ferromagnetic flux concentrators, serpentine compensating coil, connecting circuit, and collection of bond pads used for electrical connections. The MR sensor units are interconnected to form a push-pull sensor bridge. The MR sensor units are disposed below the gap between two adjacent soft ferromagnetic flux concentrators. The serpentine compensating coil has a positive current strap over the MR sensor units and a negative current strap under the soft ferromagnetic flux concentrators. The MR sensor bridge and the serpentine compensating coil are connected through bond pads and covered with an encapsulation structure. The magnetoresistive sensor also comprises a spiral initialization coil placed on a substrate within the encapsulating structure. A sensor chip is disposed on the initialization coil, which is used for reducing magnetic hysteresis.

An exemplary wearable sensor unit includes 1) a magnetometer comprising a vapor cell comprising an input window and containing an alkali metal, and a light source configured to output light that passes through the input window and into the vapor cell along a transit path, and 2) a temperature control circuit external to the vapor cell and configured to create a temperature gradient within the vapor cell, the temperature gradient configured to concentrate the alkali metal within the vapor cell away from the transit path of the light.

An exemplary magnetic field measurement system includes a wearable sensor unit and a controller. The wearable sensor unit includes 1) a magnetometer comprising a photodetector and 2) a magnetic field generator configured to generate a compensation magnetic field configured to actively shield the magnetometer from ambient background magnetic fields. The controller is configured to interface with the magnetometer and the magnetic field generator and includes a differential signal measurement circuit configured to measure current output by the photodetector.

A magnetic field measurement system includes a wearable device having a plurality of wearable sensor units. Each wearable sensor unit includes a plurality of magnetometers and a magnetic field generator configured to generate a compensation magnetic field configured to actively shield the plurality magnetometers from ambient background magnetic fields. A strength of a fringe magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator of each of the wearable sensor units is less than a predetermined value at the plurality of magnetometers of each wearable sensor unit included in the plurality of wearable sensor units.

An exemplary magnetic field measurement system includes a wearable sensor unit and a single controller. The wearable sensor unit includes a plurality of magnetometers and a magnetic field generator configured to generate a compensation magnetic field configured to actively shield the magnetometers from ambient background magnetic fields. The single controller is configured to interface with the magnetometers and the magnetic field generator.

An exemplary magnetic field measurement system includes a wearable sensor unit that includes a magnetometer, a magnetic field generator configured to generate a compensation magnetic field configured to actively shield the magnetometer from ambient background magnetic fields, a twisted pair cable interface assembly electrically connected to the magnetometer, and a coaxial cable interface assembly electrically connected to the magnetic field generator.

A magnetic field generator includes a plurality of conductive windings comprising a first conductive winding arranged in a first plane and a second conductive winding arranged in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. The plurality of conductive windings are configured to generate, when supplied with a drive current, a first component of a compensation magnetic field. The first component of the compensation magnetic field is configured to actively shield a magnetic field sensing region located between the first conductive winding and the second conductive winding from ambient background magnetic fields along a first axis that is substantially orthogonal to the first plane and the second plane.