Combined inductive sensing and capacitive sensing

US10324572B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Cypress Semiconductor Corporation · US

Inventors

• Markus Unseld · Langenau, DE
• Cathal O'Lionaird · Macroom, IE
• Paul Walsh · Cork, IE
• Oleksandr Hoshtanar · Lviv, UA

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 29, 2017
• Grant date: Jun 18, 2019
• Expiry date: Jun 29, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

Abstract

An sense unit for inductive sensing or capacitive sensing is described. The sense unit may include a first terminal coupled to a first node, a first electrode coupled to the first node, and a second terminal. The sense unit may include a second electrode coupled to the second terminal. In a first mode, a first signal is received at the first terminal and a second signal is output on the second terminal, where the second signal may be representative of a capacitance of the sense unit. The sense unit may include an inductive coil. The sense unit may include a first capacitor. The inductive coil and the first capacitor are coupled in parallel between the first node and ground. In a second mode, a third signal is received at the first terminal and a fourth signal is output on the second terminal.