Method and circuit arrangement for determining the direction of an external magnetic field
US6486663B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 31, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R33/09
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for determining the direction of an external magnetic field (B) using a magneto-resistive sensor comprises the following steps: superimposing a fluctuating magnetic field on the external magnetic field (B); creating a first and second signal dependent on the sine and cosine of the angle between the external magnetic field and a reference vector by decoupling or disregarding the respective signal components which are dependent on the fluctuating magnetic field; determination of a third signal which is dependent upon the angle between the external magnetic field and a reference vector on the basis of the first and second signal whereby said third signal has a periodicity of 180°; determination of a logic correction signal (K5) with regard to the signal component which is dependent on the fluctuating magnetic field decoupled from either the first or second signal and which adopts a value for the angle of the external magnetic field in a first angle range, in particular between 0° and 180° and adopts another value in a second angle range, in particular between 180° and 360°; and determination of the actual angle of magnetic field (B) on the basis of a logic…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.