Sensor with estimated real-time parameter data

Abstract

A method and apparatus for receiving data from at least one sensor at a first time point, determining parameters from the received data at the first time point, estimating parameters for future time points based on the data at the first time point, and outputting the estimated parameters for the future time points to a receiving device. In some embodiments, an IC package can process the received data to generate the estimated parameters for the future time points. The IC package can transmit the estimated parameters using a specific protocol. In some embodiments, the receiving device can treat the estimated parameters as real-time data.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] As is known in the art, sensors are capable of detecting the position of a moving target. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a sensor can detect magnetic field changes caused by a rotating target to determine the target's location. However, the target location information is outdated by the time the information is used. In conventional systems, a receiver that processes the target information may receive target location information that is outdated when it is received. Summary of the Invention

[0003]

[0002] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and apparatus for transmitting estimated parameters for a future time point as real-time target location data that can be handled by a receiving device. The parameters can include various types of parameters that can be generated from various sensor types. In embodiments, the parameters are expected to change over time. Current parameter data can be used to estimate parameters for a future time point. The future time point can be identified based on multiple factors, such as sensor data processing time, transmission time, and receiving device processing time. In embodiments, the receiving device can handle the estimated parameters as real-time information.

[0004] In embodiments, a device such as an integrated circuit (IC) measures a parameter such as a current rotation angle and predictively calculates the angle at a specific moment in the future. The estimated target angle can be output digitally and can include compensation for the time required to transmit and process the data (which can include processing time internal and / or external to the IC and / or receiver). Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a synchronized angle measurement and data transmission system that compensates for rotational changes in target position that occur during data transmission and processing so that a receiver of the data can decode an angle value that represents the predicted actual target angular position at that precise moment.

[0005]

[0004] For example, to efficiently commutate and rotate a brushless synchronous motor, the rotor position must be accurately known by the controller. However, because a rotating motor continually changes angle, it takes time for the sensor to measure the angle and transmit the data, and time for the receiver to process the data. By the time the receiver has the angle information, the information is out of date, which can result in a less efficient motor drive system that can exhibit undesirable torque ripple. Using an analog voltage to transmit the detected angle can reduce the delay, but it does not eliminate it. Furthermore, analog voltages may not offer certain advantages of digital data transmission, such as noise immunity, diagnostic reporting capabilities, reduced wire count, greater accuracy, and direct angle values ​​without the need for calculations.

[0006]

[0005] Exemplary embodiments enable a receiver to interpret target position information as real-time information once the target position is used, allowing a motor drive circuit to, for example, be commutated at maximum motor performance.

[0007] While exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to motor control applications, particularly angular and / or linear position measurement applications, it will be understood that the embodiments are applicable to sensor data and estimated parameter data applications in general, where it is desirable to have parameter data that does not need to be processed by the receiving equipment. Another exemplary embodiment is an IC that measures current, transmits the measurement data using a digital protocol, and utilizes estimated real-time parameter data. The advantages of using parameter information without processing, e.g., as real-time data, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art of software development, e.g., for system control.

[0008]

[0007] In one aspect, the method includes steps of receiving data at a first time point from at least one sensor, determining parameters from the received data at the first time point, estimating parameters for a future time point based on the data at the first time point, and outputting the estimated parameters for the future time point to a receiving device.

[0009] The method may further include one or more of the following features: the data includes one or more of temperature data, light data, current, magnetic flux density, position, angle, and / or electromagnetic field strength; the at least one sensor includes an inductive sensor, a magnetic field strength sensor, a light sensor, a temperature sensor, a current sensor, an angle sensor, and / or a magnetic position sensor; the at least one sensor includes part of an integrated circuit (IC) package; the at least one sensor is connected to the integrated circuit (IC) package; the step of estimating the parameters for a future time point is performed by the integrated circuit (IC) package; the step of outputting the estimated parameters to a receiving device is performed by the IC package; the IC package includes a magnetic field sensor integrated circuit (IC) package, and the parameters include an angular position of the target at a first time point, wherein the IC package is configured to determine a rotational speed of the target, and the IC package performs a step of determining a rotational speed and an angular position of the target at the first time point based on the rotational speed and the angular position of the target. , configured to estimate an angular position of the target at a future time, and the IC package is configured to output the estimated angular position of the target at the future time to a communication protocol, wherein estimating the future time includes estimating a time for processing data from at least one sensor, wherein estimating the future time includes estimating a time for performing processing to generate estimated parameters at the future time, wherein estimating the future time includes estimating a time corresponding to digital transmission of the estimated parameters at the future time to a receiving device, wherein estimating the future time includes estimating a time for the receiving device to process the estimated parameters at the future time, wherein estimating the future time includes estimating a time for the IC package to process signals from at least one sensor in the IC package, and estimating a time for the IC package to perform processing to estimate parameters at the future time;a receiving device including an engine control unit (ECU) and an external device including a serial peripheral interface (SPI), a single-edge nibble transmission (SENT), a controller area network (CAN bus), a low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS ... 2 C, pulse width modulation (PWM), and / or ABI, the communication protocol includes pulses to achieve a constant length for the message, and / or the estimated parameters are transmitted in nibbles.

[0010]

[0009] In another aspect, the system includes an interface for receiving data at a first time point from at least one sensor, a processing module for determining parameters from the received data at the first time point and estimating parameters for future time points based on the data at the first time point, and an output for outputting the estimated parameters for future time points to a receiving device.

[0011] The device may further include one or more of the following features: the data includes one or more of temperature data, light data, current, magnetic flux density, position, angle, and / or electromagnetic field strength; the at least one sensor includes an inductive sensor, a magnetic field strength sensor, a light sensor, a temperature sensor, a current sensor, an angle sensor, and / or a magnetic position sensor; the at least one sensor includes part of an integrated circuit (IC) package; the at least one sensor is connected to the integrated circuit (IC) package; estimating the parameters for a future time point is performed by the integrated circuit (IC) package; outputting the estimated parameters to the receiving device is performed by the IC package; the IC package includes a magnetic field sensor integrated circuit (IC) package; the parameters include an angular position of the target at a first time point, wherein the IC package is configured to determine a rotational speed of the target, and the IC package is configured to determine a rotational speed and an angular position of the target at the first time point. and estimating an angular position of the target at a future time point, the IC package being configured to output the estimated angular position of the target at the future time point to a communication protocol, wherein estimating the future time point includes estimating a time for processing data from at least one sensor, wherein estimating the future time point includes estimating a time for performing processing to generate estimated parameters at the future time point, wherein estimating the future time point includes estimating a time corresponding to digital transmission of the estimated parameters at the future time point to a receiving device, wherein estimating the future time point includes estimating a time for the receiving device to process the estimated parameters at the future time point, wherein estimating the future time point includes estimating a time for the IC package to process signals from at least one sensor in the IC package, and estimating a time for the IC package to perform processing to estimate parameters at the future time point,The method includes estimating a time corresponding to transmission of the estimated parameters at a future time to a receiving device, and estimating a time for the receiving device to process the estimated parameters at a future time. The receiving device includes an engine control unit (ECU), and outputting the estimated parameters to a communication protocol, the communication protocol being a serial peripheral interface (SPI), single edge nibble transmission (SENT), controller area network (CAN bus), or low voltage differential signaling (LVDS). 2 C, pulse width modulation (PWM), and / or ABI, the communication protocol includes pulses to achieve a constant length for the message, and / or the estimated parameters are transmitted in nibbles.

[0012] The foregoing features of the invention, as well as the invention itself, can be more fully understood from the following description of the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example sensor configured to provide estimated parameter data for a future time point. [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A illustrates an example magnetic field sensor for providing an estimated angular position of a target at a future time. [Figure 1B]

[0014] FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating the sensor of FIG. 1A coupled to a receiving device. [Figure 2]

[0015] FIG. 10 illustrates an example timing diagram for generating an estimated angular position of a target at a future time. [Figure 3]

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a SENT communication protocol for transmitting an estimated angular position of a target at a future time. [Figure 4]

[0017] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic representation of target position change over time. [Figure 5]

[0018] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an example sequence of steps for generating an estimated angular position of a target at a future time. [Figure 6]

[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example computer capable of performing at least a portion of the processes described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014]

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary sensor configuration for generating estimated parameter data for a given time in the future, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A sensor integrated circuit (IC) package 2 is coupled to one or more sensing elements 4. In some embodiments, the sensing elements 4 are integrated within the IC package. The sensor IC package 2 is coupled to a receiving device 6 that can receive data corresponding to the given time in the future. At the future time, the receiving device 6 can treat the data as real-time data for the given time, which is no longer a given / current time that substitutes for the future time. With this configuration, the receiving device 6 does not need to process the data differently than to use it as real-time information.

[0015]

[0021] It is understood that the sensing elements used to generate the parameter data may include any practical type of sensing element, and that the parameters may include a wide variety of parameters that may be generated from the corresponding sensing element(s). Exemplary sensing elements and / or configurations include inductive sensors for detecting electromagnetic fields generated by induced eddy currents in the target. The IC configuration may include a coil for generating a primary field and process signals from a receiving coil. In other embodiments, the IC may include transducers, such as magnetic field sensors, optical sensors, temperature sensors, current sensors, and angle sensors, for converting energy from one form to another.

[0016]

[0022] FIG. 1A illustrates an example angle sensor 10 for generating estimated target position data for a future time point, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The angle sensor 10 may be any sensor, including magnetic and inductive sensor ICs, configured to provide angular position information, and in some cases, speed and direction information. Additionally, the angle sensor 10 may be a non-contact sensor capable of providing angular position and speed or direction information of a target 12. The angle sensor 10 may provide this target information over a range of zero degrees to 360 degrees (0°-360°) or a reduced angular range. An example target 12 may include a rotating target 12, such as a gear or magnet attached to a shaft. Shown in FIG. 1A is an example of a target 12; the target 12 may be any size or three-dimensional geometric shape.

[0017]

[0023] The angle sensor 10 can generate a high resolution output by performing an error correction and calibration application that corrects errors and calibrates the angle sensor 10 output to account for manufacturing variations and non-orthogonality between the sensing channels 60, 70 of the sensing elements 40, 45.

[0018]

[0024] The angle sensor 10 may be used to detect the angular position, velocity, and / or orientation of a target 12 by detecting a magnetic field using one or more magnetic field detection elements and outputting a magnetic field signal representative of the detected magnetic field. These magnetic field detection elements may be magnetotransistors or magnetoresistive elements, or semiconductor magnetoresistive elements such as anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) detection elements, giant magnetoresistive (GMR) detection elements, tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) detection elements, magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) detection elements, indium antimonide (InSb) or Hall effect elements. In some embodiments, the magnetic field detection elements may be arranged to form a circular vertical Hall (CVH) detection element, which may include a circular body with multiple Hall effect elements disposed on and around the periphery of the circular body.

[0019]

[0025] The angle sensor 10 can also utilize techniques other than magnetic fields to determine the angle of the target 12. For example, some embodiments may include an electromagnetic induction detector using a coil that generates eddy currents on the target. This type of sensor is often referred to as an inductive position sensor. U.S. Patent No. 11,460,286, incorporated herein by reference, shows an exemplary inductive sensor.

[0020]

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the angle sensor 10 may have an X detection channel 60 that receives and processes raw sensor output from the X magnetic field detection element 40 and a Y detection channel 70 that receives and processes raw sensor output from the Y magnetic field detection element 45. The raw sensor output may be a magnetic field signal generated by the magnetic field detection elements. The magnetic field detection elements 40, 45 may be arranged orthogonal to each other such that one of the magnetic field detection elements 40, 45 generates a cosine signal and the other magnetic field detection element 40, 45 generates a sine signal.

[0021]

[0027] Other embodiments may include any practical number of detector elements, such as three detector elements at 0, 60, and 120 degrees from which the target angle can be calculated.

[0022]

[0028] Each detection channel 60, 70 may include a series of circuits or components that process the magnetic field signals from the magnetic field detection elements 40, 45. Each detection channel 60, 70 includes an analog front end (AFE), which may include filters, amplifiers, or any other circuit elements configured to attenuate or amplify the amplitude or filter frequency. The AFE receives the magnetic field signals and outputs the modified magnetic field signals to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to digitize the magnetic field signals. Digital filtering and error correction circuitry included within the detection channels 60, 70 receives the digitized magnetic field signals and performs error correction on the digitized signals. In some cases, the digital filtering circuitry performs offset correction, sensitivity drift compensation, and non-orthogonality compensation. While FIG. 1A shows two magnetic field detection elements, i.e., magnetic field detection element X 40 and magnetic field detection element Y 45, it should be understood that the angle sensor 10 may include three or more magnetic field detection elements. Furthermore, the magnetic field detection elements may be any of the magnetic field detection elements described herein.

[0023]

[0029] An angle calculator 50 receives the digitized magnetic field signals from the X detection channel 60 and the Y detection channel 70 and uses the digitized magnetic field signals to generate an uncorrected angle signal 75. This uncorrected angle signal 75 may provide an inaccurate representation of the magnetic field angle, including errors. In some instances, the angle calculator 50 may be a circuit including one or more logic gates and / or a processor configured to calculate trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. In other embodiments, the angle calculator 50 is a coordinate rotation digital computer (CORDIC) processor configured to calculate arctangent functions. The uncorrected angle signal 75 generated by the angle calculator 50 represents aspects of the detected magnetic field, such as the angular position and / or velocity of the target 12. As described more fully below, the angle calculator module 50 can estimate the target position at a given time in the future. In an embodiment, the uncorrected angle signal 75 is processed by a digital signal processor 80 to reduce or eliminate errors.

[0024]

[0030] In other embodiments, angle calculator 50 comprises a proportional-integral-integral type (PI Type II) or other type of phase-locked-loop (PLL) based angle tracking observer (ATO) configured to calculate the angle and rotational rate and possibly acceleration (in the case of a Type III controller).

[0025]

[0031] The estimated angular target position in digital form can be expressed as Digital Output Angle = Current Angle + Angular Rate * Compensated Time Delay, as described more fully below.

[0026]

[0032] It will be appreciated that embodiments in which it is desirable to use estimated "real-time" target positions to reduce or eliminate the need to process target position information before utilization are applicable to angle sensors in general. It will be appreciated that estimated real-time target positions can be provided with any practical angle sensor configuration. Exemplary angle sensors are shown in the descriptions of U.S. Patent Nos. 9,007,054, 11,112,230, and 11,333,486, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0027]

[0033] FIG. 1B illustrates an example angle sensor implementation including a system 100 having an electronic control unit (ECU) 102 (sometimes referred to as the “master component”) and one or more sensor integrated circuits (ICs) 104a-104n (often referred to as the “slave components”), such as angle sensors. The ICs 104a-104n can be various types of sensors, such as, for example, current sensors, speed sensors, angle sensors, magnetic field sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, chemical sensors, motion sensors, rotational direction sensors, position sensors, and optical sensors. The ICs 104a-104n may be the same type of sensor (e.g., each magnetic field sensor) or different types of sensors (e.g., one is a temperature sensor and the other is a magnetic field sensor). The ICs 104a-104n can monitor the same or different target parameters.

[0028]

[0034] The format of the data transmitted to the ECU 102 may be, but is not limited to, Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), Single Edge Nibble Transmission (SENT), Controller Area Network (CAN bus), Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS), I 2The SENT format may include various unidirectional and / or bidirectional formats, such as SPI, SPI-C, pulse width modulation (PWM), ABI, etc. For example, a unidirectional SENT format may be used by IC 104a to transmit absolute data to ECU 102 on message line 106. In another example, a bidirectional format (e.g., triggered SENT or Manchester format) may be used by IC 104a to transmit data to ECU 102 on message line 106 after receiving a request from ECU 102.

[0029]

[0035] Figure 2 shows the relationship between the initial time t0 and a future time t f 1B shows an example timing diagram for the magnetic field angle sensor IC package 10 of FIG. 1A illustrating estimating the angular position of a target at a future time t. At an initial time t, sensor data is acquired from the magnetic field sensing elements. The sensor data indicates the position of a rotating target, positioned relative to the sensor IC package, at the initial time t. In an example embodiment, the sensor IC 10 processes the sensor data and estimates the angular position of the target at a future time t. f Generate an estimated angular target position at

[0030]

[0036] future time t f To estimate the angular position at t, the sensor IC calculates the angular position at t f As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor IC 10 (FIG. 1A) processes the sensor data at an initial time t0 and outputs it at a future time t f We need time to estimate the target position at a future time t f To estimate the target position at t, the sensor IC must determine the rotational characteristics of the target, such as rotational speed and, optionally, acceleration. With this information, t f By calculating the amount that the target will rotate between ~t0 and a specified time, the target position is calculated as f The system can then determine where the location will be.

[0031]

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, t f The time defined as t0 can include IC processing time 210, which is the time required to process the sensor data and target rotational characteristics to output an estimated target position at a future time. As described more fully below, t f The time defined as t0 includes the time 212 for transmitting the estimated future target position to the receiving device. f The time defined as t0 may further include a time 214 for the receiving device to process the estimated future target position. In an example embodiment, the receiving device may treat the estimated future target position as real-time data. That is, in an embodiment, the receiving device does not need to process the data to estimate a real-time target position, but rather may use the IC predicted target position as the actual target position at the current time.

[0032]

[0038] Additional time elements can be used to further refine the estimated future target position. For example, fine adjustments can be made based on temperature data, which can affect circuit processing speed or propagation delay. Some embodiments can include a prediction scheme that considers the motor's inertia or maximum achievable acceleration due to the motor design, and incorporates a programmable acceleration variable into the IC to improve the predicted angular accuracy at future times.

[0033]

[0039] In other embodiments, dynamic time adjustments may be made. For example, the transmission time 212 may be adjusted based on changes in the protocol used to transmit the data. In some embodiments, the time adjustments may be made based on changes in the particular packet and / or location within the packet used to transmit the estimated future target location. That is, any changes in data transmission characteristics may affect the future time t f This can be reflected by changes in

[0034]

[0040] In some embodiments, the SENT communication protocol can be used to transmit data from sensors to a receiver, such as an ECU. As known in the art, the SENT communication protocol is a unidirectional asynchronous three-wire interface including a single line, a supply voltage line, and a ground line. In some implementations, the supply voltage is 5V, and the signal line has a low state below 0.5V and a high state above 4.1V. Pulse-width modulation (PWM) is used to encode nibbles (4 bits) for each symbol. In the SENT protocol, the time unit is called a tick, and the tick time may be configurable in microseconds. A calibration pulse precedes each message and includes a 56-tick high period to configure and calibrate the tick length. Each nibble has a constant-width low signal followed by a variable-length high period. The low period is at least 5 ticks in length, and the high period can vary between 12 and 27 ticks total time between falling edges representing nibbles ranging from 0 to 15.

[0035]

[0041] Messages in the SENT protocol are 32 bits long, i.e., 8 nibbles, and contain 24 bits of signal data representing two measurement channels of 3 nibbles each, 4 bits for error detection, and 4 bits (1 nibble) of status / communication information. The transmitted data unit has 4 bits (1 nibble) in which the time interval between the falling edges of a modulated uniform amplitude signal is evaluated.

[0036]

[0042] In some implementations, a 20-bit (5-nibble) message is transmitted containing a single 3-nibble measurement result, a 1-nibble error checksum, and a 1-nibble status / communication field. Optionally, a pause pulse may be placed at the end of each message to achieve a uniform number of ticks. The pause pulse can compensate for the variable length of the message.

[0037]

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a first SENT frame 302a and a second SENT frame 302b, each having an initial synchronization portion 304a, 304b, a message portion 306a, 306b, and optional pause pulses 308a, b to compensate for different message lengths. In the illustrated embodiment, prior to transmission of the first frame 302a, target position data for a first position θ1 (FIG. 4) is determined from sensor element data. The sensor calculates an estimated angular position θ2 for the target at some future time based on motion characteristics of the target rotation, such as velocity and acceleration. The estimated angular position θ2 for the target at some future time may be transmitted within the first frame 302a. In some embodiments, each frame may include future target position data.

[0038]

[0044] In an example SENT protocol implementation, the required synchronized time compensation may be based on, for example, the internal data processing time of the angle sensor IC, the SENT tick time, the SENT frame content and length, and the data processing time at the receiver.

[0039]

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, a target may have an initial position defined as a first angular position θ1 and a second angular position θ2 at a future time. The illustrated target positions may not be to scale, but rather may simply be intended to illustrate the motion of the target over time. The difference in angular position θ2-θ1 corresponds to the rotational motion of the target over time. The rotational velocity of the target determines the change in position over a given amount of time.

[0040]

[0046] For example, a SENT tick time of 0.5 μs may be used with a configuration including 191 ticks per frame. In this case, each frame takes 95.5 μs to transmit. A target rotating at 1 kHz will advance 0.36° / μs and rotate (0.36° / μs) × (95.5 μs) = 34° in the time it takes to transmit each SENT frame. The same target rotating at 4 kHz will rotate 138° in the time it takes to transmit each SENT frame. In this way, the target's velocity is directly proportional to the future angle estimate based on a specific future time compensation.

[0041]

[0047] In an embodiment, additional time may be allotted for the receiving circuitry (such as an ECU) to process the angle data after the SENT transmission and prepare it for application. The estimated future target position may be transmitted within the message portion 306a of the first SENT frame, as shown in Figure 3. Similarly, the second frame 302b may include the estimated future target position with respect to time based on the last collected sensor data of the first SENT frame, and so on.

[0042]

[0048] In some embodiments, the target position at a given future time point can be calculated from a known time of transmission, so that the processing time to calculate the current target position does not need to be known. That is, the time point at which the future target position will be transmitted can be known relative to the sensor data at the initial time point. A known transmission time may be used as long as there is sufficient processing time prior to transmission. As mentioned above, the receiver processing time may be taken into account.

[0043]

[0049] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described with reference to the SENT protocol, it will be understood that any suitable communication protocol may be used that allows the time of transmission to be known and / or determined to enable an estimated real-time target location.

[0044]

[0050] 5 shows an example sequence of steps for generating and outputting an estimated target position at a future time that can be treated as real-time information by a receiving device. In step 500, data is received from sensing elements, which may include Hall effect elements, magnetoresistive (MR) elements, or inductive coil elements. In step 502, the received sensor data is processed to determine a current target position. In step 504, a rotational speed of the target is determined. In step 506, an estimated target position at a future time is determined, for example, based on the rotational speed of the target. In step 508, the estimated target position data is transmitted to a receiving device, such as an ECU, which can treat the position data as real-time data regarding the target position.

[0045]

[0051] An example embodiment of the present disclosure provides a sensor IC that determines a current angular target position, determines a target rotation rate, estimates the angular target position at a specific time in the future, and outputs the estimated angular target position to a receiving device that can treat the estimated target position as real-time data for the current time.

[0046]

[0052] Embodiments of the present disclosure offer advantages over conventional systems that compensate for stale angle data in the receiver controller because exemplary sensor IC embodiments can calculate rotational speed significantly faster than the period of the digital output. Therefore, changes in rotational speed (acceleration) are determined nearly a full digital protocol period early, resulting in a more accurate predicted angle. In some embodiments, the IC can share an oscillator frequency reference with the digital output protocol bit time and future angle estimation circuitry. Using such a configuration, semiconductor oscillator frequency variations can equally affect the output protocol transmission time and time compensation, creating inherent synchronization that minimizes system errors. A final benefit outlined in this embodiment is the simplification of software in the ECU by integrating future angle estimation within the IC. This aspect can reduce development time, simplify the software qualification process, and minimize new development risk.

[0047]

[0053] As is known, some of the above-mentioned magnetic field sensing elements tend to have an axis of maximum sensitivity parallel to the substrate supporting the magnetic field sensing element, and other of the above-mentioned magnetic field sensing elements tend to have an axis of maximum sensitivity perpendicular to the substrate supporting the magnetic field sensing element. In particular, planar Hall elements tend to have an axis of sensitivity perpendicular to the substrate, while metal-based or metallic magnetoresistive elements (e.g., GMR, TMR, AMR) and vertical Hall elements tend to have an axis of sensitivity parallel to the substrate.

[0048]

[0054] As used herein, the term "magnetic field sensor" is used to describe circuits that use magnetic field sensing elements, typically in combination with other circuits. Magnetic field sensors are used in a variety of applications, including, but not limited to, angle sensors that detect the angle of a magnetic field direction, current sensors that detect a magnetic field generated by a current passed by a current-carrying conductor, magnetic switches that detect the proximity of a ferromagnetic object, rotation detectors that detect passing ferromagnetic objects, such as a ring magnet or a passage of a magnetic field of a ferromagnetic target (e.g., a gear tooth) where the magnetic field sensor is used in combination with a reverse-biased magnet or other magnets, and magnetic field sensors that detect the field density of a magnetic field.

[0049]

[0055] 6 illustrates an example computer 600 capable of performing at least some of the processes described herein. In some embodiments, the computer comprises a microcontroller or controller that receives the angle signals from the IC and, after any necessary processing, uses them to drive a motor, for example, an ECU in an automobile.

[0050]

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, computer 600 includes a processor 602, volatile memory 604, non-volatile memory 606 (e.g., a hard disk), output devices 607, and a graphical user interface (GUI) 608 (e.g., a mouse, keyboard, display). Non-volatile memory 606 stores computer instructions 612, an operating system 616, and data 618. In one example, computer instructions 612 are executed by processor 602 from volatile memory 604. In one embodiment, article 620 includes non-transitory computer-readable instructions.

[0051]

[0057] The processing may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of the two. The processing may be implemented by a computer program executing on a processor, a storage medium, or other article of manufacture readable by a programmable computer / machine, each of which includes a processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and / or storage elements), at least one input device, and one or more output devices. The program code may be applied to data entered using the input device to perform processing and generate output information.

[0052]

[0058] The system may perform processes, at least in part, through a computer program product (e.g., in a machine-readable storage device) for execution by or to control the operation of a data processing device (e.g., a programmable processor, computer, or multiple computers). Each such program may be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system. However, the program may also be implemented in assembly or machine language. The language may be a compiled or interpreted language and may be deployed in any form, such as as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communications network. A computer program may be stored on a storage medium or device (e.g., a CD-ROM, hard disk, or magnetic diskette) readable by a general-purpose or special-purpose programmable computer to configure and operate the computer when the storage medium or device is read by the computer. The process may also be embodied as a machine-readable storage medium configured by a computer program, where instructions in the computer program, when executed, cause a computer to operate.

[0053]

[0059] Processing may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform the functions of the system. All or part of the system may be implemented as one or more microcontrollers, special purpose logic circuitry (e.g., FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays) and / or ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits)).

[0054]

[0060] Having now described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will now become apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments incorporating those concepts may also be used. The embodiments contained herein are not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but rather should be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Claims

1. receiving data from at least one sensor at a first time point; determining a parameter from the received data at the first time point; estimating the parameters for future time points based on the data at a first time point; and outputting the estimated parameters for the future time point to a receiving device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data includes one or more of temperature data, light data, current, position, angle, and / or electromagnetic field strength.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises an inductive sensor, a magnetic field strength sensor, an optical sensor, a temperature sensor, a current sensor, an angle sensor, and / or a magnetic position sensor.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises part of an integrated circuit (IC) package.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is connected to an integrated circuit (IC) package.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein estimating the parameters for the future time point is performed by an integrated circuit (IC) package.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of outputting the estimated parameters to the receiving device is performed by the IC package.

8. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the IC package comprises a magnetic field sensor integrated circuit (IC) package, the parameter comprises an angular position of a target at the first time, and the IC package is configured to determine a rotational rate of the target.

9. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the IC package is configured to estimate the angular position of the target at a future time based on the rotational speed and the angular position of the target at the first time.

10. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the IC package is configured to output the estimated angular position of the target at the future time to a communication protocol.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein estimating the future time point comprises estimating a time for processing the data from the at least one sensor.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein estimating the future time point comprises estimating a time for performing processing to generate the estimated parameters at the future time point.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein estimating the future point in time comprises estimating a time corresponding to digital transmission of the estimated parameters to the receiving device at the future point in time.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein estimating the future time point comprises estimating a time for the receiving device to process the estimated parameters at the future time point.

15. estimating the future time point, estimating a time for an IC package to process a signal from the at least one sensor within the IC package; estimating a time for the IC package to process for the estimation of the parameter at the future time; estimating a time corresponding to transmission of the estimated parameters to the receiving device at the future time; and estimating a time for the receiving device to process the estimated parameters at the future time.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving device comprises an engine control unit (ECU).

17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of outputting the estimated parameters to a communication protocol.

18. The communication protocol may be a serial peripheral interface (SPI), a single edge nibble transmission (SENT), a controller area network (CAN bus), a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS), an I ２ 20. The method of claim 17, comprising: C, pulse width modulation (PWM), and / or ABI.

19. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the communication protocol includes pulses to achieve a fixed length for a message.

20. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the estimated parameters are transmitted nibble by nibble.

21. an interface for receiving data at a first time from at least one sensor; a processing module for determining parameters from the received data at the first time point and estimating the parameters for future time points based on the data at the first time point; and an output for outputting the estimated parameters for the future time point to a receiving device.

22. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the data includes one or more of temperature data, light data, current, position, angle, and / or electromagnetic field strength.

23. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an inductive sensor, a magnetic field strength sensor, an optical sensor, a temperature sensor, a current sensor, an angle sensor, and / or a magnetic position sensor.

24. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the device includes an integrated circuit (IC) package and the at least one sensor forms part of the IC package.

25. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the device includes an integrated circuit (IC) package and the at least one sensor is connected to the IC package.

26. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the device includes an integrated circuit (IC) package configured to estimate the parameter for the future time point.

27. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the (IC) package is configured to output the estimated parameters to the receiving device.

28. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the IC package includes a magnetic field sensor integrated circuit (IC) package, the parameter includes an angular position of a target at the first time, and the IC package is configured to determine a rotational rate of the target.

29. 30. The system of claim 28, wherein the IC package is configured to estimate the angular position of the target at a future time based on the rotational speed and the angular position of the target at the first time.

30. 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the IC package is configured to output the estimated angular position of the target at the future time to a communication protocol.

31. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the estimated future time comprises an estimated time for processing the data from the at least one sensor.

32. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the estimated future time point comprises an estimated time for performing processing to generate the estimated parameters at the future time point.

33. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the estimated future point in time comprises an estimated time corresponding to digital transmission of the estimated parameters to the receiving device at the future point in time.

34. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the estimated future time comprises an estimated time for the receiving device to process the estimated parameters at the future time.

35. estimating the future time point, an estimated time for an IC package to process a signal from the at least one sensor within the IC package; an estimated time for the IC package to process for the estimation of the parameter at the future time; an estimated time corresponding to transmission of the estimated parameters to the receiving device at the future time; 22. The system of claim 21, including an estimated time for the receiving device to process the estimated parameters at the future time.

36. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the receiving device comprises an engine control unit (ECU).

37. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the device is configured to output the estimated parameters to a communication protocol.

38. The communication protocol may be a serial peripheral interface (SPI), a single edge nibble transmission (SENT), a controller area network (CAN bus), a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS), an I ２ 38. The system of claim 37, including C, pulse width modulation (PWM), and / or ABI.

39. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the communication protocol includes pulses to achieve a fixed length for the message.

40. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the device is configured to transmit the estimated parameters nibble by nibble.

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