Hall Sensor Devices Reducing Residual Offset Error
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hall sensor devices face challenges in reducing residual offset error, particularly due to self-heating and electrical non-linearities, which increase with higher supply voltages, making it difficult to achieve low residual offset errors even at lower voltages like 0.5V.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Hall sensor device with a plurality of electrical contact regions and control terminals that selectively form channels to conduct majority carriers, allowing for the activation and deactivation of contact regions to reduce short-circuiting and enhance the homogeneity of the electrical field and current/voltage distribution, thereby reducing residual offset errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If Hall sensor devices are operated at larger supply voltages (2 to 3V), then the output signal strength is improved, but the residual offset error increases due to self-heating and electrical non-linearities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by operating the Hall sensor device in multiple clock phases (first, second, third, and fourth clock phases) where the roles of contacts are systematically changed over time. This periodic operation allows the device to function at larger supply voltages for strong output signals while reducing residual offset error through temporal averaging of the periodic measurements across different phases.
2Measurement precision
If Hall sensor devices are operated at lower supply voltage (0.5V), then the residual offset error is reduced, but the output signal strength becomes weaker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple output signals from different clock phases to achieve the desired performance. By combining the results from measurements taken in different phases (where different contacts serve as supply and sense contacts), the system achieves low residual offset error characteristic of low voltage operation while maintaining strong output signal strength through the combined measurement data.
3Measurement precision
If multiple contacts are used in spinning current mode, then the residual offset error is reduced through signal combination, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the Hall sensor device's own contacts and output signals to reduce its own residual offset error. The same contacts that provide the measurement function also serve as the means for error reduction through their systematic role changes across clock phases, eliminating the need for external complex correction circuits or additional compensation components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach increases the magnetic sensitivity and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of the Hall sensor device, providing an output signal with reduced residual offset by selectively activating and deactivating contact regions and combining signals from different operating phases.
Implementation Method 1
Hall sensor devices are semiconductor devices used to a measure magnetic field. They produce an output signal proportional to the magnetic field.
Implementation Method 2
Each control terminal is configured to control a conductance in an associated well of the second conductivity type. The circuitry is configured to selectively apply control signals to a first subset of the plurality of control terminals to form channels conducting majority carriers of the first conductivity type in the associated wells
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a Hall sensor device that includes a Hall effect region and a plurality of electrical contact regions configured to provide electrical signals to and from the Hall effect region using a plurality of control terminals is provided. Each electrical contact region is formed in a respective well that adjoins the Hall effect region, and each control terminal is configured to control a conductance in an associated well. The method includes selectively applying control signals to a first subset of the plurality of control terminals to form channels conducting majority carriers of a first conductivity type in the associated wells during a first operating phase; and selectively applying control signals to a different second subset of the plurality of control terminals to form channels conducting majority carriers of the first conductivity type in the associated wells during a second operating phase.