Planar Hall Effect Sensor with Intersecting Magnetic Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current planar Hall effect sensors face limitations in accurately measuring components of external magnetic fields due to sensitivity issues and the need for multiple sensors to cover different orientations, which can be cumbersome and less precise.
Innovation Solution
A planar Hall effect sensor design featuring elongated ferromagnetic regions with easy magnetic axes, intersecting at overlap regions, and connected by electrical leads, allowing for the measurement of perpendicular magnetic field components using a single sensor by altering magnetization between easy axes and utilizing magnetic flux concentrators for enhanced sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to cover different magnetic field orientations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling a single PHE sensor to measure magnetic field components along multiple orientations through electrical switching. The sensor can be configured to measure along different axes by switching the current and voltage measurement paths, eliminating the need for multiple physically separate sensors while maintaining measurement precision across different field orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sensor's measurement orientation changeable through electrical switching rather than being fixed. The current source and voltage measurement device can be dynamically reconfigured to measure along different easy magnetic axes, allowing the single sensor to adaptively measure magnetic field components in multiple orientations as needed.
2Device complexity
If a single sensor is used to measure multiple magnetic field components, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single PHE sensor achieves multi-functionality by measuring magnetic field components along multiple easy magnetic axes through electrical switching. The sensor maintains measurement precision for each orientation by sequentially configuring the current and voltage measurement paths, allowing one sensor to replace multiple sensors without sacrificing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action by sequentially switching between different measurement configurations. The current source and voltage measurement device alternate between different easy magnetic axes in a periodic manner, allowing the single sensor to capture multiple magnetic field components over time with the same precision that would be achieved by simultaneous measurements with multiple sensors.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor operates at high sensitivity, then measurement precision is improved, but signal-to-noise ratio worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple elongated magnetic regions into a single integrated PHE sensor structure. By combining the magnetic regions and their associated easy magnetic axes within one sensor, the device achieves high sensitivity for measuring magnetic field components along different orientations while maintaining a favorable signal-to-noise ratio through the unified structure and electrical switching mechanism.
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
Enables precise measurement of multiple components of external magnetic fields with improved sensitivity and reduced complexity, allowing a single sensor to effectively map magnetic field variations and orientations with increased signal-to-noise ratio.
Implementation Method 1
exhibiting anisotropic magnetoresistance
Implementation Method 2
When a magnetic field is applied with a component in the plane of the PHE sensor and perpendicular to the easy magnetic axis, the magnetization of the sensor rotates away from the easy magnetic axis
Data Source
AI summary
A planar Hall effect (PHE) sensor for measuring at an external magnetic field includes a plurality of elongated magnetic regions. Each magnetic region includes a ferromagnetic material that is magnetized along a longitudinal axis. The magnetic regions cross one another at an overlap region that is characterized by a plurality of easy magnetic axes. At least two pairs of electrical leads are each aligned along one of the easy magnetic axes. A current source may be connected to a first pair of the electrical leads to cause a current to flow through the overlap region along a first easy magnetic axis. A voltage measurement device may be connected to another pair of the electrical leads to measure a PHE voltage that is generated by a component of the external magnetic field that is perpendicular to the easy magnetic axis along which the overlap region is magnetized.