Magnetic Field Sensor Angle Correction via Lookup Tables

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic field sensors face challenges in providing high angular accuracy and speed, particularly due to temperature-dependent sinusoidal errors and varying magnetic field strengths, which affect the accuracy of angle sensing in rotating applications.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a magnetic field sensor system that utilizes temperature-dependent sinusoidal error correction coefficients, interpolation modules, and correction versus rate and current spin sequence modules to adjust angle error values, thereby improving the accuracy and speed of angle sensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If temperature-dependent sinusoidal error correction is applied, then angular accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular accuracyVSAvoidcorrection module complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing correction coefficients in a lookup table during the manufacturing process. These coefficients compensate for temperature-dependent sinusoidal errors without requiring complex real-time calculations during operation. The correction module simply retrieves pre-computed values based on measured temperature and magnetic field strength, resolving the contradiction between improved angular accuracy and reduced device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If multiple correction coefficients are used for temperature and magnetic field variations, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangle sensing accuracyVSAvoidcoefficient calibration precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing temperature and magnetic field strength as additional parameters for error correction. Instead of relying solely on geometric precision, the system dynamically adjusts correction coefficients based on measured environmental parameters. This shifts the burden from manufacturing precision to parameter-based compensation, allowing standard manufacturing tolerances while achieving high measurement precision through adaptive correction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If real-time error correction is performed, then angular accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangle error correction accuracyVSAvoidcorrection processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the time-accuracy tradeoff by performing error correction calculations in advance during manufacturing. Correction coefficients for various temperature and magnetic field conditions are pre-computed and stored in lookup tables. During real-time operation, the system only needs to measure current conditions, retrieve corresponding pre-computed coefficients, and apply simple corrections, eliminating complex real-time calculations while maintaining high angular accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 significantly reduces angular errors by compensating for temperature and magnetic field variations, enhancing the precision and speed of angle sensing in dynamic environments.

Implementation Method 1

A vertical Hall element tends to be responsive to magnetic field parallel to a surface of a substrate on which the vertical Hall element is formed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall Effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3828572B1Magnetic field sensor comprising angle correction module
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS LLC
  • EP3828572B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1A
  • EP3828572B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3828572B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A magnetic field sensor can use a variety of different current spinning phase sequences, and/or can provide an angle error value to correct errors of the magnetic field sensor. An associated method is described.