Differential top-read magnetic sensor with low cost back bias magnet

A sensor module, comprising:

• a magnet with a magnetization in a first direction;
• and
• a sensor chip including a first sensing element and a second sensing element arranged on a plane defined by the sensor chip,
• wherein the first direction is substantially parallel to the plane defined by the sensor chip,
• wherein the first sensing element and the second sensing element are sensitive to a component of a magnetic field along the first direction or are sensitive to a component of the magnetic field along a second direction that is substantially parallel to the plane defined by the sensor chip,
• wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and
• wherein at least one of the first sensing element or the second sensing element is positioned at or adjacent to an edge of the magnet along the first direction such that the first sensing element or the second sensing element protrudes past the edge of the magnet along the first direction.

A sensor system, comprising:

• a magnetic sensor including a sensor chip with a plurality of sensing elements arranged on a plane defined by the sensor chip,
• wherein each of the plurality of sensing elements is sensitive to a component of a magnetic field along a first direction or is sensitive to a component of the magnetic field along a second direction,
• wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially parallel to the plane defined by the sensor chip, and
• wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction, and
• wherein at least one of the plurality of sensing elements is to be positioned adjacent to an edge of a magnet, associated with the sensor system, along the first direction such that the at least one sensing element protrudes past the edge of the magnet along the first direction.