Method of monitoring a magnetic sensor
AssigneeAnalog Devices International Unlimited Company
InventorsJochen Schmitt, Peter James Tonge, Monsoon Dutt, Jan Kubik, Enno Lage
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides a method of monitoring the magnetic field in which a magnetic sensor is operating in to ensure that the sensor is operating within its defined magnetic window. For example, the method uses the sensor output of either a multi-turn sensor, or some other magnetoresistive sensor that is being used in conjunction with the multi-turn sensor, for example, a magnetic single turn sensor or a second multi-turn sensor, to monitor the operating magnetic field.
Claims20
A method of monitoring a magnetic sensor system comprising a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor located in proximity to an external magnetic field and configured to detect turn count of an object based at least in part on the external magnetic field, the magnetic sensor system having an operating window between a first magnetic field strength and a second magnetic field strength, wherein the method comprises:
- measuring a signal of the second magnetic sensor located in proximity to the external magnetic field;
- determining a magnetic field strength of the external magnetic field from the measured signal;
- determining whether the magnetic field strength of the external magnetic field is within the operating window of the first magnetic sensor;
- determining, when the magnetic field strength of the external magnetic field is below the first magnetic field strength, that the first magnetic sensor operates correctly and the second magnetic sensor stops operating reliably;
- and
- determining, when the magnetic field strength of the external magnetic field is above the second magnetic field strength, that the second magnetic sensor operates correctly and the first magnetic sensor stops operating reliably.
A device for monitoring a magnetic sensor system comprising a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor located in proximity to an external magnetic field and configured to detect turn count of an object based at least in part on the external magnetic field, the magnetic sensor system having an operating window between a first magnetic field strength and a second magnetic field strength, wherein the device is configured to:
- receive a signal of the second magnetic sensor located in proximity to the external magnetic field;
- determine a magnetic field strength of the external magnetic field from the received signal;
- determine whether the magnetic field strength of the external magnetic field is within the operating window of the first magnetic sensor;
- determining, when the magnetic field strength of the external magnetic field is below the first magnetic field strength, that the first magnetic sensor operates correctly and the second magnetic sensor stops operating reliably;
- and
- determining, when the magnetic field strength of the external magnetic field is above the second magnetic field strength, that the second magnetic sensor operates correctly and the first magnetic sensor stops operating reliably.
A magnetic sensor system, comprising:
- a first magnetic sensor located in proximity to an external magnetic field and configured to detect turn count of an object based at least in part on the external magnetic field, the magnetic sensor system having an operating window between a first magnetic field strength and a second magnetic field strength;
- and
- a device configured to:
- receive a signal of a second magnetic sensor located in proximity to the external magnetic field;
- determine a magnetic field strength of the external magnetic field from the received signal;
- determine whether the magnetic field strength of the external magnetic field is within the operating window of the first magnetic sensor;
- determine, when the magnetic field strength of the external magnetic field is below the first magnetic field strength, that the first magnetic sensor operates correctly and the second magnetic sensor stops operating reliably;
- and
- determine, when the magnetic field strength of the external magnetic field is above the second magnetic field strength, that the second magnetic sensor operates correctly and the first magnetic sensor stops operating reliably.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.