Current sensor built into switches

A current sensor, comprising:

• a substrate;
• a metal layer that is formed over the substrate;
• a first layer of dielectric material that is formed over the metal layer;
• a first contact member that is coupled to the metal layer, the first contact member extending through the first layer of dielectric material;
• a second contact member that is coupled to the metal layer, the second contact member extending through the first layer of dielectric material;
• a plurality of first magnetic field sensing elements that is formed over the first layer of dielectric material, the plurality of first magnetic field sensing elements being arranged to at least partially surround the first contact member, the plurality of first magnetic field sensing elements having respective axes of maximum sensitivity that are arranged in a first pattern, the plurality of first magnetic field sensing elements being arranged, at least in part, to form a sensing circuit for measuring a level of electrical current through the metal layer;
• a first terminal that is coupled to the first contact member;
• a second terminal that is coupled the second contact member;
• and
• a third terminal that is coupled to the sensing circuit, the second terminal being configured to output, at least in part, a signal that is indicative of the level of electrical current through the first contact member.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a substrate;
• a switching device that is formed over the substrate, the switching device including a gate layer, a source layer, and a drain layer, the gate layer, the source layer, and the drain layer being formed over the substrate and adjacent to each other, the source layer including a first base, the drain layer including a second base, the source layer including a plurality of first portions that extend from the first base towards the second base, the drain layer including a plurality of second portions that extend from the second base toward the first base, the plurality of first portions being interleaved with the plurality of second portions;
• a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements that is formed over the substrate, each of the magnetic field sensing elements being formed over a different one of a plurality of substrate regions, each of the plurality of substrate regions being situated between a different one of the plurality of first portions and one of the plurality of second portions that is directly adjacent to the first portion,
• wherein the plurality of magnetic field sensing elements being arranged, at least in part, to form a sensing circuit for measuring a level of electrical current through the switching device.