Magnetic field current sensors, sensor systems and methods

Abstract

Embodiments relate to coreless magnetic field current sensors, systems and methods, such as magnetoresistive sensors, systems and methods, to sense current flow in a conductor via a related magnetic field. In an embodiment, a current sensor system for sensing a current in a conductor from a magnetic field induced thereby, comprising a plurality N of magnetoresistive (MR) sensors arranged on a circle concentric to a center of the conductor and spaced apart from one another by 360 degrees/N, wherein each MR sensor has a sensitivity plane and is responsive to a projection of the magnetic field into the sensitivity plane, the sensitivity planes of the plurality of MR sensors being parallel, and wherein the plurality of MR sensors are arranged relative to the conductor such that the magnetic field has a non-vanishing component parallel to the sensitivity plane; at least one magnetic element arranged to provide a bias magnetic field on the plurality of MR sensors; and circuitry coupled to the plurality of MR sensors to determine the current in the conductor by combining signals from each of the plurality of MR sensors.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.