Target pitch-independent quadrature magnetic encoder

A magnetic field sensor comprising:

• a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements configured to generate first and second magnetic field signals responsive to motion of a target;
• and
• circuitry configured to:
• generate first and second digital pulse signals responsive to the first and second magnetic field signals, respectively;
• calculate a first time between a pulse edge of the first digital pulse signal and a next pulse edge of the second digital pulse signal;
• calculate a second time between two different pulse edges of the first digital pulse signal or two different pulse edges of the second digital pulse signal;
• calculate, using the calculated first and second times, a phase shift between the first and second magnetic field signals;
• and
• generate, using the calculated phase shift, a third magnetic field signal having a predetermined phase shift from the first magnetic field signal or from the first magnetic field signal.

A method comprising:

• receiving, from a memory, a phase shift associated with a magnetic field sensor having two channels;
• receiving, by the magnetic field sensor, first and second magnetic field signals responsive to motion of a target;
• generating, using the phase shift, a third magnetic field signal having a predetermined phase shift from the first magnetic field signal or from the first magnetic field signal;
• generating digital pulse signals responsive to the first and third magnetic field signals;
• and
• providing the digital pulse signals on outputs of the magnetic field sensor.