Conductive path for a lead-frame current sensor

A lead-frame current sensor comprising:

• an interface surface;
• a conductive path configured to receive an electrical signal comprising a signal current, the conductive path comprising:
• an input pad forming at least a first portion of the interface surface;
• an output pad forming at least a second portion of the interface surface,
• wherein a separation gap is defined between the input pad and the output pad;
• and
• a bridge portion electrically connecting the input pad to the output pad, wherein the bridge portion is removed from the interface surface,
• wherein the separation gap is tapered such that the separation gap linearly converges toward the bridge portion electrically connecting the input pad and the output pad;
• and
• an integrated circuit (IC) die positioned proximate the bridge portion of the conductive path, and separated from the bridge portion of the conductive path by an electrically insulating layer.

A method for determining a signal current associated with an electrical signal, the method comprising:

• providing a lead-frame current sensor comprising:
• an interface surface;
• a conductive path comprising:
• an input pad forming at least a first portion of the interface surface;
• an output pad forming at least a second portion of the interface surface,
• wherein a separation gap is defined between the input pad and the output pad;
• and
• a bridge portion electrically connecting the input pad to the output pad, wherein the bridge portion is removed from the interface surface,
• wherein the separation gap is tapered such that the separation gap linearly converges toward the bridge portion electrically connecting the input pad and the output pad;
• and
• an integrated circuit (IC) die positioned proximate the bridge portion of the conductive path, and separated from the bridge portion of the conductive path by an electrically insulating layer;
• receiving the electrical signal at the input pad of the conductive path, the electrical signal comprising the signal current;
• transmitting the electrical signal through the bridge portion of the conductive path;
• and
• determining the signal current based on a magnetic field generated by the electrical signal passing through the bridge portion.