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US 5,017,804 AGranted
Hall sensing of bond wire current
AssigneeSiliconix Incorporated
InventorsJames A. Harnden, Lorimer K. Hill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A unique current sense means is provided in which a bonding wire or similar conductor is routed to one or more Hall effect current sensing devices which, in one embodiment, is fabricated as part of a power semiconductor device.
Claims12
A semiconductor device comprising:
- more than one Hall effect sensor;
- and
- a conductor for carrying current, said conductor being routed in close proximity to said more than one Hall effect sensors and being placed such that any offsets caused by misplacement of said conductor cancel.
An electrical circuit comprising:
- a semiconductor current switching element;
- a load device;
- a conductor connected in series with said current switching element and said load device;
- a current sensing means comprising more than one Hall effect devices placed such that any offsets caused by misplacement of said conductor cancel;
- and
- means for routing said conductor to close proximity of said current sensing means.
3 more elements
A semiconductor device comprising:
- a semiconductor substrate;
- one or more Hall effect sensors formed within said semiconductor substrate;
- a current controlling element formed in said semiconductor substrate;
- a conductor for carrying current flowing through said current controlling element, said conductor being routed in close proximity to said one or more Hall effect sensors, said conductor being placed such that any offsets caused by misplacement of said conductor cancel;
- and
- feedback means for receiving signals from said Hall effect sensors and controlling said current controlling element, thereby adjusting the current flowing through said current controlling element over a range of currents.
3 more elements
An electrical circuit comprising:
- a semiconductor current switching element;
- a load device;
- a conductor connected in series with said current switching element and said load device;
- a current sensing means comprising one or more Hall effect devices placed such that any offsets caused by misplacement of said conductor cancel;
- and
- means for routing said conductor to close proximity of said current sensing means.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.