A novel current-based approach for very low variation detection of resistive sensors in wheatstone bridge configuration

Integration of GMR sensors with different technologies

Less than thirty years after the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect was described, GMR sensors are the preferred choice in many applications demanding the measurement of low magnetic fields in small volumes. This rapid deployment from theoretical basis to market and state-of-the-art applications can be explained by the combination of excellent inherent properties with the feasibility of fabrication, allowing the real integration with many other standard technologies. In this paper, we present a review focusing on how this capability of integration has allowed the improvement of the inherent capabilities and, therefore, the range of application of GMR sensors. After briefly describing the …

Current-Based Measurement Technique for High Sensitivity Detection of Resistive Bridges With External Balancing Through Control Voltages

We present a novel approach based on differential measurements of dc currents with very high sensitivity suitable for the detection of very small variations of resistors in Wheatstone full-bridge configurations. External control voltages allow for the compensation of the bridge unbalancing avoiding the need of changing its elements so making the solution suitable for integrated sensor systems. The proposed current-based measurement technique has been implemented through three different circuits, in transimpedance configuration and without the use of any further amplification stage, employing only two active blocks that allow for a very high integration level. The main characteristics of the…

Quasi‐digital front‐ends for current measurement in integrated circuits with giant magnetoresistance technology

In this study, the authors report on two different electronic interfaces for low-power integrated circuits electric current monitoring through current-to-frequency (I-f) conversion schemes. This proposal displays the intrinsic advantages of the quasi-digital systems regarding direct interfacing and self-calibrating capabilities. In addition, as current-sensing devices, they have made use of the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) technology because of its high sensitivity and compatibility with standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor processes. Single elements and Wheatstone bridges based on spin-valves and magnetic tunnel junctions have been considered. In this sense, schematic-level si…

Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR) sensors for 0.35µm CMOS technology sub-mA current sensing

This paper reports on the design and fabrication of microelectronic structures for non-invasive indirect electric current sensing at the IC level. A 0.35 ?m CMOS ASIC has been specifically developed for this purpose. Then, a low temperature post-process, fully compatible with the CMOS technology, has been applied for depositing Giant Magnetoresistive (GMR) sensors. Preliminary experimental results for obtaining the sensitivity of the devices are presented. The detection limit is estimated to be about 5 ?A.

CMOS Capacitance-to-Time Converter-Based Interface for Differential Capacitive Sensors

This paper presents pre-layout simulation results on a CMOS implementation of a capacitance-to-time converter-based electronic interface for differential capacitive sensors. Its simple architecture, comprising only three operational amplifiers (OA) and a digital mixer (inverted XOR gate) allows, by properly setting the values of seven biasing resistors, to fit the working range anywhere from few fF to hundreds of pF, giving the output quasi-digital signals (T and PW) in the useful μs-ms range (appropriate for direct interfacing with general purposes microcontrollers). A couple of illustrative examples are provided.