Phase stability of non-sinusoidal signals utilizing two differential halls

The present invention generally relates to magnetic sensors. The present invention also relates to magnetic sensors for sensing the speed and direction of a rotating target. The present invention additionally relates to differential Hall sensors. In addition, the present invention relates to sensors utilized in automotive applications, including transmission, crank/cram, and wheelspeed mechanisms thereof. A method and apparatus for sensing the speed and direction of a rotating target is disclosed. A first differential Hall package can be generally located opposite to a second differential Hall package, wherein the first differential Hall package and second differential Hall package comprise mirror images of one another. A first output signal can then be generated by the first differential Hall package and a second output signal by the second differential Hall package during a rotation of the rotating target. The first Hall output signal can thus be compared to the second Hall output signal during a shift of the rotating target from a sinusoidal phase to a non-sinusoidal phase thereof, thereby permitting accurate phase information indicative of the speed and direction of the rotating target to be obtained.