Patent attributes
Systems and methods described herein are directed towards differential current sensing a current sensor having two or more magnetic field sensing elements that are oriented to sense a magnetic field generated by a current through an external conductor in the same direction. The current sensor can be positioned such that at least one first magnetic field sensing element is vertically aligned with the external conductor and at least one second magnetic field sensing element is not vertically aligned with the external conductor. The magnetic field sensing elements may be spaced from each to measure a gradient field and can generate a magnetic field signal indicative of a distance between the respective magnetic field sensing element and the current carrying external conductor. A difference between the magnetic field signals can be determined that is indicative of the current through the external conductor.