Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080202237 | Sensor And Method For Sensing The Linear Acceleration And An Angular Velocity - A sensor has a suspended mechanical resonator being responsive to one of a linear acceleration and an angular velocity of the sensor such that a first area and a second area are subjected to opposite elongation movements and responsive to the other such that the first area and the second area are subjected to a common elongation movement, a first mechanical-electrical interface interacting with the first area, a second mechanical-electrical interface interacting with the second area, a common mode signal generator coupled to the mechanical-electrical interfaces with a common mode signal output, a differential mode signal generator coupled to the mechanical-electrical interfaces with a differential mode signal output, a first processing circuit coupled to the differential mode output, with an output for a first processed signal, and a second processing circuit coupled to the common mode output with an output for a second processed signal. | 08-28-2008 |
20080297235 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN OUTPUT VOLTAGE AND VOLTAGE CONTROLLER - A voltage controller for controlling an output voltage to a predetermined value. The voltage controller has a first terminal configured to connect a supply voltage, a second terminal configured to output the output voltage, a control voltage generating unit configured to provide a control voltage, and a control transistor. The control transistor is connected as a series controller between the first terminal and the second terminal. The control voltage can be applied to the control terminal of the control transistor, wherein the output voltage is controlled in a manner dependent on the supply voltage and the control voltage. Furthermore, an offset voltage is superposed on the control voltage. | 12-04-2008 |
20090001965 | Magnetic-Field Sensor and Method of Calibrating a Magnetic-Field Sensor - An embodiment of a magnetic-field sensor has a plurality of sensor elements connected to form measurement arrangements, each measurement arrangement having a measurement tap, and a control circuit formed to perform an embodiment of a method of calibrating the magnetic-field sensor. | 01-01-2009 |
20090001982 | Method and Apparatus for Defined Magnetizing of Permanently Magnetizable Elements and Magnetoresistive Sensor Structures - A method of magnetizing a permanently magnetizable element associated with a magnetic field sensor structure includes generating a test magnetic field penetrating the magnetic field sensor structure and the permanently magnetizable element, detecting the magnetic field and providing a test signal based on a magnetic field through the magnetic field sensor structure, aligning the test magnetic field and the magnetic field sensor structure with the permanently magnetizable element to each other, until the test signal reaches a set value corresponding to a predetermined magnetized field distribution with respect to the magnetic field sensor structure, and generating a magnetizing field for permanently magnetizing the element to be permanently magnetized, wherein the magnetizing field corresponds to the predetermined magnetic field distribution within a tolerance range. | 01-01-2009 |
20090066550 | SIGMA-DELTA MODULATOR FOR OPERATING SENSORS - A sigma-delta modulator can be used for actuating a sensor element. The sigma delta modulator includes: a forward branch to which an input signal is fed at an input and which includes a loop filter, a quantizer and an output for providing an output signal. A feedback branch is configured to feed back the output signal of the forward branch at least temporarily to the input of the forward branch. A signal source is configured to generate a readout signal which corresponds to the voltage profile at the sensor element during a measuring process. A control unit is configured to generate a control signal dependent on which either the output signal of the forward branch or the readout signal of the signal source is fed back to the input of the forward branch. | 03-12-2009 |
20090069969 | TIRE SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD - A tire sensor system includes a first sensor and a second sensor spaced apart from the first sensor. The first and second sensors are mounted to a tire. A processor receives input signals from the first and second sensors, and is programmed to determine the length of a contact patch of the tire in response to the input signals. | 03-12-2009 |
20090071237 | CAPACITIVE MEASUREMENT OF TIRE DEFORMATION - The invention relates to systems and methods for detecting and monitoring tire deformation. In one embodiment, a tire deformation detection system comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, circuitry, and a central control unit. The first electrode is coupled to an interior surface of a tire. The second electrode is coupled to an interior surface of the tire and configured with the first electrode to form a first capacitor. The circuitry is configured to measure a first capacitance of the first capacitor. The central control unit is configured to detect a deformation of the tire based at least in part on the first capacitance. | 03-19-2009 |
20090072958 | INTELLIGENT TIRE SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The invention is related to intelligent tire systems and methods. In one embodiment, an intelligent tire system (ITS) comprises a first sensor device, a second sensor device, a central control unit, and a transceiver. The first sensor device is mounted in a tire of a vehicle and comprises a radio frequency (RF) transmitter. The second sensor device is mounted in the tire and comprises an RF transceiver, the second sensor device adapted to receive a transmitter transmission from the first sensor device comprising first sensor data. The central control unit is mounted in the vehicle. The transceiver is mounted in the vehicle and is adapted to receive a transceiver transmission from the second sensor device comprising first sensor data and second sensor data and to transmit the transceiver transmission to the central control unit. | 03-19-2009 |
20090078347 | TIRE TREAD DETECTION AND MEASUREMENT OF PHYSICAL VARIABLES OF A TIRE ON A MOVING VEHICLE - A tire tread sensing system includes a magnetic field sensor and a magnetic field source configured to magnetize magnetizable particles embedded in a tire tread. The magnetic field sensor is configured to measure a magnetic field strength associated with the magnetic field source and the magnetizable particles, and the magnetic field strength is indicative of a tire tread depth. Alternatively, the particles comprise alternating permanent magnets embedded in a tread portion of a tire. | 03-26-2009 |
20090080703 | OPTICAL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING TIRE CHARACTERISTICS - The invention is related to systems and methods for optically measuring conditions and characteristics related to vehicle tires. In one embodiment, a tire monitoring system comprises a grid, a camera, and a processor. The grid can be configured to deform in conjunction with a deformation of the tire. The camera can be mounted optically proximate the grid and configured to acquire an image of the grid. The processor can be in communication with the camera and configured detect the deformation of the tire from the image. | 03-26-2009 |
20090160461 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR AND MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A system includes a capacitive sensor including a first electrode and a second electrode. The system includes a measurement system configured to sense a capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode and apply a first offset to the sensed capacitance to provide an offset compensated capacitance. | 06-25-2009 |
20090190283 | PREDICTIVE PHASE LOCKED LOOP SYSTEM - A phase locked loop (PLL) circuit includes a first signal detector having a first input terminal configured to receive a varying first input signal, a second input terminal configured to receive a feedback signal that corresponds to the center of the input frequency, and an output terminal configured to provide an output signal corresponding to a phase difference between the first input and feedback signals. A delay estimator has an input terminal configured to receive the output signal from the first phase detector and in response thereto, output a phase difference estimation signal. A variable delay circuit has an input terminal configured to receive the phase difference estimation signal and in response thereto, phase shift the second input signal. | 07-30-2009 |
20090243633 | Capacitance Sensor - A capacitance sensor, having at least one electrode is disclosed. A frequency spread signal generation circuit is coupled to the at least one electrode to apply a frequency spread signal based on a spread sequence. A periodic signal with a frequency is coupled to the at least one electrode. A frequency controller is coupled to the frequency spread signal generation circuit to vary the frequency of the periodic signal. A receiver circuit is coupled to the at least one or a further electrode to receive a version of the frequency spread signal which depends on a capacitance applied to the at least one electrode. An evaluation circuit is coupled to the receiver circuit to determine a capacitance value based on the received, dependent version of the frequency spread signal. | 10-01-2009 |
20090273341 | SYSTEM INCLUDING SIGNAL OFFSET ESTIMATION - A system includes a first circuit configured to convert a first analog signal to a first digital signal. The system includes a second circuit configured to determine an area of the first digital signal above a set value and an area of the first digital signal below the set value to provide a second digital signal indicating an offset of the first analog signal. | 11-05-2009 |
20090290053 | PREDICTIVE SENSOR READOUT - A predictive sensor readout is suitable for coupling to a sensor. The predictive sensor readout includes a sampling circuit, a predictor, and a preset circuit. The sampling circuit is configured to receive and over-sample previously digitized samples of signals previously input from the sensor. The predictor is coupled to the sampling circuit and is configured to receive the over-sampled digitized samples into a signal history and to generate a predicted input from the sensor based on the signal history. The preset circuit is coupled to the predictor and the sampling circuit and is configured to present the sampling circuit to receive the predicted input from the sensor prior to sampling an actual input from the sensor. | 11-26-2009 |
20090309621 | IDDQ TESTING - Embodiments of the invention relate to device-embedded IDDQ testing in the field to detect defects, aging, and other reliability reducing problems. Methods of testing integrated circuits and integrated circuit devices are disclosed. For example, an integrated circuit device can comprise an integrated circuit, a buffer capacitor coupled to the integrated circuit; and IDDQ test circuitry coupled to the buffer capacitor and configured to suspend normal operation of the integrated circuit and measure a discharge time of the buffer capacitor, wherein the discharge time is related to a leakage current of the integrated circuit. | 12-17-2009 |
20090326859 | PREDICTIVE ANGULAR SENSOR READOUT - A sensor readout includes a selector circuit, a predictor circuit, and a select controller. The selector circuit receives a plurality of actual sensor inputs. Each actual sensor input is provided to the selector circuit along a corresponding channel. The selector circuit also passes a selected sensor input. The predictor circuit receives the selected sensor input into a signal history and generates predicted sensor inputs. The select controller receives the predicted sensor inputs, determines which of the predicted sensor inputs is most changed from the actual sensor inputs as the most changed input, and directs the selector circuit to pass a next signal on a the channel having the most changed input. | 12-31-2009 |
20090326860 | ROTATION SENSING METHOD AND SYSTEM - A sensing system and method. A coded wheel is configured to generate a signal that varies with rotation of the coded wheel. A sensor is configured to sense the varying signal and output a corresponding signal. A correction module is configured to receive the signal output by the sensor and compare the received signal to a stored signal and detect a defect in the coded wheel in response to the comparison. | 12-31-2009 |
20100002821 | CLOCK DETERMINATION FOR A SENSOR - A method for determining a clock for a sensor signal which has a synchronization signal, which method involves a control unit measuring the period between a first edge and a second edge of the synchronization signal, wherein both edges are either rising or falling, and the control unit taking the period as a basis for determining a clock for sampling data in the sensor signal. | 01-07-2010 |
20100024538 | TIRE FOOTPRINT DETERMINATION APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - In one embodiment, a method comprises sampling a sensor during rotation, determining a percentage of samples within a target range, and calculating a circumferential portion of the rotation associated with the percentage of samples. In other embodiments, additional systems and methods and disclosed. | 02-04-2010 |
20100050731 | ANGLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - An angular position measurement system including a continuous angular position sensor configured to provide a first signal representative of a continuous angular position of a rotating shaft, an incremental angular position sensor configured to provide a second signal representative of incremental angular positions of the rotating shaft, and a controller configured to calibrate the first signal based on the second signal to provide a third signal representative of a calibrated continuous angular position of the rotating shaft. | 03-04-2010 |
20100054305 | SYSTEM INCLUDING CAPACITIVELY COUPLED ELECTRODES AND CIRCUITS IN A NETWORK - A system including a first electrode, a second electrode, a first circuit and a second circuit. The second electrode is capacitively coupled to the first electrode. The first circuit is configured to receive data via a network and transmit a signal via the first electrode based on the data. The second circuit is configured to receive data via the network and receive a current that corresponds to the signal via the second electrode based on the data. | 03-04-2010 |
20100060263 | OFF-CENTER ANGLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - An angle measurement system including a magnet coupled to a rotating member and adapted to provide a magnetic field which rotates with the rotating member about a rotational axis of the rotating member, and an integrated circuit angle sensor disposed within the magnetic field at a radially off-center position from the rotational axis. The integrated circuit angle sensor includes first and second bridges of magneto resistive elements configured to respectively provide first and second signals representative of substantially orthogonal first and second directional components of the magnetic field and together representative of an angular position of the rotating member, and a set of adjustment parameters for adjusting attributes of the first and second signals having values selected to minimize errors in the first and second signals. | 03-11-2010 |
20100060471 | CAPACITIVE DETECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The invention is related to capacitive detection systems and methods. In one embodiment, a capacitive detection system comprises a first transmitter electrode and a first receiver electrode disposed in a first seat and configured to form a first capacitor, and a second transmitter electrode disposed in a second seat and configured with the first receiver electrode to form a second capacitor. | 03-11-2010 |
20100072988 | SYSTEM THAT OBTAINS A SWITCHING POINT WITH THE ENCODER IN A STATIC POSITION - A system including an encoder, multiple sensing elements and control logic. The encoder has a pole pitch and is configured to rotate in a direction of rotation. The multiple sensing elements are situated along the direction of rotation and span at least half the length of the pole pitch. The control logic is configured to receive signals from the multiple sensing elements based on the encoder in a static position and obtain a switching point based on the signals. | 03-25-2010 |
20100079269 | CAPACITIVE DETECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The invention is related to capacitive sensing and detection systems and methods. In one embodiment, a capacitive sensor system comprises a first electrode arrangement having a first characteristic and related to a first capacitance, a second electrode arrangement having a second characteristic different from the first characteristic and related to a second capacitance, and a control unit coupled to the first and second electrode arrangements and configured to identify an object-dependent variable from at least one of the first and second characteristics and first and second capacitances. | 04-01-2010 |
20100079283 | CAPACITIVE DETECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The invention is related to capacitive sensing and detection systems and methods. In one embodiment, a capacitive sensor system comprises a first electrode and a second electrode forming a first capacitive sensor mounted to a vehicle and configured to create a first electric field directed outward from the vehicle, and a control unit coupled to the first and second electrodes and configured to measure a change in the first electric field. In another embodiment, a method comprises capacitively sensing an object relative to a vehicle and communicating information related to the object. In yet another embodiment, a method comprises configuring a capacitive sensor to sense an object relative to a vehicle, and providing a path to communicate information from the capacitive sensor. | 04-01-2010 |
20100117845 | Method and Device for Sensing a Body - In an embodiment of the present invention, a method for sensing a body is disclosed. The method includes measuring an impedance of a body occupying a seat over a plurality of frequencies and comparing the measured impedance of the body with a predefined body model. The method also includes determining whether the predefined body model corresponds to the measured impedance of the body. | 05-13-2010 |
20100118447 | MAGNETIC SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD - A sensor system includes a first magnetoresisitive sensor resistor including a pinned magnetic layer having a fixed orientation in a reference magnetization direction. The first sensor resistor is configured such that its resistance changes in response to an angle defined between the reference magnetization direction and a magnetic field. A plurality of second magnetoresisitive sensor resistors are configured to provide a differential signal. Each of the second sensor resistors includes a pinned magnetic layer having a fixed orientation in the reference magnetization direction. Another sensor system includes a first magnetoresisitive sensor resistor having a length axis oriented by 90°+an angle Φ, where Φ<90° relative to a reference magnetization axis. A second magnetoresisitive sensor resistor has a length axis oriented by 90°−Φ relative to the reference magnetization axis. | 05-13-2010 |
20100145580 | CAPACITIVE OBJECT RECOGNITION USING ADJUSTABLE ELECTRODE - A system for capacitive object recognition including a pair of electrodes, one of the electrodes having an adjustable parameter, and a controller modeling current pathways formed by interaction of an object with an electric field between the pair electrodes as a network of capacitors. The controller is configured to set the adjustable parameter to a first setting and to apply a set of alternating current voltages to the pair electrodes and measure a resulting first set of current values at each of the electrodes, configured to set the adjustable parameter to a second setting and apply the set of alternating current voltages to the pair of electrodes and measure a resulting second set of current values at each of the electrodes, and configured to determine values for up to all capacitors of the network of capacitors based on the first and second sets of current values. | 06-10-2010 |
20100180687 | PRESSURE SENSOR INCLUDING SWITCHABLE SENSOR ELEMENTS - A semiconductor device includes a first sensor element in a first branch of a Wheatstone bridge and a second sensor element in a second branch of the Wheatstone bridge. The semiconductor device includes a first reference element in the first branch and a second reference element in the second branch. The semiconductor device includes a circuit configured to switch the first sensor element to the second branch and the second sensor element to the first branch. | 07-22-2010 |
20100192694 | PRESSURE SENSOR INCLUDING THERMAL SELFTEST - A semiconductor device includes a diaphragm, a sensing element, and a circuit. The sensing element is configured to sense deflection of the diaphragm. The circuit is configured to heat the diaphragm to induce deflection of the diaphragm. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194193 | SYSTEM WHERE THE NUMBER OF CONDUCTORS IS EQUAL TO OR ONE MORE THAN THE NUMBER OF SENSORS - A system including circuits, conductors and sensors. The circuits are configured to supply voltages. The conductors are configured to receive the supply voltages and the sensors are configured to provide data. Each of the sensors is configured to receive the supply voltages via a different set of two of the conductors and provide data via the different set of two of the conductors. The number of conductors is equal to the numbers of sensors or one more than the number of sensors. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194384 | SYSTEM INCLUDING CIRCUIT THAT DETERMINES CALIBRATION VALUES - A system including magnetic sensing elements and a circuit. The magnetic sensing elements are configured to sense a magnetic field that is generated via a current and to provide signals that correspond to the magnetic field. The circuit is configured to determine calibration values based on the signals and measure the current based on the signals. | 08-05-2010 |
20110110011 | Clock-Pulsed Safety Switch - Embodiments related to operating a high-side switch in a safety-related application are described and depicted. | 05-12-2011 |
20110146410 | PRESSURE SENSOR INCLUDING SWITCHABLE SENSOR ELEMENTS - A semiconductor device includes a first sensor element in a first branch of a Wheatstone bridge and a second sensor element in a second branch of the Wheatstone bridge. The semiconductor device includes a first reference element in the first branch and a second reference element in the second branch. The semiconductor device includes a circuit configured to switch the first sensor element to the second branch and the second sensor element to the first branch. | 06-23-2011 |
20110187350 | Magnetic-Field Sensor and Method of Calibrating a Magnetic-Field Sensor - An embodiment of a magnetic-field sensor has a plurality of sensor elements connected to form measurement arrangements, each measurement arrangement having a measurement tap, and a control circuit formed to perform an embodiment of a method of calibrating the magnetic-field sensor. | 08-04-2011 |
20110187376 | System and Method for Testing a Circuit - In one embodiment, a sensor for circuit testing has a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is configured to be coupled to a first node of a first circuit via a first capacitor, and the second terminal is configured to be coupled to a second node of the first circuit. The sensor also has at least one transmitter and at least one receiver that measures a first transmission factor between the first terminal and the second terminal. The sensor determines that the first circuit is in a first state if the first transmission factor is above a first threshold, and determines that the first circuit is in a second state if the first transmission factor is below the first threshold. | 08-04-2011 |
20110189952 | System and Method for Receiving Data Across an Isolation Barrier - In one embodiment, A system for communication has a receiver for receiving data from a passive transmitter capacitively coupled to the receiver. The receiver has a sensing element having a plurality of terminals configured to be capacitively coupled to the passive transmitter and DC isolated from the passive transmitter. | 08-04-2011 |
20110308866 | Sensor Measurement System Using Pulsed Current Signals - The disclosed invention provides a structure and method for easily measuring capacitive and/or resistive components of a sensor system. In one embodiment, the structure comprises a signal generator configured to output a load current to a measurement element containing measurement sensor elements and a parasitic capacitance. A controllable excitation voltage is generated, via integration of the load current on the parasitic capacitance, and output to the measurement sensor elements having capacitive and resistive components. The controlled voltage through the measurement device may be manipulated to cause the capacitive and resistive components to exhibit a transient effect. The resulting output current, provided from the measurement device therefore has transient response characteristics (e.g., the settling time, amplitude) that can be selectively measured by a measurement circuit to easily determine values of the capacitive and resistive measurement elements. Furthermore, dedicated demodulation techniques may be used to measure the capacitive and resistive components. | 12-22-2011 |
20110309927 | INTELLIGENT TIRE SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Embodiments relate to intelligent tire systems and methods. In an embodiment, a sensor module mounted in a tire includes a sensor configured to generate sensor data related to a condition of the tire; and a transceiver communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to communicate with another in-tire sensor module and with a control unit external to the tire. | 12-22-2011 |
20120025808 | OFF-CENTER ANGLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A method for measuring an angular position of a rotating shaft, the method including providing a magnetic field which rotates with the shaft about an axis of rotation, positioning an integrated circuit having first and second magnetic sensing bridges within the magnetic field at a radially off-center position from the axis of rotation, the first and second magnetic sensing bridges respectively providing first and second signals representative of first and second magnetic field directions, the integrated circuit having a set of adjustment parameters for modifying attributes of the first and second signals, modifying values of the set of adjustment parameters until errors in the first and second signals are substantially minimized, and determining an angular position of the shaft based on the first and second signals. | 02-02-2012 |
20120056615 | Method and Apparatus for Defined Magnetizing of Permanently Magnetizable Elements and Magnetoresistive Sensor Structures - An apparatus includes a sensor arrangement with a sensor chip. A magnetic field generator is configured to generate a secondary magnetic field opposing an external primary magnetic field at the sensor chip. The magnetic field generator protects the sensor arrangement against the external primary magnetic field. | 03-08-2012 |
20120074972 | SENSOR SELF-DIAGNOSTICS USING MULTIPLE SIGNAL PATHS - Embodiments relate to systems and methods for sensor self-diagnostics using multiple signal paths. In an embodiment, the sensors are magnetic field sensors, and the systems and/or methods are configured to meet or exceed relevant safety or other industry standards, such as SIL standards. For example, a monolithic integrated circuit sensor system implemented on a single semiconductor ship can include a first sensor device having a first signal path for a first sensor signal on a semiconductor chip; and a second sensor device having a second signal path for a second sensor signal on the semiconductor chip, the second signal path distinct from the first signal path, wherein a comparison of the first signal path signal and the second signal path signal provides a sensor system self-test. | 03-29-2012 |
20120081105 | Signal Generation For Spectral Measurements - Embodiments related to signal generation for spectral measurements are described and depicted. | 04-05-2012 |
20120226965 | Reliable Data Transmission with Reduced Bit Error Rate - A data transmission system includes at least one transmission line. A sender is configured to send data frames to the at least one transmission line and a recipient is configured to receive the data frames from the at least one transmission line. The sender and the recipient are both configured to determine a check sum based on a plurality of corresponding data frames that are sent to and, respectively, received from the at least one transmission line. A check sum comparing unit is configured to receive and to compare the check sum determined by the sender and the corresponding check sum determined by the recipient. The check sum comparing unit is also configured to signal a transmission error or initiate a safety function when the check sums compared are not equal. | 09-06-2012 |
20120235800 | Receiver and Transmitter Receiver System - A receiver for receiving messages from a transmitter includes a controller and a driver stage for providing a supply voltage to the transmitter based on a control signal. The controller is configured to provide the control signal to compensate for changes of the supply voltage caused by a modulation of the current consumption of the transmitter, such that the supply voltage remains in a predefined range. Furthermore, the controller is configured to evaluate a series of succeeding values of the control signal to derive a message generated by the transmitter by modulating its current consumption. | 09-20-2012 |
20120239256 | System and Method for Bit Error Rate Monitoring - In an embodiment, a method of determining whether to trigger an event based on data blocks having status data includes electronically receiving the data blocks over a channel, performing a data integrity check on the data blocks to determine whether a particular data block has a transmission fault, calculating a received error metric based on performing the data integrity check, and disabling an event trigger if the received error metric crosses a first error threshold. | 09-20-2012 |
20120313623 | SYSTEM THAT OBTAINS A SWITCHING POINT WITH THE ENCODER IN A STATIC POSITION - A system including an encoder, multiple sensing elements and control logic. The encoder has a pole pitch and is configured to rotate in a direction of rotation. The multiple sensing elements are situated along the direction of rotation and span at least half the length of the pole pitch. The control logic is configured to receive signals from the multiple sensing elements based on the encoder in a static position and obtain a switching point based on the signals. | 12-13-2012 |
20130033357 | SENSOR INTERFACE WITH VARIABLE CONTROL COEFFICIENTS - The present disclosure is directed towards a sensor interface module that delivers a supply voltage to a plurality of sensors, and which exchanges data signals between the plurality of sensors and a control unit (e.g., an ECU). The sensor interface often employs a single-bit comparator (or a coarse analog to digital converter (ADC), e.g., a 2-bit or 3-bit ADC) to track signals to be exchanged between the sensors and controller over the sensor interface. Compared to power hungry ADC with more bits (e.g., 32 bit ADC), the single-bit comparator/coarse ADC limits hardware complexity and power consumption. In addition, in some embodiments the sensor interface module can include an estimator and assist comparators to speed up the tracking ability of the sensor interface module. In this way, techniques provided herein facilitate reliable, low-power communication between a control unit (e.g., an ECU) and its corresponding sensors. | 02-07-2013 |
20130043908 | SENSOR INTERFACE MAKING USE OF VIRTUAL RESISTOR TECHNIQUES - Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sensor interface module. The sensor interface module includes a comparator having a first comparator input, a second comparator input, and a comparator output. A current- or voltage-control element has a control terminal coupled to the comparator output and also has an output configured to deliver a modulated current or modulated voltage signal to an output of the sensor interface module. A first feedback path couples the output of the current- or voltage-control element to the first comparator input. A summation element has a first summation input, a second summation input, and a summation output, wherein the summation output is coupled to the second comparator input. A supply voltage module provides a supply voltage signal to the first summation input. A second feedback path couples the comparator output to the second summation input. | 02-21-2013 |
20130136267 | Microphone and Method for Calibrating a Microphone - A microphone and a method for calibrating a microphone are disclosed. In one embodiment the method for calibrating a microphone comprises operating a MEMS device based on a first AC bias voltage, measuring a pull-in voltage, calculating a second AC bias voltage or a DC bias voltage, and operating the MEMS device based the second AC bias voltage or the DC bias voltage. | 05-30-2013 |
20130208915 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A PCM INTERFACE FOR A CAPACITIVE SIGNAL SOURCE - In accordance with embodiment, a method includes amplifying signal provided by a microphone to form an amplified signal. The method also includes converting the amplified signal into a frequency-based signal having a frequency dependent on an amplitude of the amplified signal. The frequency-based signal is converted into a pulse code modulated bitstream. | 08-15-2013 |
20130241537 | MAGNETIC SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD - A sensor system method of production includes forming first and second structures of the magnetoresistive system, heating the first and second structures, applying a magnetic field in a reference direction to the first and second structures, and cooling the first and second structures to fix a reference magnetization in the first and second structures in the reference direction. The structures are heated to near or above a blocking temperature, whereby the shape anisotropy of the first structure forces the reference magnetization to rotate into a first new orientation and the shape anisotropy of the second structure forces the reference magnetization to rotate into a second new orientation whereby the reference magnetization in the first and second structures rotate in opposite directions. The rotated reference magnetizations of the first and second structures are pinned in the respective new orientation. | 09-19-2013 |
20130253774 | SENSOR INTERFACE TRANSCEIVER - Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sensor interface module that selectively varies the resistance of an RLC network based upon one or more properties of exchanges data signals between one or more sensors and a controller (e.g., an ECU). The disclosed sensor interface module has a closed control loop that receives modulated sensor current signals from one or more sensors and that regulates a modulated output voltage that is provided to the one or more sensors. A protocol processor detects one or more properties of the exchanged voltage and current signals. The protocol processor provides the detected properties to an impedance controller, which selectively varies the value of an impedance element within an RLC network, located between the sensor interface module and the one or more sensor, to adjust the one or more properties in a manner that improves performance of the sensor interface module. | 09-26-2013 |
20140009162 | System and Method for Testing a Circuit - In an embodiment, a device comprises a circuit with at least one circuit element; measurement circuitry capable to test a state of the at least one circuit element during an operation of the circuit, the measurement circuitry comprising a first terminal configured to be coupled to a first node of the circuit via a first capacitor, a second terminal configured to be coupled to a second node of the circuit, wherein the measurement circuitry is configured to determine in situ an operating state of the at least one circuit element based on signals applied by the measurement circuitry to the circuit during the operation of the circuit. | 01-09-2014 |
20140028086 | CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS AND A METHOD FOR RECEIVING INFORMATION - A circuit arrangement is provided, the circuit arrangement including a receiver configured to receive signal information from a sensor circuit; a discharge circuit configured to discharge a capacitance by providing a discharge pulse; and a modulation circuit configured to modulate a bit pattern onto the discharge pulse. | 01-30-2014 |
20140062582 | SENSOR CURRENT INTERFACE TRANSCEIVER WITH ADAPTIVE LINEARIZATION - Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sensor interface module having a linearization module that increase a size of a linear region of a current output from a high-side current source. The disclosed sensor interface module has a reference voltage source configured to generate a reference signal. An output driver stage having a high-side current source and a low-side current source is connected in series at an output node of the sensor interface module. A closed control loop configured to receive the reference signal and to generate a digital control signal that drives the high-side current source. A linearization module configured to operate the low-side current source to approximate a nonlinearity of the high-side current source and to use the approximated nonlinearity to generate a compensation function that mitigates nonlinearities in the high side current source. | 03-06-2014 |
20140162552 | System and Method for Receiving Data Across an Isolation Barrier - In one embodiment, a system for communication has a receiver for receiving data from a passive transmitter capacitively coupled to the receiver. The receiver has a sensing element having a plurality of terminals configured to be capacitively coupled to the passive transmitter and DC isolated from the passive transmitter. | 06-12-2014 |
20140195104 | WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WITH SUPPORT FOR INDIRECT TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING - The present disclosure relate to an indirect tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). In some embodiments, the indirect TPMS has magnetic field sensor that detects a modulated magnetic field indicative of one or more resonance parameters of an automobile tire. The magnetic field sensor generates a modulated sensor signal based upon the modulated magnetic field. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) converts the modulated sensor signal to a digital sensor signal, which is provided to a digital signal processing unit that perform analysis of the digital sensor signal to determine the one or more resonance parameters. A communication interface transmit data corresponding to the one or more resonance parameters to an electronic control unit (ECU). | 07-10-2014 |
20140210641 | Signal Generator, Decoder, Method for Generating a Transmit Signal and Method for Determining Speed Data - A signal generator includes a signal provider and a signal processing unit. The signal provider is configured to provide a sensor signal indicating a repeatedly detected event, occurring within differing time intervals. The signal processing unit is configured to generate a transmit signal based on the sensor signal. The transmit signal includes event information representing the temporal occurrence of the event and additional information representing additional data. The event information includes pulses or signal edges associated to detected events, wherein the pulses or signal edges are temporarily separated within the transmit signal according to the differing time intervals of detected events so that each time interval of the differing time intervals includes one pulse or one signal edge associated with a detected event. Further, the additional data includes at least one frame including a predefined number of additional data bits. The information of the additional data bits of the at least one frame is distributed over at least two time intervals of the differing time intervals. | 07-31-2014 |
20140219394 | RECEIVER AND TRANSMITTER RECEIVER SYSTEM - A receiver for receiving messages from a transmitter includes a controller and a driver stage for providing a supply voltage to the transmitter based on a control signal. The controller is configured to provide the control signal to compensate for changes of the supply voltage caused by a modulation of the current consumption of the transmitter, such that the supply voltage remains in a predefined range. Furthermore, the controller is configured to evaluate a series of succeeding values of the control signal to derive a message generated by the transmitter by modulating its current consumption. | 08-07-2014 |
20140244206 | Sensor Systems and Methods Having Emulated Line Adaptation - A measurement system includes a signal bus, an electronic control unit, and an emulated sensor. The electronic control unit is coupled to the signal bus. The sensor with emulated line adaptation is also coupled to the signal bus. The emulated sensor is configured to adapt current consumption according to a selected impedance and a selected frequency range. | 08-28-2014 |
20140253071 | System and Method for a Power Supply - In accordance with an embodiment, a method of controlling a power supply node includes measuring a voltage of the power supply node, determining a first current based on the measuring, determining a first current and a second current based on the measuring, and summing the first current and the second current at the power supply node. Determining the first current includes operating a first controller having a first bandwidth, and determining the second current includes operating a second controller having a second bandwidth greater than the first bandwidth. | 09-11-2014 |
20140253106 | OFF-CENTER ANGLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A method for measuring an angular position of a rotating shaft, the method including providing a magnetic field which rotates with the shaft about an axis of rotation, positioning an integrated circuit having first and second magnetic sensing bridges within the magnetic field at a radially off-center position from the axis of rotation, the first and second magnetic sensing bridges respectively providing first and second signals representative of first and second magnetic field directions, the integrated circuit having a set of adjustment parameters for modifying attributes of the first and second signals, modifying values of the set of adjustment parameters until errors in the first and second signals are substantially minimized, and determining an angular position of the shaft based on the first and second signals. | 09-11-2014 |
20140260691 | APPARATUS FOR DETECTING A FORCE EFFECT AND A METHOD FOR DETECTING A FORCE EFFECT - An apparatus for detecting a force effect comprises two electrical conductors which run at a distance from one another, a deformable spacer which is arranged between the two electrical conductors, a first measuring device which is electrically connected to one end of the two electrical conductors in each case and an electrical component which is electrically connected to the respective other end of the two electrical conductors. The first measuring device is designed to detect a change in a variable which can be measured by the measuring device, which change is caused by a change in the distance between the two electrical conductors which is caused by a force effect at at least one place along the two electrical conductors, in order to detect the force effect. | 09-18-2014 |
20140288883 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING AN ANGLE OF A MAGNETIC POLE OF A ROTATING OBJECT - In various embodiments, a method may include: generating at least one time stamp based on detection of at least a first magnetic field event of at least one pole of a magnetic object during a first rotation; determining a model of the magnetic object based on the at least one time stamp, wherein the model describes a magnetic pattern caused by the first rotation of the magnetic object; generating at least one further time stamp based on detection of at least a second magnetic field event of the at the least one pole of the magnetic object during a second rotation; and updating the model based on the at least one further time stamp. | 09-25-2014 |
20140294131 | CLOCK DETERMINATION FOR A SENSOR - A method for determining a clock for a sensor signal which has a synchronization signal, which method involves a control unit measuring the period between a first edge and a second edge of the synchronization signal, wherein both edges are either rising or falling, and the control unit taking the period as a basis for determining a clock for sampling data in the sensor signal. | 10-02-2014 |
20140298110 | System and Method for Bit Error Rate Monitoring - In an embodiment, a method of determining whether to trigger an event based on data blocks having status data includes electronically receiving the data blocks over a channel, performing a data integrity check on the data blocks to determine whether a particular data block has a transmission fault, calculating a received error metric based on performing the data integrity check, and disabling an event trigger if the received error metric crosses a first error threshold. | 10-02-2014 |
20140320100 | CONVERTER CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR CONVERTING AN INPUT VOLTAGE TO AN OUTPUT VOLTAGE - A converter circuit is described comprising a switch circuit configured to provide an output voltage, a control circuit comprising an analogue control portion and a digital control portion and a noise generator configured to generate white noise, wherein the noise generator is configured to supply the generated white noise to the digital control portion of the control circuit and wherein the control circuit is configured to control the switch circuit based on the white noise. | 10-30-2014 |
20140339313 | Semiconductor Device and an Identification Tag - A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a battery attached to the semiconductor substrate, and a sensor attached to the semiconductor substrate. The battery is electrically connected to the sensor and configured to supply the sensor with electrical power. | 11-20-2014 |
20140340853 | Safety Device - Safety devices are provided having a power generating part and a safety-critical part. A conducting ring is provided at least around the power generating part. The ring may be connected to a reference potential such as ground. | 11-20-2014 |
20140358320 | Wheel Speed Sensor and Interface Systems and Methods - A measurement system includes a speed plus sensor and a control unit. The speed plus sensor is configured to detect a magnetic field in response to speed and resonance characteristics. The speed plus sensor is also configured to generate a sensor output signal having speed data and enhanced resonance data. The control unit is configured to receive the sensor output signal. | 12-04-2014 |
20140358377 | SENSOR INTERFACES - Some embodiments of the present disclosure relates to an automotive control unit (ACU) able to communicate with sensors using a plurality of different communication protocols. The ACU comprises a control unit that operates a sensor interface module to selectively generate a plurality of control signals corresponding to a plurality of different communication protocols, wherein respective control signals have characteristics corresponding to one of the plurality of different communication protocols. A modulation unit receives one of the control signals and generates a modulated communication signal having characteristics that correspond to a communication protocol of the one of the control signals. A communication bus provides the communication signal to a sensor network comprising one or more sensors. By operating the modulation unit to operate according to different communication protocols the ACU can be operated to communicate with multiple sensors using different communication protocols (e.g., PSI5 and DSI3 communication protocols). | 12-04-2014 |
20140372006 | INDIRECT TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING MULTIDIMENSIONAL RESONANCE FREQUENCY ANALYSIS - Embodiments relate to an indirect tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) and methods that utilize anti-lock braking system (ABS) sensed signals coupled to circuitry and/or controllers to process the sensed signals using a multidimensional resonance frequency analysis (MRFA) technique. In some embodiments, additional information from other sensed signals or stored data settings for non-tire variables and parameters can be incorporated into the MRFA. Thus, in an embodiment an indirect TPMS comprises at least one signal from an ABS, such as a wheel speed signal, and an electronic control unit (ECU) that processes the at least one signal from the ABS using at least one MRFA technique. Unlike conventional MRFA approaches that look for a single resonance frequency, the MRFA of embodiments uses a spectral analysis of tire vibrations as determined from the sensed ABS signals over different points in the spectrum that can reflect different vibration modes and different corresponding resonance frequencies. | 12-18-2014 |
20140379202 | Sensor Interface Transceiver - Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sensor interface module that selectively varies the resistance of an RLC network based upon one or more properties of exchanges data signals between one or more sensors and a controller (e.g., an ECU). The disclosed sensor interface module has a closed control loop that receives modulated sensor current signals from one or more sensors and that regulates a modulated output voltage that is provided to the one or more sensors. A protocol processor detects one or more properties of the exchanged voltage and current signals. The protocol processor provides the detected properties to an impedance controller, which selectively varies the value of an impedance element within an RLC network, located between the sensor interface module and the one or more sensor, to adjust the one or more properties in a manner that improves performance of the sensor interface module. | 12-25-2014 |
20150025850 | Sensor with Interface for Functional Safety - A sensor interface operates to communicate a sensed quantity along one or more processing pathways and in different data representations. The signal representations can be swapped along one or more locations of the signal processing branches. These branches are independent from one another and combined at an interface component for transmission along a single path or node for a control unit. | 01-22-2015 |
20150026547 | Reliable Data Transmission with Reduced Bit Error Rate - A data transmission system includes at least one transmission line. A sender is configured to send data frames to the at least one transmission line and a recipient is configured to receive the data frames from the at least one transmission line. The sender and the recipient are both configured to determine a check sum based on a plurality of corresponding data frames that are sent to and, respectively, received from the at least one transmission line. A check sum comparing unit is configured to receive and to compare the check sum determined by the sender and the corresponding check sum determined by the recipient. The check sum comparing unit is also configured to signal a transmission error or initiate a safety function when the check sums compared are not equal. | 01-22-2015 |
20150040677 | CIRCUITS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAMS TO DETECT MECHANICAL STRESS AND TO MONITOR A SYSTEM - Embodiments provide a circuit, a method, and a computer program configured to detect mechanical stress and a circuit, a method, and a computer program configured to monitor safety of a system. The detection circuit is configured to detect mechanical stress of a semiconductor circuit. The detection circuit comprises a stress monitor module configured to monitor mechanical stress of the semiconductor circuit and to provide monitor information related to a mechanical stress level of the semiconductor circuit. The detection circuit further comprises an activation signal generator configured to generate an activation signal comprising activation information related to the mechanical stress level of the semiconductor circuit if the monitor information indicates that a mechanical stress level criterion is fulfilled by the semiconductor circuit. | 02-12-2015 |
20150071369 | SENSOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS UTILIZING BAND PASS FILTER TUNING - A communication system having a configurable bandpass filter is disclosed. The system includes a bandpass filter and a bandpass controller. The bandpass filter has an adjustable center frequency. The bandpass controller is configured to identify a frequency shift in a master in or received signal and to shift the center frequency of the bandpass filter according to the identified frequency shift. | 03-12-2015 |