Sensor self-diagnostics using multiple signal paths
First Claim
1. A monolithic integrated circuit comprising:
- a first sensor device configured to indicate a physical quantity, the first sensor device having a first signal path for a first sensor signal on a semiconductor chip; and
a second sensor device configured to indicate the physical quantity, the second sensor device having a second signal path for a second sensor signal on the semiconductor chip, the second signalpath separate and distinct from the first signal path and, when compared with the first signal path, having at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of being of a lower sampling rate, higher latency time, lower bandwidth, less precise, having more noise, a smaller analog-to-digital conversion resolution, and a smaller signal range,wherein the second sensor device comprises fewer second sensing elements than the first sensor device comprises first sensing elements, the second sensor device comprises second sensing elements of a smaller second sensitive area than the first sensor device comprises first sensing elements of a first sensing area, has a different working principle, different signal encodings, different mapping of sensor signals, different compensation algorithms, and a different processing schedule, andwherein a first output signal related to the first signal path and a second output signal related to the second signal path are communicable from the monolithic integrated circuit to an external control unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
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.
59 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A monolithic integrated circuit comprising:
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a first sensor device configured to indicate a physical quantity, the first sensor device having a first signal path for a first sensor signal on a semiconductor chip; and a second sensor device configured to indicate the physical quantity, the second sensor device having a second signal path for a second sensor signal on the semiconductor chip, the second signal path separate and distinct from the first signal path and, when compared with the first signal path, having at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of being of a lower sampling rate, higher latency time, lower bandwidth, less precise, having more noise, a smaller analog-to-digital conversion resolution, and a smaller signal range, wherein the second sensor device comprises fewer second sensing elements than the first sensor device comprises first sensing elements, the second sensor device comprises second sensing elements of a smaller second sensitive area than the first sensor device comprises first sensing elements of a first sensing area, has a different working principle, different signal encodings, different mapping of sensor signals, different compensation algorithms, and a different processing schedule, and wherein a first output signal related to the first signal path and a second output signal related to the second signal path are communicable from the monolithic integrated circuit to an external control unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 24, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37)
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14. A method of monitoring a monolithic integrated circuit comprising:
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implementing, on a single semiconductor chip, a main signal path comprising a main sensor; implementing, on the single semiconductor chip, a secondary sensor and a secondary signal path, the secondary signal path separate and distinct from the main signal path and, when compared with the main signal path, having at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of being of a lower sampling rate, higher latency time, lower bandwidth, less precise, having more noise, smaller analog-to-digital conversion resolution, smaller signal range, and a different working principle, wherein the secondary sensor comprises fewer second sensing elements than the main sensor comprises first sensing elements, the secondary sensor comprises second sensing elements of a smaller second sensitive area than the main sensor comprises first sensing elements of a first sensing area, different working principle, different signal encodings, different mapping of sensor signals, different compensation algorithms, and different processing schedule; providing the signal of the main signal path as a first output signal and the signal of the secondary signal path as a second output signal; and comparing the first output signal and the second output signal. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38)
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Specification