Sensor arrangement and method of supplying power to sensors therein
First Claim
1. A method of supplying power to a sensor arrangement comprising a first sensor and at least one second sensor each having a first and a second supply terminal and which can be operated in a first and a second operating mode, the method comprising:
- connecting the first and the at least one second sensor to a voltage supply arrangement via their supply terminals in the first operating mode; and
connecting the first and the at least one second sensor in series with one another via their supply terminals in the second operating mode; and
connecting the series circuit with the first and at least one second sensor in series with a current source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One aspect of the invention relates to a method of supplying power to a sensor arrangement including a first sensor and at least one second sensor which in each case have a first and a second supply terminal, and which can be operated in a first and a second operating mode. The first and at least one second sensor can be connected via their supply terminals to a voltage supply arrangement in the first operating mode. The first and at least one second sensor can be connected in series with one another via their supply terminals in the second operating mode and the series circuit with the first and at least one second sensor is connected in series with a current source.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of supplying power to a sensor arrangement comprising a first sensor and at least one second sensor each having a first and a second supply terminal and which can be operated in a first and a second operating mode, the method comprising:
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connecting the first and the at least one second sensor to a voltage supply arrangement via their supply terminals in the first operating mode; and
connecting the first and the at least one second sensor in series with one another via their supply terminals in the second operating mode; and
connecting the series circuit with the first and at least one second sensor in series with a current source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A sensor arrangement comprising:
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a first sensor and at least one second sensor each having a first and second supply terminal;
a voltage supply arrangement having at least one voltage source;
a current source;
a switch arrangement for supplying a supply voltage from the voltage supply arrangement to the first and at least one second sensor via their supply terminals in a first operating mode of the sensor arrangement, or connecting the first and at least one second sensor in series with one another via their supply terminals in a second operating mode of the sensor arrangement and supplying a current provided by the current source to the series circuit with the first and at least one second sensor as determined by a control signal. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A semiconductor arrangement comprising:
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a first sensor with a first and a second supply terminal;
a second sensor with a first and a second supply terminal;
a voltage supply arrangement having at least one voltage source and supplying a supply voltage;
means for alternately supplying the supply voltage to the first and second sensor via their supply terminals in a first operating mode and for coupling the first and second sensors together in series via their supply terminals in a second operating mode; and
a current source providing a supplying current to the series circuit of the first and second sensors in accordance with a control signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification