PRESSURE SENSOR WITH IMPROVED RATE-OF-CHANGE COMPATIBLE DATA OUTPUT
First Claim
1. A sensor comprising:
- a sensor circuit configured to supply an analog sensor signal that varies with at least one physical parameter to which the sensor circuit is exposed;
a clock configured to generate a timing signal;
an output circuit configured to receive a mode select signal associated with one of a plurality of signal processing modes and the sensor signal, and to supply an output signal representative of the at least one sensed parameter based on the implemented signal processing mode, the received analog sensor signal and the timing signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated sensor implementation employs a data acquisition method for producing digital output signals that enables computing low latency, low noise, rate of pressure (or altitude etc.) change measurements. An example sensor includes a self-digitizing pressure and temperature sensor circuit that outputs a serial digital signal that varies with at least one physical parameter to which the sensor circuit is exposed. The sensor incorporates an internal sigma-delta A/D converter and digital data acquisition device that effectively time-stamps all acquired data. This time stamped data is then transmitted to an external processing resource (microprocessor) that is used to convert the self-digitized, time stamped data into low latency, low-noise proportional and rate parameter outputs having the desired engineering units for at least one physical parameter sensed. This low-latency, low noise rate of change signal may be derived without the latency penalty of digital filtering.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A sensor comprising:
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a sensor circuit configured to supply an analog sensor signal that varies with at least one physical parameter to which the sensor circuit is exposed; a clock configured to generate a timing signal; an output circuit configured to receive a mode select signal associated with one of a plurality of signal processing modes and the sensor signal, and to supply an output signal representative of the at least one sensed parameter based on the implemented signal processing mode, the received analog sensor signal and the timing signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for determining rate of change of a physical parameter, the method comprising:
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supplying an analog sensor signal that varies with at least one physical parameter; generating a timing signal; receiving a mode select signal and the sensor signal; implementing one of a plurality of signal processing modes, and operable, upon receipt of the analog sensor signal; and generating an output signal representative of the at least one physical parameter based on the implemented signal processing mode, the analog sensor signal and the timing signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification