Data transmission system

• US 6,070,114 A
• Filed: 09/30/1997
• Issued: 05/30/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Temic Telefunken Microelectronic GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Telefunken Temic Microelectronic GmbH
• Inventors: Muller, Norbert, Wagner, Gerhard, Fendt, Gunter, Hora, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US08/941,363
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 701/45, 701/48, 307/10.1, 395/200.81
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01075 between the airbag control unit and pyrotechnic fuses or equivalent actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01 Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents electrical circuits for transmission of signals between steering wheel and the vehicle itself B60R16/027; for electrically actuating belt retractor locking means B60R22/343
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 26/005 with substations connected in series, e.g. cascade
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5416 by adding signals to the wave form of the power source
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/547 via DC power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5495 having measurements and testing channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/548 the power on the line being DC arrangements for feeding power H04L12/10; extracting feeding power from signals H04L25/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40045 Details regarding the feeding of energy to the node from the bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/40273 the transportation system being a vehicle

Abstract

In the case of a data transmission system for the exchange of digital data between a central processor unit and several peripheral control modules which are connected to the former by a bus system such that communication is enabled and which are provided for the purpose of activating one each, respectively, out of several safety devices such as airbags or belt tensioning systems, or similar devices, in a motor vehicle, and wherein these peripheral control modules are each provided with one buffer capacitor whose energy content is sufficient for operating the respective module, and the device driven by this module, within specifications over a limited period of time, the bus system is designed as a single wire system for the purpose of achieving a simple setup and reducing installation and fitting costs. In this single wire system the control modules are supplied with electrical operating energy, and digital data are transmintted, by the same line sections. In the data communications mode of the central processor unit and the control modules, the energy supply of the modules is effected by their buffer capacitors. The transmission of the digital data from the central processor unit to the control modules as well as the passing on of such data is effected by modulating a direct voltage whose maximum level U_S is significantly lower than the maximum voltage level U_B up to which the buffer capacitors can be recharged. The recharging of the buffer capacitors is effected in charge mode periods nested in between transmission operation phases of the central processor unit and the peripheral control modules.

Claims

1. A data transmission system for the exchange of digital data between a central processor unit and several peripheral control modules which are connected to the central processor unit by a bus system such that communication is enabled and which are provided for the purpose of one of activating a respective one of several safety devices and driving actuating elements within motor vehicle control systems and the peripheral control modules are each fitted with a respective buffer capacitor whose energy content is sufficient for operating the respective peripheral control module, and the device or element driven by the respective peripheral control module, within specifications over a limited period of time, wherein:

(a) the bus system is a single wire system in which the peripheral control modules are supplied with electrical operating energy, and in which the digital data are transmitted, by common line sections of the single wire system,

(b) at least in a transmission mode of the central processor unit and in a correlated data pass mode of the peripheral control modules, the energy supply of the peripheral control modules is effected by their respective buffer capacitors, and furthermore

(c) the transmission of the digital data from the central processor unit to the peripheral control modules as well as the passing on of such data is effected by modulating a direct voltage whose maximum level (U_S) is significantly lower than the maximum voltage level (U_B) up to which the buffer capacitors can be recharged, and

(d) such recharging of the buffer capacitors is effected in charge mode periods nested in between transmission operation phases of the central processor unit and the peripheral control modules.

2. Data transmission system according to claim 1 wherein the transmission of data signals from the peripheral control modules to the central processor unit is effected by modulating a total load current.

3. Data transmission system according to claim 2 wherein the transmission of data signals from the peripheral control modules to the central processor unit is effected by modulating a direct voltage whose maximum level is lower than the level of the direct voltage supply.

4. Data transmission system according to claim 3 wherein, in the transmission mode of one of the peripheral control modules, a transmission stage located at a reception end of one of a receiving different peripheral control module and the central processor unit is switched into a high ohmic state.

5. Data transmission system according to claim 2 wherein, in the transmission mode of one of the peripheral control modules, a transmission stage located at a reception end of one of a receiving different peripheral control module and the central processor unit is switched into a high ohmic state.

6. Data transmission system according to claim 5 wherein a charge control device is provided which effects a charging of the buffer capacitors for the peripheral control modules in an ordered sequence.

7. Data transmission system according to claim 6 wherein there is a provision, in each peripheral control module, for a low ohmic charge current path as well as for a parallel higher ohmic charge current path, such that by these paths the buffer capacitor of each respective adjacent peripheral control module in the transmission system can be charged up, with both charge current paths that extend to the respective adjacent peripheral control module being at first inhibited during an initial charging phase of the respective buffer capacitor of a particular peripheral control module;

and subsequently, after the buffer capacitor of the particular controlling module has been charged up to reach a first minimum value of stored electrical energy, the higher ohmic extending charge current path of the particular peripheral control module becomes conductive first, and after the buffer capacitor of the adjacent peripheral control module, to which charging current is now applied via this higher ohmic charge current path, has taken up a minimum level of the total energy that it can store, the low ohmic charge current path of the particular peripheral control module will be released.

8. Data transmission system according to claim 7 wherein the higher ohmic charge current path is enabled by switching over an electronic charge stage that becomes conductive only if a signal is applied at a first control input of this charge stage, which indicates that an output voltage U_C of the respective buffer capacitor has reached a minimum value, and if an output signal of a current sensor is applied at a second control input of the charge stage, which output signal indicates that a minimum charge current flows via the low ohmic charge current path of the respective one of peripheral charging module and the central processor unit.

9. Data transmission system according to claim 8 wherein the signal fed to the first control input of the charge stage of the higher ohmic charge current path is a comparator output signal which switches over to a defined signal level as soon as a characteristic minimum charge voltage has been reached on the buffer capacitor.

10. Data transmission system according to claim 9 wherein the signal fed to the second control input of the charge stage for the higher ohmic charge current path is the voltage signal applied to the center tap of a resistance voltage divider, which signal is a measure for the output voltage of the supply current source.

11. Data transmission system according to claim 10 wherein the low ohmic charge current path leads via an electronic switch, inhibited in its non-driven state, which changes into its conductive state by an output signal of a comparator indicating that the voltage on the buffer capacitor, in the charging mode via the higher ohmic charge current path, has reached a minimum value.

12. Data transmission system according to claim 11 wherein the electronic switch of the low ohmic charge current path is a self-inhibiting field effect transistor.

13. Data transmission system according to claim 12 wherein the voltage threshold at which the electronic switch of the low ohmic charge current path changes into its conductive state corresponds to half the value of the voltage U_C at which the high ohmic charge current path changes into its conductive state.

14. Data transmission system according to claim 13 wherein the data and supply output of the central processor unit can be locked against the energy supply source by an electronic switch which is conductive in its non-driven state and inhibited in its driven functional state assigned to the transmission operation for the control modules.

15. Data transmission system according to claim 14 wherein the maximum signal level during transmission operation is between 60% and 85% of the supply voltage level U_B.

16. Data transmission system according to claim 15 wherein the maximum signal level during transmission operation is around 80% of the supply voltage level U_B.