Online testing of a signal path by means of at least two test signals
First Claim
1. An apparatus for generating a sensor signal which is suitable for online testing of a signal path from a sensor cell to an evaluation point, the sensor cell providing a sensor cell output signal as a function of a physical quantity to be detected, the apparatus comprising:
- a provider for providing at least two mutually different test signals;
a changer for changing the sensor cell output signal on the basis of the at least two mutually different test signals in accordance with a predetermined change specification to acquire the sensor signal, so that the sensor signal depends on the sensor cell output signal and the at least two test signals;
an output unit for outputting the sensor signal or a signal derived from the sensor signal onto the signal path; and
a selector for selecting one of the at least two mutually different test signals, and the changing includes a change in the sensor cell output signal on the basis of the currently selected test signal of the at least two mutually different test signals so as to switch between the at least two mutually different test signals, depending on the selection.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for online testing of a signal path from a sensor cell to an evaluation point, including providing at least two mutually different test signals, changing the sensor cell output signal on the basis of the at least two mutually different test signals in accordance with a predetermined change specification to obtain the sensor signal, so that the sensor signal depends on the sensor cell output signal and the at least two test signals, outputting the sensor signal or a signal derived from the sensor signal onto the signal path, processing the sensor signal or the signal derived from the sensor signal while taking into account the predetermined change specification to obtain a processed signal, and examining the processed signal with regard to the presence of the at least two mutually different test signals to provide a signal path fault indication on the basis thereof.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. An apparatus for generating a sensor signal which is suitable for online testing of a signal path from a sensor cell to an evaluation point, the sensor cell providing a sensor cell output signal as a function of a physical quantity to be detected, the apparatus comprising:
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a provider for providing at least two mutually different test signals; a changer for changing the sensor cell output signal on the basis of the at least two mutually different test signals in accordance with a predetermined change specification to acquire the sensor signal, so that the sensor signal depends on the sensor cell output signal and the at least two test signals; an output unit for outputting the sensor signal or a signal derived from the sensor signal onto the signal path; and a selector for selecting one of the at least two mutually different test signals, and the changing includes a change in the sensor cell output signal on the basis of the currently selected test signal of the at least two mutually different test signals so as to switch between the at least two mutually different test signals, depending on the selection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for generating a sensor signal which is suitable for online testing of a signal path from a sensor cell to an evaluation point, the sensor cell providing a sensor cell output signal as a function of a physical quantity to be detected, the apparatus comprising:
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a provider for simultaneously providing at least two mutually different and orthogonal test signals; a changer for changing the sensor cell output signal on the basis of the at least two mutually different and orthogonal test signals in accordance with a predetermined change specification to acquire the sensor signal, so that the sensor signal depends on the sensor cell output signal and the at least two mutually different and orthogonal test signals; and an output unit for outputting the sensor signal or a signal derived from the sensor signal onto the signal path.
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10. An apparatus for online testing a signal path from a sensor cell to an evaluation point, the sensor cell providing a sensor cell output signal as a function of a physical quantity to be detected, the sensor cell output signal being changed in accordance with a predetermined change specification on the basis of at least two mutually different test signals to form a sensor signal, the sensor signal or a signal derived from the sensor signal being transmittable via a signal path, the apparatus comprising:
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a processor for processing the sensor signal or the signal derived from the sensor signal while taking into account the predetermined change specification to acquire a processed signal; an examiner for examining the processed signal with regard to the presence of the at least two mutually different test signals to provide a signal path fault indication on the basis thereof; wherein the examiner is adapted to receive information about which of the at least two test signals is currently active, the examination comprising examining the processed signal with regard to the currently active test signal in order to switch between the test signals depending on the information received. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for online testing a signal path from a sensor cell to an evaluation point, the sensor cell providing a sensor cell output signal as a function of a physical quantity to be detected, the sensor cell output signal being changed in accordance with a predetermined change specification on the basis of at least two mutually different test signals to form a sensor signal, the sensor signal or a signal derived from the sensor signal being transmittable via a signal path, the apparatus comprising:
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a processor for processing the sensor signal or the signal derived from the sensor signal while taking into account the predetermined change specification to acquire a processed signal; an examiner for examining the processed signal with regard to the presence of the at least two mutually different test signals to provide a signal path fault indication on the basis thereof, wherein the examination of the processed signal comprises an examination with regard to a simultaneous presence of a plurality of test signals, the test signals being orthogonal to one another.
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15. An apparatus for generating a sensor signal, comprising:
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a signal changer having an input for a plurality of mutually different test signals, an input for a sensor cell output signal, the input being couplable to an output of a sensor cell, and an output for the sensor signal, the output being couplable to an evaluation point via a signal path to be tested; and a test signal selector having an input for a test signal selection signal, an input for the sensor cell output signal, an output for a test signal selection indicator signal, and an output for a selected test signal from the plurality of different test signals. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method for generating a sensor signal which is suitable for online testing of a signal path from a sensor cell to an evaluation point, the sensor cell providing a sensor cell output signal as a function of a physical quantity to be detected, the method comprising:
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providing at least two mutually different test signals; changing the sensor cell output signal on the basis of the at least two mutually different test signals in accordance with a predetermined change specification to acquire the sensor signal, so that the sensor signal depends on the sensor cell output signal and the at least two test signals; and
outputting the sensor signal or a signal derived from the sensor signal onto the signal path; andselecting one of the at least two mutually different test signals, and changing including a change in the sensor cell output signal on the basis of the currently selected test signal of the at least two mutually different test signals so as to switch between the at least two mutually different test signals, depending on the selection. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for generating a sensor signal which is suitable for online testing of a signal path from a sensor cell to an evaluation point, the sensor cell providing a sensor cell output signal as a function of a physical quantity to be detected, the method comprising:
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simultaneously providing at least two mutually different and orthogonal test signals; changing the sensor cell output signal on the basis of the at least two mutually different and orthogonal test signals in accordance with a predetermined change specification to acquire the sensor signal, so that the sensor signal depends on the sensor cell output signal and the at least two mutually different and orthogonal test signals; and outputting the sensor signal or a signal derived from the sensor signal onto the signal path.
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27. A method for online testing of a signal path from a sensor cell to an evaluation point, the sensor cell providing a sensor cell output signal as a function of a physical quantity to be detected, the sensor cell output signal being changed in accordance with a predetermined change specification on the basis of at least two mutually different test signals to form a sensor signal, the sensor signal or a signal derived from the sensor signal being transmittable via a signal path, the method comprising:
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processing the sensor signal or the signal derived from the sensor signal while taking into account the predetermined change specification to acquire a processed signal; examining the processed signal with regard to the presence of the at least two mutually different test signals to provide a signal path fault indication on the basis thereof; and receiving information about which of the at least two test signals is currently active, the examination comprising examining the processed signal with regard to the currently active test signal in order to switch between the test signals depending on the information received. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for online testing of a signal path from a sensor cell to an evaluation point, the sensor cell providing a sensor cell output signal as a function of a physical quantity to be detected, the sensor cell output signal being changed in accordance with a predetermined change specification on the basis of at least two mutually different test signals to form a sensor signal, the sensor signal or a signal derived from the sensor signal being transmittable via a signal path, the method comprising:
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processing the sensor signal or the signal derived from the sensor signal while taking into account the predetermined change specification to acquire a processed signal; examining the processed signal with regard to the presence of the at least two mutually different test signals to provide a signal path fault indication on the basis thereof, wherein the examination of the processed signal comprises an examination with regard to a simultaneous presence of a plurality of test signals, the test signals being orthogonal to one another.
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Specification