Method for transmitting data from at least one sensor to a control device

• US 7,786,853 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2002
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Kohn, Oliver, Ulmer, Michael, Schomacker, Jochen, Ohl, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland; Donnie L
• Application Number:
  US10/491,929
• Publication Number:
  US 20050068195A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,917 Days
• Field of Search: 340/511
• US Class Current: 340/511
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01115 specific data frames
• 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: G08C 19/02 in which the signal transmitted is magnitude of current or voltage G08C19/36, G08C19/38 take precedence

Abstract

A method for transmitting data from at least one sensor to a control unit is described, a value range, which is available for encoding the data to be transmitted, being divided into three portions. The first portion is used for the sensor values. The second portion is used for status signals and error signals, and the third portion is used for sensor identification data, the three portions being separated from one another and following in succession.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting data from at least one sensor to a control unit, a line being used for each of the at least one sensor and a predefined value range being available for the data, the method comprising:

using a first portion of the value range for at least one sensor value;

using a second portion of the value range for one of at least one status signal and at least one error signal;

using a third portion of the value range for sensor identification data;

separating the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion from each other; and

causing the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion to follow each other in succession.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the line includes a two-wire line.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the value range includes 10 bits.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the value range is symmetrical.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

combining an appropriate sensor identification datum with a corresponding identification code to form a pair; and

repeatedly transmitting the pair for a predefined number of times, wherein;

the identification code ensures a data integrity of the sensor identification datum.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein:

the at least one sensor transmits at a higher data rate than a rate at which the control unit reads data.

7. A device, comprising:

a control unit;

at least one sensor;

a line; and

a receiver block that reads data from the line at a lower data rate than a rate at which a transmitter block of the at least one sensor transmits data to the line.

8. The device as recited in claim 7, wherein:

the line is usable for a power supply of the at least one sensor, and

a power supply line is provided.

9. The sensor as recited in claim 7, wherein:

the at least one sensor includes a measured value electronics and a sensor element.

10. The control unit as recited in claim 7, wherein:

the control unit includes a receiver block, a processor, and an interface chip.

11. A device, comprising:

a control unit;

at least one sensor;

a line; and

a receiver block which reads a highest data rate which is lower than a rate at which a transmitter block of the at least one sensor transmits data to the line for the receiver block.