Sensor circuit, vehicle and method therefor
First Claim
1. A sensor circuit, comprising:
- at least one signal processing circuit connectable to at least one sensor operable on a channel and configured to receive and process a periodic sensor signal therefrom;
a switching device coupled between the signal processing circuit and the at least one sensor;
at least one switch coupled to the switching device; and
a controller connected to the at least one switch and to an output of the signal processing circuit,wherein the controller is operable to re-configure the switching device via control of the at least one switch to perform a diode function, to control the at least one switch to couple a gate to a drain of the switching device to perform the diode function, and to determine whether a short condition exists on the at least one sensor or channel based on the output from the signal processing circuit.
15 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor circuit includes at least one signal processing circuit connectable to at least one sensor operable on a channel and configured to receive and process a periodic sensor signal therefrom the sensor circuit further includes a switching device coupled between the signal processing circuit and the at least one sensor, at least one switch coupled to the switching device and a controller connected to the at least one switch and to an output of the signal processing circuit. The controller is operable to re-configure the switching device via control of the switch and determine whether a short condition exists on the at least one sensor or channel based on the output from the signal processing circuit.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A sensor circuit, comprising:
-
at least one signal processing circuit connectable to at least one sensor operable on a channel and configured to receive and process a periodic sensor signal therefrom; a switching device coupled between the signal processing circuit and the at least one sensor; at least one switch coupled to the switching device; and a controller connected to the at least one switch and to an output of the signal processing circuit, wherein the controller is operable to re-configure the switching device via control of the at least one switch to perform a diode function, to control the at least one switch to couple a gate to a drain of the switching device to perform the diode function, and to determine whether a short condition exists on the at least one sensor or channel based on the output from the signal processing circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
4. A sensor circuit, comprising:
-
at least one signal processing circuit connectable to at least one sensor operable on a channel and configured to receive and process a periodic sensor signal therefrom; a switching device coupled between the signal processing circuit and the at least one sensor; at least one switch coupled to the switching device; and a controller connected to the at least one switch and to an output of the signal processing circuit, wherein the controller is operable to re-configure the switching device via control of the at least one switch and to determine whether a short condition exists on the at least one sensor or channel based on the output from the signal processing circuit, and wherein the controller is operable to re-configure at least one further switching device via control of at least one further switch and determine whether the short condition exists between the at least one first sensor or first channel coupled to the switching device and at least one second sensor or second channel coupled to the at least one further switching device based on outputs from signal processing circuits coupled to both sensors.
-
-
5. A sensor circuit, comprising:
-
at least one signal processing circuit connectable to at least one sensor operable on a channel and configured to receive and process a periodic sensor signal therefrom; a switching device coupled between the signal processing circuit and the at least one sensor; at least one switch coupled to the switching device; and a controller connected to the at least one switch and to an output of the signal processing circuit, wherein the controller is operable to re-configure the switching device via control of the at least one switch and to determine whether a short condition exists on the at least one sensor or channel based on the output from the signal processing circuit, and wherein the at least one signal processing circuit comprises at least one of; a current amplifier operably coupled to the at least one sensor via the switching device; and a comparator whose output is coupled to the controller and outputs a signal dependent upon an operation of the at least one sensor, wherein the controller determines whether the short condition exists on the at least one sensor or channel based on the output from the current amplifier or comparator. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
-
-
8. A sensor circuit, comprising:
-
at least one signal processing circuit connectable to at least one sensor operable on a channel and configured to receive and process a periodic sensor signal therefrom; a switching device coupled between the signal processing circuit and the at least one sensor, at least one switch coupled to the switching device; and a controller connected to the at least one switch and to an output of the signal processing circuit, wherein the controller is operable to re-configure the switching device via control of the at least one switch to perform a diode function and to determine whether a short condition exists on the at least one sensor or channel based on the output from the signal processing circuit, and wherein the controller is arranged to compensate for the effect of a diode threshold voltage when re-configuring the switching device.
-
Specification