Receiving arrangement for a control device in a vehicle, and method for generating a synchronization pulse

• US 9,896,046 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2013
• Issued: 02/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Momeni, Massoud, Siemss, Matthias
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Dinh T
• Application Number:
  US14/654,230
• Publication Number:
  US 20150321629A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,534 Days
• Field of Search: 307 9, 327130
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/023 for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 4/94 having trapezoidal shape
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40006 Architecture of a communication node current supply arrangements H04L12/10; intermediate storage or scheduling H04L49/90
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 7/0091 Transmitter details
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 7/044 using a single bit, e.g. start stop bit
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 7/06 the synchronisation signals differing from the information signals in amplitude, polarity or frequency or length

Abstract

A receiving assemblage is provided for a control device in a vehicle, having a voltage generator for generating a synchronization pulse, which encompasses a first voltage source, a current source, and a current sink, the voltage generator generating the synchronization pulse within predefined specification limits with a predefined shape and a predefined time-related behavior, and the receiving assemblage outputting the synchronization pulse via a data bus to at least one sensor for synchronization of a subsequent signal transfer, the voltage generator generating the synchronization pulse via the current source and the current sink, substantially as a sinusoidal oscillation, by charging and/or discharging a bus load, and to a method for generating a synchronization pulse.

Claims

1. A receiving assemblage for a control device in a vehicle, comprising:

a voltage generator for generating a synchronization pulse, the voltage generator including;

a first voltage source;

a current source; and

a current sink, wherein the voltage generator is configured to generate a synchronization pulse that has a shape defined by a rise and a fall over time of a value of a voltage of the synchronization pulse; and

a data bus via which the receiving assemblage is configured to output the synchronization pulse to at least one sensor to synchronize transfer of signals from the at least one sensor to the receiving assemblage;

wherein the voltage generator is configured to;

generate the synchronization pulse by toggling between the current source charging the data bus and the current sink discharging the data bus

compare the value of the voltage at an end of the synchronization pulse with a voltage value of a supply voltage of a second voltage source of a residual receiver circuit in order to ascertain a value of a voltage difference;

apply control to the current source and to the current sink as a function of the ascertained value of the voltage difference to thereby modify the voltage at the end of the synchronization pulse to a value by which the voltage difference drops to less than a predefined threshold value.

2. The receiving assemblage as recited in claim 1, wherein the voltage generator includes at least one digital control application circuit and at least one digital/analog converter, which generate a substantially sinusoidal reference current and output the substantially sinusoidal reference current to the current source and to the current sink.

3. The receiving assemblage as recited in claim 1, wherein the current source furnishes current values that are greater than or equal to 0 mA, and the current sink furnishes current values that are less than 0 mA.

4. The receiving assemblage as recited in claim 2, wherein the at least one digital control application circuit at least one of stores and calculates the shape of the synchronization pulse and, outputs corresponding digital data words to the at least one digital/analog converter.

5. The receiving assemblage as recited in claim 2, wherein the at least one digital control application circuit obtains an indication of a quiescent current of the at least one sensor and regulates the synchronization pulse based on the obtained indication of the quiescent current of the at least one sensor and on a voltage level of the data bus.

6. The receiving assemblage as recited in claim 5, wherein a quiescent current regulator of the residual receiver circuit supplies the indication of the quiescent current.

7. The receiving assemblage as recited in claim 2, wherein the at least one digital control application circuit regulates the synchronization pule based on a quiescent current of the at least one sensor and on a synchronization pulse amplitude that is ascertained by an evaluation of a voltage on the data bus.

8. A method comprising:

generating, by toggling charging of a data bus by a current source and discharging of the data bus by a current sink, a synchronization pulse that has a shape defined by a rise and a fall over time of a value of a voltage of the synchronization pulse;

transferring the synchronization pulse from a receiver assemblage to at least one sensor to synchronize transfer of signals from the at least one sensor to the receiver assemblage via the data bus;

comparing a value of a voltage at an end of the synchronization pulse with a voltage value of a supply voltage of a voltage source, thereby ascertaining a value of a voltage difference; and

applying a control to the current source and to the current sink as a function of the ascertained value of the voltage difference to thereby modify the voltage at the end of the synchronization pulse to a value by which the voltage difference drops to less than a predefined threshold value.