Method and gas sensor arrangement for determining an absolute gas concentration with a gas sensor and decomposing gas to be measured

A method for determining an absolute gas concentration, using a gas sensor arrangement comprising a gas sensor, a further gas sensor and means for decomposing a gas to be measured, the method comprising:

• acquiring a first sensor signal and determining from the first sensor signal at least one initial data point;
• decomposing the gas to be measured using the means for decomposing the gas of the gas sensor arrangement;
• acquiring a second sensor signal and determining from the second sensor signal at least one decay data point;
• and
• deriving the absolute gas concentration from a gas concentration function realized as a mathematical function by evaluating the gas concentration function at least for the at least one initial data point and the at least one decay data point,
• wherein the at least one initial data point is determined by the gas sensor,
• wherein the gas to be measured is decomposed at the further gas sensor using the means for decomposing the gas of the gas sensor arrangement,
• wherein the at least one decay data point is determined by the further gas sensor, and
• wherein the absolute gas concentration is derived from the gas concentration function by evaluating the gas concentration function at least for the at least one initial data point of the gas sensor and for at least one decay data point of the further gas sensor.

A gas sensor arrangement for determining an absolute gas concentration comprising:

• at least one gas sensor configured to generate a sensor signal indicative of a gas to be measured;
• one or more means for decomposing the gas to be measured;
• a control unit configured to operate the gas sensor and the means for decomposing the gas such that:
• a first sensor signal is acquired from the gas sensor and at least one initial data point is determined from the first sensor signal, the gas to be measured being decomposed using the means for decomposing the gas, and
• a second sensor signal is acquired from the gas sensor and at least one decay data point is determined from the second sensor signal;
• and
• a processing unit configured to determine an absolute gas concentration from a gas concentration function realized as a mathematical function by evaluating the gas concentration function at least for the at least one initial data point and the at least one decay data point,
• wherein a decomposition of the gas is monitored using the gas sensor and by determining a series of decay data points from the second sensor signal,
• wherein the gas concentration function is evaluated by fitting a decay function to a series of data points comprising the series of decay data points and the at least one initial data point, and
• wherein the decay function resembles an exponential decay or a chemical reaction rate equation.

A gas-sensor arrangement for determining an absolute gas concentration comprising:

• at least one gas sensor configured to generate a sensor signal indicative of a gas to be measured;
• one or more means for decomposing the gas to be measured;
• a control unit configured to operate the at least one gas sensor and the means for decomposing the gas such that:
• a first sensor signal is acquired from the at least one gas sensor and at least one initial data point is determined from the first sensor signal, the gas to be measured being decomposed using the means for decomposing the gas, and
• a second sensor signal is acquired from the at least one gas sensor and at least one decay data point is determined from the second sensor signal;
• and
• a processing unit configured to determine an absolute gas concentration from a gas concentration function realized as a mathematical function by evaluating the gas concentration function at least for the at least one initial data point and the at least one decay data point,
• wherein the at least one gas sensor comprises a gas sensor and a further gas sensor,
• wherein the at least one initial data point is determined by the gas sensor,
• wherein the gas to be measured is decomposed at the further gas sensor using the means for decomposing the gas of the gas sensor arrangement,
• wherein the at least one decay data point is determined by the further gas sensor, and
• wherein the absolute gas concentration is derived from the gas concentration function by evaluating the gas concentration function at least for the at least one initial data point of the gas sensor and for at least one decay data point of the further gas sensor.