Control device for particulate matter detection sensor

A control device for a particulate matter detection sensor,

• the particulate matter detection sensor including an element part formed with a pair of electrodes facing each other, the particulate matter detection sensor being configured such that a current corresponding to an amount of deposit of particulate matter on the element part flows between the electrodes, the control device comprising:
• a voltage value acquiring unit that acquires a sensor voltage value which is a value of a voltage being applied across the electrodes;
• a current value acquiring unit that acquires a sensor current value which is a value of a current flowing between the electrodes;
• a state determining unit that determines a state of the particulate matter detection sensor;
• and
• an output unit that outputs a PM current value corresponding to the amount of deposit,
• wherein states which the particulate matter detection sensor is determined to be in by the state determining unit include a sensor failure state in which the particulate matter detection sensor is malfunctioning, and a PM-deposited state in which the particulate matter is deposited on the element part, and
• the state determining unit determines whether the particulate matter detection sensor is in the sensor failure state or the PM-deposited state based on the sensor voltage value and the sensor current value.