Sensor signaling of absolute and incremental data

A sensor integrated circuit (IC), comprising:

• a sensing element configured to sense a parameter associated with a target;
• a processor coupled to the sensing element and configured to generate a sensed signal indicative of the parameter associated with the target;
• and
• an output module coupled to receive the sensed signal and configured to:
• transmit absolute data on a message line at a first rate;
• and
• transmit incremental data on one or more index lines at a second rate, wherein the second rate is faster than the first rate,
• wherein the incremental data comprises data associated with changes in the absolute data and wherein an edge or a pulse is used to indicate an incremental change has occurred in the absolute data and wherein the incremental data comprises an indication of an error and wherein the absolute data comprises a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal and wherein the PWM signal comprises an indication of an error and wherein the error indication by the PWM signal comprises one or more of changing the PWM signal to a high impedance signal, decreasing a frequency of the PWM signal, and setting a duty cycle of the PWM signal to a predetermined duty cycle.

A sensor integrated circuit (IC), comprising:

• a sensing element configured to sense a parameter associated with a target;
• a processor coupled to the sensing element and configured to generate a sensed signal indicative of the parameter associated with the target;
• and
• an output module coupled to receive the sensed signal and configured to:
• transmit absolute data on a message line at a first rate;
• and
• transmit incremental data on one or more index lines at a second rate, wherein the second rate is faster than the first rate,
• wherein the incremental data comprises data associated with changes in the absolute data and wherein an edge or a pulse is used to indicate an incremental change has occurred in the absolute data and wherein the incremental data comprises an indication of an error and wherein the sensed parameter associated with the target is a position of the target, the absolute data is the position of the target, and the incremental data is a change in the position of the target and wherein the incremental data comprises an indication of a direction of movement of the target and wherein a first direction is indicated by a first incremental data pulse width and a second direction is indicated by a second incremental data pulse width and wherein presence of an error comprises a change of a signal level of the incremental data.

A sensor integrated circuit (IC), comprising:

• a sensing element configured to sense a parameter associated with a target;
• a processor coupled to the sensing element and configured to generate a sensed signal indicative of the parameter associated with the target;
• and
• an output module coupled to receive the sensed signal and configured to:
• transmit absolute data on a message line at a first rate;
• and
• transmit incremental data on one or more index lines at a second rate, wherein the second rate is faster than the first rate,
• wherein the incremental data comprises data associated with changes in the absolute data and wherein an edge or a pulse is used to indicate an incremental change has occurred in the absolute data and wherein the incremental data comprises an indication of an error and wherein the sensed parameter associated with the target is a position of the target, the absolute data is the position of the target, and the incremental data is a change in the position of the target and wherein the incremental data comprises an indication of a direction of movement of the target and wherein a first direction is indicated by a first incremental data signal level and a second direction is indicated by a second incremental data signal level and wherein presence of an error comprises a pulse width of the incremental data.

A sensor integrated circuit (IC) having a power connection, comprising:

• a sensing element configured to sense a parameter associated with a target;
• a processor coupled to the sensing element and configured to generate a sensed signal indicative of the parameter associated with the target;
• and
• an output module coupled to receive the sensed signal and configured to:
• transmit absolute data on a message line at a first rate;
• and
• transmit incremental data on the power connection at a second rate, wherein the second rate is faster than the first rate,
• wherein the incremental data comprises data associated with changes in the absolute data.

A sensor integrated circuit (IC), comprising:

• a sensing element configured to sense a parameter associated with a target;
• a processor coupled to the sensing element and configured to generate a sensed signal indicative of the parameter associated with the target;
• and
• an output module coupled to receive the sensed signal and configured to:
• transmit absolute data on a message line at a first rate;
• and
• transmit incremental data on one or more index lines at a second rate, wherein the second rate is faster than the first rate,
• wherein the incremental data comprises data associated with changes in the absolute data and additional data.

A sensor integrated circuit (IC), comprising:

• a sensing element configured to sense a parameter associated with a target;
• a processor coupled to the sensing element and configured to generate a sensed signal indicative of the parameter associated with the target;
• and
• an output module coupled to receive the sensed signal and configured to:
• transmit absolute data on a message line at a first rate;
• and
• transmit incremental data on one or more index lines at a second rate, wherein the second rate is faster than the first rate,
• wherein the incremental data comprises data associated with changes in the absolute data and wherein an edge or a pulse is used to indicate an incremental change has occurred in the absolute data and wherein a resolution of the incremental change is adjustable and wherein the sensed parameter associated with the target is a position of the target, the absolute data is the position of a target, the incremental data is a change in the position of the target, and the resolution of the incremental change is dynamically varied based on a speed of movement of the target.