Generating a virtual sensor signal from a plurality of real sensor signals

A computer system comprising:

• N real sensors for outputting N real sensor signals;
• a computer implemented combiner for combining M of the real sensor signals to generate a virtual sensor signal, where M is less than N;
• and
• a computer implemented calibration module configured to calibrate at least one of the real sensors based on the virtual sensor signal;
• wherein
• the computer system is configured to use the virtual sensor signal to calibrate a gain of one of the real sensors not used to generate the virtual sensor signal.

A computer system comprising:

• N real sensors for outputting N real sensor signals;
• a computer implemented multiplexer for selecting M of the real sensor signals from the N of real sensor signals, where M is less than N;
• and
• a computer implemented combiner for combining the M real sensor signals to generate a virtual sensor signal representing an output of one of the unselected real sensors;
• wherein
• the computer system is configured to calibrate at least one of the real sensors based on the virtual sensor signal;
• and
• the computer system is configured to calibrate a gain of the at least one of the real sensors based on the virtual sensor signal.

A computer system comprising:

• N real sensors for outputting N real sensor signals;
• a computer implemented combiner for combining M of the real sensor signals to generate a virtual sensor signal, where M is less than N;
• and
• a computer implemented calibration module configured to calibrate at least one of the real sensors based on the virtual sensor signal;
• wherein
• the computer system is configured to calibrate out a DC bias of the at least one of the real sensors based on the virtual sensor signal by:
• switching a polarity of a gain of each of the real sensors at a predetermined interval and over a predetermined sequence;
• and
• processing the virtual sensor signal in place of the output of a selected one of the real sensors during the interval when the gain of the selected real sensor is switching polarity.

A computer implemented method of generating a virtual sensor signal to replace a defective real sensor, the method comprising:

• using a computer to detect the defective real sensor;
• and
• using the computer to combine a plurality of real sensor signals output by a plurality of respective working real sensors to generate a virtual sensor signal representing an output of the defective real sensor;
• wherein
• the defective real sensor and the plurality of working real sensors are configured into a geometric configuration resulting in a redundancy that enables the virtual sensor signal to represent the output of the defective real sensor;
• and
• the geometric configuration comprises a plurality of surfaces of an N-hedron structure, wherein the working real sensors and the defective real sensor are mounted on at least some of the surfaces of the plurality of surfaces of the N-hedron structure.