Hi-resolution digital steering sensor fault detection

A computer readable medium storing a computer program for fault detection for a digital steering sensor, comprising:

• computer readable code for initializing a value change counter;
• computer readable code for initializing a speed cycle counter;
• computer readable code for monitoring steering wheel position information from the digital steering wheel position sensor at set time intervals;
• computer readable code for determining the steering wheel position information for the current time interval and the steering wheel position information for the previous time interval;
• computer readable code for advancing the value change counter if the steering wheel position information for the current time interval is the same as the steering wheel position information for the previous time interval;
• computer readable code for monitoring vehicle speed;
• computer readable code for advancing the speed cycle counter when the vehicle speed crosses a first threshold speed after crossing a second threshold speed;
• and
• computer readable code for setting fault bit information if the value change counter is zero after the speed cycle counter reaches a speed cycle limit.

A system for fault detection for a digital steering sensor, comprising:

• means for initializing a value change counter;
• means for initializing a speed cycle counter;
• means for monitoring steering wheel position information from the digital steering wheel position sensor at set time intervals;
• means for determining the steering wheel position information for the current time interval and the steering wheel position information for the previous time interval;
• means for advancing the value change counter if the steering wheel position information for the current time interval is different from the steering wheel position information for the previous time interval;
• means for monitoring vehicle speed;
• means for advancing the speed cycle counter when the vehicle speed crosses a first threshold speed after crossing a second threshold speed;
• and
• means for setting fault bit information if the value change counter is zero after the speed cycle counter reaches a speed cycle limit.