Identification address configuration circuit and method without use of dedicated address pins

A method for configuring an identification address of a sensor interface device in response to an order of connection of first and second connecting terminals to terminals of an external sensor, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a sensor signal processing circuit having first and second inputs coupled through the first and second connecting terminals to the sensor for converting a parameter sensed by the sensor to a different representation of the parameter;
• (b) forcing a first current through the first connecting terminal to produce either a high voltage or a low voltage on the first connecting terminal depending on the order of connection of the first and second connecting terminals to the terminals of the sensor;
• (c) comparing a voltage on the first connecting terminal with a reference voltage to produce a comparison signal representative of whether the voltage on the first connecting terminal is high or low;
• and
• (d) mapping the comparison signal to produce the identification address.

Circuitry for configuring an identification address of a sensor interface device in response to an order of connection of first and second connecting terminals to terminals of an external sensor, the circuitry comprising:

• (a) a sensor signal processing circuit having first and second inputs coupled through the first and second connecting terminals to the sensor for converting a parameter sensed by the sensor to a different representation of the parameter;
• (b) means for forcing a first current through the first connecting terminal to produce either a high voltage or a low voltage on the first connecting terminal depending on the order of connection of the first and second connecting terminals to the terminals of the sensor;
• (c) means for comparing a voltage on the first connecting terminal with a reference voltage to produce a comparison signal representative of whether the voltage on the first connecting terminal is high or low;
• and
• (d) means for mapping the comparison signal to produce the identification address.