Knock detection system and method for an amplifier control for a knock signal

An apparatus for providing an amplified sensor signal of a knock sensor, comprising:

• an analog amplifier to amplify the sensor signal in accordance with a first definable gain factor so as to provide an amplified sensor signal;
• an analog/digital converter to digitize the amplified sensor signal into a digitized sensor signal;
• digital amplifier to amplify the digitized sensor signal in accordance with a second definable gain factor;
• a control unit to provide the first gain factor and the second gain factor as a function of a baseline sound level of the sensor signal, wherein the baseline sound level corresponds to a component of a solid-borne sound signal generated in normal operation without knocking.

A knock detection system, comprising:

• a knock detection unit to detect a knock and to provide a baseline sound level of the sensor signal;
• and
• an apparatus for providing an amplified sensor signal of a knock sensor, including:
• an analog amplifier to amplify the sensor signal in accordance with a first definable gain factor so as to provide an amplified sensor signal;
• an analog/digital converter to digitize the amplified sensor signal into a digitized sensor signal;
• digital amplifier to amplify the digitized sensor signal in accordance with a second definable gain factor;
• a control unit to provide the first gain factor and the second gain factor as a function of a baseline sound level of the sensor signal, wherein the baseline sound level corresponds to a component of a solid-borne sound signal generated in normal operation without knocking.

A method for providing an amplified sensor signal of a knock sensor for operating a knock detection system, the method comprising:

• providing a sensor signal;
• amplifying the sensor signal in accordance with a first definable gain factor so as to provide an amplified sensor signal;
• digitizing the amplified sensor signal into a digitized sensor signal;
• amplifying the digitized sensor signal in accordance with a second definable gain factor;
• and
• providing the first gain factor and the second gain factor as a function of a baseline sound level of the sensor signal, wherein the baseline sound level corresponds to a component of a solid-borne sound signal generated in normal operation without knocking.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having a computer program, which is executable by a processor, comprising:

• a program code arrangement having program code for providing an amplified sensor signal of a knock sensor for operating a knock detection system, by performing the following:
• providing a sensor signal;
• amplifying the sensor signal in accordance with a first definable gain factor so as to provide an amplified sensor signal;
• digitizing the amplified sensor signal into a digitized sensor signal;
• amplifying the digitized sensor signal in accordance with a second definable gain factor;
• and
• providing the first gain factor and the second gain factor as a function of a baseline sound level of the sensor signal, wherein the baseline sound level corresponds to a component of a solid-borne sound signal generated in normal operation without knocking.