Method for assessing the ripple of a signal

A method for assessing a ripple of a signal associated with one of an electronic or electromechanical component of a device, comprising:

• a) determining a first signal value of the signal at a first determination point in time;
• b) determining a signal value difference between the first signal value and a second signal value of the signal determined at a second determination point in time prior to the first determination point in time;
• c) incrementing an undershoot counter if the signal value difference falls below a first difference threshold value, and incrementing an overshoot counter and resetting the undershoot counter if the signal value difference exceeds a second difference threshold value;
• and
• d) determining that no ripple overshoot is present and resetting the overshoot counter if the undershoot counter exceeds an undershoot threshold value, and determining that a ripple overshoot is present if the overshoot counter exceeds an overshoot threshold value and the undershoot counter does not exceed an undershoot threshold value.

A non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium storing a computer program having program codes which, when executed on a computer, perform a method for assessing a ripple of a signal associated with one of an electronic or electromechanical component of a device, the method comprising:

• a) determining a first signal value of the signal at a first determination point in time;
• b) determining a signal value difference between the first signal value and a second signal value of the signal determined at a second determination point in time prior to the first determination point in time;
• c) incrementing an undershoot counter if the signal value difference falls below a first difference threshold value, and incrementing an overshoot counter and resetting the undershoot counter if the signal value difference exceeds a second difference threshold value;
• and
• d) determining that no ripple overshoot is present and resetting the overshoot counter if the undershoot counter exceeds an undershoot threshold value, and determining that a ripple overshoot is present if the overshoot counter exceeds an overshoot threshold value and the undershoot counter does not exceed an undershoot threshold value;
• wherein:
• the signal is a motor vehicle electrical system voltage signal provided by one of a battery or a generator;
• the first and second signal values are voltage values of the voltage signal;
• the method is used during operation of a solenoid valve of an internal combustion engine;
• the voltage signal is applied to the solenoid valve;
• a switching point in time of the solenoid valve is determined based on a current through a valve armature of the solenoid valve;
• and
• a plausibility check is performed based on the assessment of the ripple of the voltage signal.