Circuit arrangement for the evaluating a binary signal defined by current threshold values
AssigneeITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
InventorsMichael Zydek, Wolfgang Fey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A circuit arrangement for evaluating a binary signal defined by two current thresholds, particularly the output signal of an active sensor [(1′)], comprises a current source [(IQ′_,IQ11,IQ12,IQ13)] that can consist of individual current sources and is connected in series to the signal source, namely the sensor [(1′)]. The current source is inserted between the battery terminal [(IGW)] and the sensor terminal [(A1)] and serves simultaneously as a current limiter in case of a short circuit between the sensor terminal [(A1)] and ground [(GND)].
Claims5
A circuit for evaluating a sensor signal from a sensor, the circuit setting a lower and an upper level for the sensor signal, the circuit comprising:
- a signal source that acts as the sensor, the signal source including a first current source,
- the first current source setting an upper current threshold and a lower current threshold,
- the second current source being coupled to said first current source and generating a nominal current, the nominal current falling in between the upper and lower current threshold levels, wherein a voltage across the second current source indicates a signal state of the signal source, the second current source including at least two individual current sources coupled together;
- and
- at least two amplifier circuits connected to said at least two individual current sources in said second current source, each individual current source having an associated amplifier circuit, wherein output signals in the amplifier circuits indicate whether the nominal current from the first current source from the sensor falls below the lower current threshold level or extends above the nominal current, and wherein said first and second current sources and said amplifier circuits operate together as a current limiter and an overload detector in case of a short circuit or shunt to ground.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.