Restraint system interface arrangement for a seat belt tension sensor

A restraint system for the occupant of a vehicle seat, including a sensor for measuring tension in a seat belt associated with said seat, and an occupant detection module for determining whether to allow or suppress deployment of restraints for the occupant based on measured parameters including the measured seat belt tension, the system further comprising:

• first and second conductors coupling said occupant detection module to said sensor;
• sensor circuitry including a first transistor coupled between said first and second conductors, and a first controller for characterizing an output signal of the sensor relative to the determination of whether to allow of suppress deployment, and for modulating a conduction of said first transistor in accordance with such characterization;
• and
• occupant detection module circuitry including a controlled switch coupled to said first conductor, a second transistor coupled said second conductor, and a second controller for activating said controlled switch and said second transistor to couple said first and second conductors to a system voltage, for detecting a current of said second transistor, and for decoding the sensor output signal characterization based on the detected current.