Method for the transmission of a sensor data signal and an additional data signal from a sensor component to at least one receiver

Acceleration sensor assembly for generating an acceleration signal in an occupant protection system,

• a) whereby a signal value range (+127 to −128) is prescribed for a data transmission, this signal value range is divided into a sensor data value range (+120 to −120) for a sensor data transmission of a sensor data signal comprising an acceleration signal (S11) from an acceleration sensor and a control signal value range (+127 to +121 as well as −121 to −128), that is distinguishable therefrom, for transmission of control signals for controlling of the data transmission,
• b) at least one activation unit of at least one occupant protection device is provided, which receives the acceleration signal (s11) and decides about the triggering of the occupant protection device(s) dependent on the acceleration signal (s11), whereby
• c) the sensor data value range (+120 to −120) of the acceleration signal (s11) comprises a safety-uncritical value range (+3 to −3) and the activation unit initiates no activation of the occupant protection device with values of the acceleration signal in this safety-uncritical value range (+3 to −3), and
• d) in response to a prescribed control signal, the acceleration sensor transmits additional data (s14) while using exclusively the safety-uncritical value range (+3 to −3).

A signal transmission method comprising the steps:

• a) with a sensor of a sensor assembly, measuring a quantity to be measured and generating a sensor data signal containing sensor data indicative of said quantity in a first value range and in a second value range;
• b) transmitting said sensor data signal via a transmission channel;
• c) receiving said sensor data signal via said transmission channel in a first receiver;
• d) with said first receiver, comparing said sensor data to a threshold, controlling an application unit in response to and dependent on said sensor data in said first value range only if said sensor data exceed said threshold, and not controlling said application unit in response to said sensor data in said second value range which is a range of said sensor data that is at or below said threshold and is uncritical for controlling said application unit;
• e) temporarily interrupting said transmitting of said sensor data signal and instead thereof transmitting, from said sensor assembly via said transmission channel, an additional data signal containing additional data in said second value range.

A motor vehicle occupant protection system, comprising:

• an acceleration sensor arrangement adapted to measure an acceleration and corresponding thereto produce acceleration data respectively an first and second value ranges;
• an additional data unit adapted to provide additional data in said second value range;
• a transmitter that is connected at least selectively to said acceleration sensor arrangement and said additional data unit, and that is adapted to selectively transmit said acceleration data or said additional data via a transmission channel;
• an occupant protection device;
• and
• an activation unit that is connected to said occupant protection device, and that includes a receiver connected via said transmission channel to said transmitter, and that is adapted to trigger an activation of said occupant protection device in response to said acceleration data in said first value range and not trigger said activation of said occupant protection device in response to said acceleration data and said additional data respectively in said second value range.