Method and device for bi-directional half duplex transmission of data

A system for bi-directional transmission of data signals on a communication path, comprising:

• at least two communication participants on the communication path, each of the two communication participants being temporarily assigned one of a function of a transmitter for transmission of the data signals and a function of a receiver, each of the two communication participants including at least one switchable load unit, at least one first switchable current-source unit assigned to the switchable load unit, and at least one comparator unit assigned to the switchable load unit
• wherein:
• the switchable load unit of the transmitter is deenergized prior to transmission of the data signals and reenergized after transmission of the data signals;
• the switchable current-source unit of the transmitter is clocked for generating the data signals to be transmitted via the communication path;
• corresponding output signals are generated at the comparator unit of the receiver from the data signals transmitted via the communication path;
• and
• at least one second switchable current-source unit is connected in parallel to the at least one first current-source unit in each of the at least two communication participants.

A system for bi-directional transmission of data signals on a communication path, comprising:

• at least two communication participants on the communication path, each of the two communication participants being temporarily assigned one of a function of a transmitter for transmission of the data signals and a function of a receiver, each of the two communication participants including at least one switchable load unit, at least one first switchable current-source unit assigned to the switchable load unit, and at least one comparator unit assigned to the switchable load unit;
• and
• at least one diagnosis-comparator unit assigned to the communication path for a diagnosis of short-circuit of the communication path to ground;
• wherein:
• the switchable load unit of the transmitter is deenergized prior to transmission of the data signals and reenergized after transmission of the data signals;
• the switchable current-source unit of the transmitter is clocked for generating the data signals to be transmitted via the communication path;
• and
• corresponding output signals are generated at the comparator unit of the receiver from the data signals transmitted via the communication path.

A method of operating a radar sensor interface unit of a radar system, the interface unit facilitating bi-directional transmission of data signals between at least two communication participants on a communication path, the communication participants each having at least one switchable load unit, at least one first switchable current-source unit assigned to the switchable load unit, and at least one comparator unit assigned to the load unit, the method comprising:

• temporarily assigning each of the at least two communication participants one of a function of a transmitter for transmission of the data signals and a function of a receiver, wherein:
• the switchable load unit of the transmitter is deenergized prior to transmission of the data signals;
• the switchable current-source unit of the transmitter is clocked for generating the data signals to be transmitted via the communication path;
• the generated data signals are transmitted via the communication path, so that corresponding output signals are produced at the comparator unit assigned to the receiver from the data signals transmitted via the communication path;
• the switchable load unit of the transmitter is reenergized after transmission of the data signals;
• and
• at least one second switchable current-source unit is connected in parallel to the at least one first current-source unit in each of the at least two communication participants.

A radar sensor interface unit of a radar system, the interface unit facilitating bi-directional transmission of data signals on a communication path, comprising:

• at least two communication participants on the communication path, each of the two communication participants being temporarily assigned one of a function of a transmitter for transmission of the data signals and a function of a receiver, each of the two communication participants including at least one switchable load unit, at least one first switchable current-source unit assigned to the switchable load unit, and at least one comparator unit assigned to the switchable load unit;
• wherein:
• the switchable load unit of the transmitter is deenergized prior to transmission of the data signals and reenergized after transmission of the data signals;
• the switchable current-source unit of the transmitter is clocked for generating the data signals to be transmitted via the communication path;
• corresponding output signals are generated at the comparator unit of the receiver from the data signals transmitted via the communication path;
• and
• at least one second switchable current-source unit is connected in parallel to the at least one first current-source unit in each of the at least two communication participants.