Sensor system and method

A sensor system comprising:

• a first sensor for detecting a parameter;
• at least a second sensor for detecting the same parameter;
• and
• a processing subsystem responsive to both the first and second sensors and configured to:
• calibrate the first sensor while the second sensor detects the parameter;
• calibrate the second sensor while the first sensor detects the parameter;
• and
• output a reading corresponding to detection of the parameter;
• and
• output an error signal if an output of the first sensor differs from an output of the second sensor by a predetermined amount.

A sensor system comprising:

• a first oxygen sensor for detecting oxygen levels in a selected environment;
• at least a second oxygen sensor for detecting the oxygen levels;
• and
• a processing subsystem responsive to both the first and second oxygen sensors and configured to:
• calibrate the first oxygen sensor while the second oxygen sensor detects the oxygen levels;
• calibrate the second oxygen sensor while the first oxygen sensor detects the oxygen levels;
• and
• output a reading corresponding to detection of the oxygen levels;
• and
• output an error signal if oxygen levels detected by the first oxygen sensor differ from oxygen levels detected by the second oxygen sensor by a predetermined amount.

A sensor method for a system including at least first and second internally calibrated oxygen sensors, the method comprising:

• calibrating the first internally calibrated oxygen sensor at periodic intervals;
• while the first internally calibrated oxygen sensor is being calibrated, using the second internally calibrated oxygen sensor to detect oxygen levels;
• calibrating the second internally calibrated sensor at periodic intervals;
• and
• while the second internally calibrated oxygen sensor is being calibrated, using the first internally calibrated oxygen sensor to detect oxygen levels;
• and
• comparing the oxygen levels detected by the first and second internally calibrated sensors and outputting an error signal if the oxygen levels detected by the first internally calibrated sensor differ from the oxygen levels detected by the second internally calibrated sensor by a predetermined amount.

A sensing method for a system including at least first and second sensors, the method comprising:

• calibrating the first sensor at periodic intervals;
• while the first sensor is being calibrated, using the second sensor to detect a parameter;
• calibrating the second sensor at periodic intervals;
• and
• while the second sensor is being calibrated, using the first sensor to detect the parameter;
• and
• comparing outputs of the first and second sensors and outputting an error signal if the output of the first sensor differs from the output of the second sensor by a predetermined amount.

A sensing method for a system including at least first and second oxygen sensors, the method comprising:

• calibrating the first oxygen sensor at periodic intervals;
• while the first oxygen sensor is being calibrated, using the second oxygen sensor to detect oxygen levels;
• calibrating the second oxygen sensor at periodic intervals;
• and
• while the second oxygen sensor is being calibrated, using the first oxygen sensor to detect oxygen levels;
• and
• comparing the oxygen levels detected by the first and second oxygen sensors and outputting an error signal if the oxygen levels detected by the first oxygen sensor differ from the oxygen level detected by the second oxygen sensor by a predetermined amount.