Apparatus and a method for providing an error signal for a control unit

A sensor device for providing a notification signal for a control unit comprising:

• a sensor unit configured to generate a sensor signal being a periodic signal of a physical quantity;
• an internal control module configured to determine an internal malfunction of the sensor device, wherein the internal malfunction of the sensor device is unknown to the control unit at a time of detection,
• wherein the internal control module is configured to trigger a reset, restart or recalibration of the sensor device based on the detected internal malfunction,
• wherein the internal control module is configured to trigger a transmission of a notification signal to the control unit, if a reset, restart or recalibration of the sensor device is triggered internally;
• and
• an output module configured to provide the notification signal to the control unit, if triggered by the internal control module, wherein the notification signal comprises a predetermined level of a voltage or a current for a predetermined time period to inform the control unit on the internally triggered reset, restart or recalibration of the sensor device.