Abstract: A backside contact structure is created using the following sequence of steps: etching a deep trench from the front surface of the semiconductor wafer to the buried layer to be contacted; depositing an isolation layer into the trench which covers the surfaces of the trench; performing an ion beam anisotropic etch in order to selectively etch the isolation layer at the bottom of the trench; filling the trench with a conductive material in order to create an electrical connection to the backside layer. The process can either be performed at a front-end stage of wafer processing following the formation of shallow trench isolation structures, or at a back-end stage after device transistors are formed. The backside contact structure so fabricated is used to electrically isolate circuit structures constructed on the wafer's upper surface, so that the various components of an integrated circuit can operate at different reference voltages.

Abstract: A lateral DMOS-transistor is provided that includes a MOS-diode made of a semi-conductor material of a first type of conductivity, a source-area of a second type of conductivity and a drain-area of a second type of conductivity which is separated from the MOS-diode by a drift region made of a semi-conductor material of a second type of conductivity which is at least partially covered by a dielectric gate layer which also covers the semi-conductor material of the MOS-diode. The dielectric gate-layer comprises a first region of a first thickness and a second region of a second thickness. The first region covers the semi-conductor material of the MOS-diode and the second region is arranged on the drift region. A transition takes place from the first thickness to the second thickness such that an edge area of the drift region which is oriented towards the MOS-diode is arranged below the second area of the gate layer. The invention also relates to a method for the production of these types of DMOS-transistors.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a metal-semiconductor contact in semiconductor Components is disclosed. There is a relatively high risk of contamination in the course of metal depositions in prior-art methods. In the disclosed method, the actual metal -semiconductor or Schottky contact is produced only after the application of a protective layer system, as a result of which it is possible to use any metals, particularly platinum, without the risk of contamination.

Abstract: A method for producing deep trench structures in an STI structure of a semiconductor substrate is provided, with the following successive process steps: subsequent to a full-area filling of STI recesses introduced into a semiconductor substrate with a first filler material, a first surface of a semiconductor structure is subjected to a CMP process to level the applied filler material and produce the STI structure; the leveled STI structure thus produced is structured; using the structured, leveled STI structure as a hard mask, at least one deep trench is etched in the area of this STI structure to create the deep trench structures.

Abstract: A device which guarantees reliable real-time operation of the restraint system and offers each occupant of the vehicle individually the greatest possible protection includes the fact that data processing units are provided, all having the same design and each being capable of controlling multiple restraint devices and can decide independently of other data processing units whether the restraint devices assigned to it are to be deployed.

Abstract: A method for having the control unit access the measured data of individual sensors flexibly over time, and includes providing for the control unit to transmit a request message to the sensors, and having each sensor, by comparing the request message with its own address, derive whether and in what time slot, it should transmit its measured data to the control unit.

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: In a method for detecting knocking combustion during the operation of an internal combustion engine with a device for measuring the ionic current, the raw ionic current signal or the evaluated value of the knocking intensity are normalized. This enables the value of the knocking intensity to be reliably compared with a threshold value. The normalization avoids the falsifying influence of large intensity fluctuations of the raw ionic current signal from one combustion cycle to the next without any relation to the true knocking intensity.

Abstract: A method for rollover detection for automotive vehicles with safety-related devices, such as roll bars, (side) airbags and seat-belt tensioners involves the following steps and features. An angular rate of rotation (&ohgr;x) around the vehicle longitudinal axis is provided by the signal of a gyrosensor, and an initial position angle (&agr;0) identifying the initial position of the vehicle transverse axis is determined from at least one sensor signal. An integral of the angular rate is added to the initial position angle. The absolute value of the resulting sum, which is proportional to the momentary inclination angle relative to the horizontal plane, is then compared to a trigger threshold that is a function of the angular rate and vehicle-specific parameters. A safety-related device is triggered if the absolute value of the resulting sum exceeds the trigger threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ignition unit (1) suitable for triggering an active system, such as an airbag or safety belt. The ignition unit comprises an ignition charge (7) located in a housing (2), which can be fired by means of an ignition bridge (6) positioned on a support element (5), as well as at least one contact pin (13a, 13b, 13c) which protrudes from the housing (2) and via an electronic ignition system (9) is electrically connected to the ignition bridge (6). The electronic ignition system (9) is surrounded by an envelope (10) made of a shock-absorbing material. The ignition bridge (6) is not covered by the envelope (10) so that during ignition the pressure exerted on the electronic ignition system (9) is cushioned. This prevents damage to the sensitive electronic components of the electronic ignition system (9) situated on the support element (5).

Abstract: A target classification method for radar systems wherein, in particular, jet aircraft, are classified in that the blade repetition rate and, in a further step, the number of blades, of an engine rotor wheel are determined and thus the type of engine is identified. Helicopters are classified by determining the blade repetition period of the primary or tail rotor.

Abstract: An optoelectronic component for data transmission with infrared radiation is described. This component integrates in a single housing an infrared transmitter, an infrared receiver and an integrated circuit for signal conditioning. owing to a particular design of the connecting legs, all of which emerge from the housing at one lateral face and are bent twice through 90° so that they extend in part parallel to this lateral face and in part to the rear side, and owing to additional protrusions on the housing in the form of supporting feet and a bearing shoulder, it is possible to process the IrDA transceiver module both in the top view and in the side view position in surface mounting technology. Assembly is performed with an accuracy that is typical for surface mount devices. No additional mounting aids are needed.

Abstract: A passenger protection system is triggered directly at least when a second stage is reached among at least two different stages of an accident hazard an/or accident force, determined in accordance with sensor signals. Already when a first accident hazard and/or accident force stage is reached, at least an indirect trigger command is sent to individual passenger protection systems, a specified time interval is started, and, in the event of the second accident hazard and/or accident force stage not being reached within the specified time interval, a cancel command is sent to cancel the indirect trigger command. On receipt of such an indirect trigger command the passenger protection systems also start a relevant time interval, and in the event of the cancel command not being received on expiry of the relevant time interval, they automatically activate the triggering of the passenger protection systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to an offset regulation device for a sensor module and a method for realizing such an offset regulation, particularly for acceleration sensors and pressure sensors. The disadvantage of currently used offset regulation devices is that impermissible offset drifts or other errors are not recognized and are camouflaged by the offset regulation device. As a result, the measuring values can be distorted. The offset regulation device according to the invention comprises a monitoring device that is integrated into the offset regulation device and which recognizes and indicates such errors. This monitoring device comprises an analog or digital adder, which detects the deviation of the actual value from the desired value or values depending thereon. If the regulation takes too long because the deviation is too large and the offset is therefore not permissible, then a maximum or minimum value is reached during the adding up in the adder.

Abstract: A micromechanical enclosure suitable for micromechanical sensors, particularly acceleration sensors in the field of automotive vehicles, includes a micromechanical structure on a substrate, a conductor track layer connected to the micromechanical structure on the main surface of the substrate, a cover that covers a part of the main surface of the substrate, and a level compensation layer arranged next to the conductor track layer beneath the contact area during the manufacture of the wafer. A planarizing layer, which forms a level surface, may additionally be applied above this, to form a level area on the substrate which can easily be joined to a level area of the cover by means of a metallic wafer bond. This achieves small overall dimensions and avoids a glass frit bond.

Abstract: Information data and energy are transmitted from a central control to control modules through a bus system in an occupant protection system including occupant protection devices such as airbags. In order to avoid overloading the protection system due to an immediate recharging of an energy storage member after that member triggers an occupant protection device, such recharging is suppressed or interrupted, preferably until a reset command signal is received by the respective control module from the central control.

Abstract: An unintended triggering of a safety device, such as an airbag in an occupant protection system, especially in motor vehicles is prevented by storing already during manufacturing of the module or modules, a blocking information in a memory location of the module or modules. The blocking information is preferably temporarily stored in place of a rated information, which is then overwritten when the module has been installed in the protection system for activating the system. In addition, the module is protected against electromagnetic and/or electrostatic disturbances at the input to the bus system.

Abstract: A method controls brake pressure for a motor vehicle pressure medium-actuated power brake system in which the adjustment of a proportionality factor (k) between deceleration and brake pressure starting from an initial value (ko) is limited to a range bounded by a lower limit value and an upper limit value in which range the initial value (ko) is contained. This produces a warning travel of the pedal when excessive deviation of the brake pressure from the expected value occurs. The warning travel informs the driver of the braking effect which is deviating excessively from the expected degree. Methods are known in which a specific travel (sp) of the brake pedal is interpreted as a setting of a specific desired deceleration (zs) of the vehicle and the required brake pressure is set automatically if appropriate by incrementally adjusting a variable proportionality factor (k).

Abstract: Assemblies for electronic components, in particular for automotive electronics, must satisfy increasingly stringent demands in terms of quality and especially cost efficiency. These demands are met by the assembly in accordance with the present invention, wherein the electronic components are arranged on a printed circuit board which in turn is firmly and directly connected to the surface of the metal plate. The printed circuit board and the components are molded using a suitable plastic material in such a way that the molding creates a positive connection with the metal plate at the periphery of the printed circuit board, and thus forms a moisture-proof housing both for the printed circuit board and for the components. Further advantages are in the considerable savings in material and also in a reduced production depth in comparison with known assemblies, resulting in the required cost efficiency.

Abstract: In occupant protection systems having a large number of sensors and control modules for triggering occupant protection devices, the amount of wiring is significantly increased if they are to be communicatively connected to a central unit. For this reason, bus systems have already been suggested for the control modules for triggering occupant protection devices. In order to further reduce in the wiring, sensors are at least partially integrated into a bus system with additional control modules that are allocated to these sensors. Within the context of a diagnosis process of interrogation and response, which triggers a function test of the control modules for triggering the occupant protection devices, an actual sensor value is sent to the bus system from the control modules of the sensors as a diagnosis response. This response is processed by the central unit and/or the other control modules.