Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the beginning of time messages in the signal received from a time-signal transmitter. The signal of the time-signal transmitter consists of a series of blanking intervals on a carrier signal in the seconds clock cycle in which blanking intervals of different length cause different information units to be transmitted (ZERO pulse, ONE pulse, frame pulse). A time message, comprising the information units transmitted over a period of one minute, contains the actual time information in coded form. The time message has areas/sectors with defined, constant information units and areas/sectors with variable contents that code the time information. A reference message is stored in a first area of memory that contains the defined, constant information units that are located in fixed areas/sectors. A number of successive information units corresponding to the length of a time message are stored in a second area of memory.

Abstract: An alternating current ignition system which can be used in one of two ways for ion current measurement. On the one hand, an oscillating circuit at the primary end of the ignition coil can be driven such that, after ignition has taken place, an alternating current signal is generated at the primary end; the amplitude of the alternating current signal must be sufficiently low so as not to cause any sparks at the secondary end, but lead to an alternating voltage signal which is modulated in relation to the ionisation degree of the ignition spark gap and thus represents an ion current measurement signal. On the other hand, however, if an auto transformer is used as an ignition coil, the intermediate circuit voltage applying at the primary end will be modulated in the medium-high voltage range of, e.g, 180 V in relation to the degree of ionisation, so that this supply voltage is used as a measurement signal.

Abstract: A circuit configuration for the evaluation of inductive sensor signals in motor vehicles is described. An input stage comprising an input circuit and a reference circuit and a threshold value stage comprising a peak value rectifier circuit, converter circuit, comparator circuit, and adjustment circuit are provided for the recognition of the crossover of an alternating voltage sensor signal.

Abstract: A process to operate a locking system for lockable objects which features a key module having a remote control unit and a transponder for transmitting and receiving coded signals, and a lock module, fitted inside or on the lockable object, comprising a receiver unit for detection of coded signals, an evaluation unit for verification of coded signals, and a control unit for actually carrying out the unlocking or locking operation on the lockable object. A bidirectional data transmission between the key module and the lock module takes place before unlocking or locking of the object. On receiving an unlocking or locking signal sent out by the key module, the lock module will go into a waiting or standby mode and itself send out control signals by use of a transmission unit. When the user approaches the lockable object, one of the control signals will be received and evaluated by the transponder of the key module.

Abstract: A monolithically integrated circuit for carrying out different mixer and switch functions includes: at least one p-i-n diode and at least one Schottky diode monolithically integrated in the circuit. The p-i-n diode and Schottky diode are made from a common semiconductor layer sequence. The semiconductor layer sequence respectively includes: highly doped p-contact and n-contact layers, and a lightly doped insulating layer grown between the contact layers and which includes an etch arresting layer at a defined distance d from one of the contact layers.

Abstract: In order to protect against any damage caused by electrostatic discharges, an integrated circuit layout is provided with at least one circuit connection which is connected via one of two diodes, respectively, to a first supply line and a second supply line. The diodes are reverse biased, i.e., one of them becomes conductive if a potential exists at the circuit connection that is either higher or lower than the supply potentials applying to the supply lines. The circuit layout is provided with an overvoltage suppression device connecting the two supply lines. The overvoltage suppression device is switched into a low impedance state by a steep rate increase or rise in a supply voltage applied between the supply lines such that a discharge current counteracting the increase in the supply voltage will flow via the overvoltage suppression device from the one supply line to the other supply line, and the discharge energy is converted into heat in the overvoltage suppression device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for decoding transmitted information units by comparing a signal section containing an information unit with a number of reference functions. A reference function is assigned to every possible information unit and that type of information unit is considered to be recognized for which the smallest deviation is established between assigned reference function and signal section. In the method according to the invention, the reference functions are modified in accordance with the signal curve in the respective actual signal section. The modifications are appropriately calculated using a fuzzy controller.

Abstract: Chip card, in particular a PCMCIA card, complete with a transceiver component for infrared data transmission, where the IR transceiver component is completely integrated into a standard connector and the external structural components--in particular the dimensions of the chip card, connector, and printed circuit board--are not altered.

Abstract: A motor vehicle control module is described comprising a control unit with a carrier body, a circuit arrangement applied on the carrier body, a housing body that at least partially encloses the carrier body, at least one stamped grid with several stamped grid connections integrated in the housing body, and also the sensors and/or actuators with sensor elements and sensor connections and respectively actuator elements and actuator connections associated to the control unit. To reduce the space requirement and the costs and to improve the susceptibility to faults in the signal transmission from the sensors/actuators to the control unit, at least some of the sensors/actuators are situated in the control unit or in the immediate proximity of the control unit and are contacted by directly joining their respective sensor connections or actuator connections with stamped grid connections of the stamped grid of the control unit.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing ohmic contacts on an n-doped semiconductor layer of a III-V compound semiconductor. An AuGeNi layer is formed on the n-type III-V compound semiconductor, where the thickness of the AuGeNi layer is between 50 and 200 nm and both the germanium and the nickel concentration in the AuGeNi layer are less than 1 percent by weight. An Au layer with a thickness of between 250 and 1000 nm is applied to the AuGeNi layer. These layers are not alloyed but tempered either at a temperature between 430.degree. and 480.degree. C. for a period between 5 and 20 seconds or at a temperature between 360.degree. and 400.degree. C. for a period between 40 and 180 minutes. The metal semiconductor contact produced in this way has a low contact resistance and is free from the inhomogeneities of alloyed AuGeNi contacts.

Abstract: HF mixer for changing the frequency of an alternating voltage input signal at the circuit input to an output signal supplied at the circuit output, with an input signal source for generating the alternating voltage input signal and a local oscillator for providing a heterodyne signal. The mixing stage has two transistors complementary to one another, and connected as base grounded circuits or gate grounded circuits, connected in parallel for the alternating voltage input signal. The two transistors are connected to the local oscillator in such a way that they are equidirectionally driven by the heterodyne signal, so that both transistors change simultaneously to the blocked or conductive state.

Abstract: An light emitting diode of indium gallium aluminum phosphide with a substrate, an electrical contact to the substrate, a dual hetero structure as a active zone comprising a first cladding layer, an active layer and a second cladding layer to which, a window layer is applied, and to which in turn, an electrical contact is applied. This window layer is made of gallium aluminum phosphide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for associating an information unit from a limited set of various/different information units with a signal sector of given length of a data signal transmitted in a signal transmission system and including superimposed disturbances. The transmission of data takes place by a time-succession of the information units in the data signal. The various information units are coded in each case by a typical curve of the data signal in the corresponding signal sector. On the receiver side of the signal transmission system, different partial areas are determined for each signal sector under the curve of the received data signal. The various partial areas are assigned to rating numbers in accordance with their size. Based on the rating numbers, the decision is made as to which information unit has been transmitted in the relevant signal sector.

Abstract: This invention concerns a test procedure for a safety system in motor vehicles, in particular occupant protection devices such as airbag, belt tightener, or roll bar sensors. As a rule, the associated safety-critical circuit components of such safety systems will be monitored by additional and separate monitoring processors. According to this invention, a test procedure for these safety-critical circuit components requires little expense and which, using a simple-to-implement monitoring unit, will allow the same test quality to be achieved as with an independent monitoring computer.

Abstract: A folding amplifier is proposed for the construction of an A/D converter to which a current signal is fed as the input signal and from which a current difference signal is derived using a reference current. This current difference signal is fed to a first current-controlled current source, which is designed as a current mirror, and also to a second current-controlled current source, whereby the first current source takes over this current when the current difference signal has a positive sign and if the current difference signal has a negative sign the second current source takes over this current. The outputs of the first and second current-controlled current sources are fed to the output of the folding amplifier. Preferably, this folding amplifier is provided with a third current-controlled current source with sign reversal whose input is connected to the outputs of the first and second current sources and whose output is a V-shaped output current signal.

Abstract: A handset for telephone and radio systems usually consists of a casing which contains a microphone, a loudspeaker, a printed circuit board carrying the electronic components, and normally also a switching mat made of a rubber type material (e.g. silicone), which switching mat is integrated into a keypad such that the keys of the keypad act on this switching mat to close switching contacts. According to the invention, the switching mat comprises a cavity corresponding to the external shape of the loudspeaker such that the loudspeaker can be introduced into this cavity either from the rear or from one of the adjacent front ends of the switching mat. This results in a significant simplification of the assembly process, as well as a major improvement in shock and vibration protection.

Abstract: A trigger circuit for occupant protection systems in motor vehicles comprises a control unit which will effect the triggering of a means of restraint such as an airbag, depending on sensor signals generated by one or more external sensor units. To achieve a degree of triggering certainty, data interrogation must take place in very short time intervals. A safe transmission of data between the control unit and the sensor units will be ensured if, in accordance with this invention, the information units to be transmitted will each be encoded by means of a PWM signal with a certain period duration. The control unit will check the period duration of the PWM signal received, and, in the event of this actual period duration not matching the specified nominal value, it will not accept the relevant unit of information.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing integrated circuits complete with integrated low loss capacitances, inductances, and high Q resistors. Initially a large number of monocrystalline--in their lateral and vertical directions dielectrically insulated--boxes for receiving the active devices of the integrated circuit are generated on a semiconductor substrate wafer with high resistivity. A subset of the completely insulated boxes is to provide for receiving the active devices generated by appropriate bipolar, MOS, or BiCMOS technologies. The other subset is to provide for receiving the passive devices. From these boxes, the monocrystalline semiconductor material is removed completely. In the empty boxes, the walls of which boxes consist of a dielectric, thin film conductor structures are defined by deposition and lithographic processes, eventually forming the passive devices.

Abstract: An optical system with an optical unit consisting of a transmission unit with at least one transmission element for emitting optical radiation, a receiving unit with at least one receiving element for detecting optical radiation and an optical path for transmitting the optical radiation between transmission unit and receiving unit. At least one optical unit is located in the optical path to bundle and deflect the optical radiation and an optical body/optical bodies is/are assigned to either the transmission unit or the receiving unit. The optical bodies are designed as a kind of Fresnel lens and have an unstructured surface side and a structured surface side having indentations with steep flanks large slope angle and a small prism angle.

Abstract: To connect the various stations of a data processing system, a bus system is used, to which all users have access. In accordance with the invention, a method for automatic assignment of bus addresses is provided, whereby each user generates a random address that is enquired by a control unit. After clashes recognized by the control unit, this method is repeated until each user has been assigned a clear address.