Abstract: A method for identifying sensors on a bus by a control unit, as well as a control unit and a sensor for doing this. The sensors, in this instance, send physical useful data to the control unit as the basis for the control of a function. Furthermore, the physical useful data are compared to one another and/or to specified expected values, and the identification of the sensors by the control unit takes place with the aid of the comparison and based on characteristic differences in the physical useful data for the sensors.

Abstract: A sensor design, respectively a micromechanical sensor structure for capacitive relative-pressure measurement, that will allow very small pressure differentials to be reliably recorded at high absolute pressures even in harsh, particle-laden measuring environments. For that purpose, the micromechanical sensor element includes a deflectable diaphragm structure which is provided with at least one deflectable electrode, and a fixed support structure for at least one fixed counter-electrode which is located opposite the deflectable electrode. The diaphragm structure includes two mutually parallel configured diaphragms that are joined rigidly to one another via at least one connecting crosspiece, so that each application of force to one of the two diaphragms is directly transmitted to the respective other diaphragm.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flow sensor, in particular for determining the flow velocity of a medium flowing through a pipeline, has at least one ultrasonic converter for transmitting and/or receiving ultrasonic signals, an oscillator, which is connected with the ultrasonic converter, and an evaluation unit, which determines a phase shift of the ultrasonic signal that was received, with respect to a reference signal. The evaluation unit includes a plurality of quadrature demodulators, which operate with different demodulation frequencies and each determine phase information about the ultrasonic signal that was received, and when a vernier unit is provided, which determines—based on the individual pieces of phase information—a phase angle or a quantity proportional thereto.

Abstract: To determine air mass flows, especially for controlling internal combustion engines, a hot-film air-mass sensor is provided, which may be used especially for sensing air mass flows in the intake tract of an internal combustion engine. The hot-film air-mass sensor has a sensor chip having a sensor frame and a sensor diaphragm having at least one heating element and at least two temperature sensors. Furthermore, the hot-film air-mass sensor has a chip carrier for mounting the sensor chip, as well as at least one additional heating element. The sensor chip is able to be heated up using the at least one additional heating element, which is inserted into the chip carrier. Compared to the usual devices, the hot-film air-mass sensor has a lower susceptibility to contamination, especially by oil films.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a hot-film air-mass sensor, which can be used especially for measuring air mass flows in the intake tract of an internal combustion engine. The hot-film air-mass sensor has a sensor chip having a sensor frame and a sensor diaphragm having at least one heating element and at least two temperature sensors, a chip carrier for holding the sensor chip and at least one additional heating element. The sensor chip is able to be heated up using the at least one additional heating element. Immediately after shutting down the internal combustion engine, the at least one heating element of the sensor diaphragm is switched off, or is switched to a lower heating power. Furthermore, the at least one additional heating element is switched on for a specified postheating phase. The provided method is particularly suitable for avoiding oil contamination of the hot-film air-mass sensor.

Abstract: A sensor, in particular a thermal sensor and/or gas sensor, encompassing an electrical sensor component having an electrical property whose value changes in temperature-dependent fashion, wherein the temperature-dependent electrical property is a resistance or an impedance. Thermal and electrical decoupling of the active structure from the substrate is accomplished by way of porous silicon and/or a cavity manufactured by electropolishing.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor has at least two ultrasonic converters for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals, connected with a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit. A switching device is provided, by which the ultrasonic converters are connected in series when in the transmission mode, and they are separated from each other when in the receiving mode.

Abstract: A method for correcting non-linearities of an output signal of an electrical component with the aid of a characteristics map that is defined by discrete interpolation points. In this context, the adjacent interpolation points of the characteristics map are ascertained as a function of at least one signal influencing the non-linearities of the output signal. Interpolation is carried out between these interpolation points, and a corresponding correction signal is ascertained as a function of the or each signal by an interpolation. The output signal of the electrical component is corrected as a function of the correction signal. To improve the correction of non-linear transfer characteristics and/or temperature responses of the electrical component, it is proposed that the or each signal for addressing the characteristics map be high-pass filtered, and the correction signal be ascertained as a function of the or each signal by the interpolation and a subsequent low-pass filtering.

Abstract: A method for correcting non-linearities of an output signal of an electrical component with the aid of a characteristics map that is defined by discrete interpolation points. In this context, the adjacent interpolation points of the characteristics map are ascertained as a function of at least one signal influencing the non-linearities of the output signal. Interpolation is carried out between these interpolation points, and a corresponding correction signal is ascertained as a function of the or each signal by an interpolation. The output signal of the electrical component is corrected as a function of the correction signal. To improve the correction of non-linear transfer characteristics and/or temperature responses of the electrical component, it is proposed that the or each signal for addressing the characteristics map be high-pass filtered, and the correction signal be ascertained as a function of the or each signal by the interpolation and a subsequent low-pass filtering.

Abstract: A circuit for evaluating electrical signals having a programmable adjustment is described. The circuit includes an analog output for signals that have been evaluated which can be used to program the adjustment.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for amplifying a differential voltage signal in an output signal proportional to a voltage difference is provided, the voltages of a signal source that are to be compared being present at two inputs of the circuit arrangement, and a current signal proportional to the voltage difference being present at one output of the circuit arrangement, the circuit arrangement comprising cross-coupled transistors and the inputs being respectively connected to the base of one of the transistors, and a cross current of the circuit arrangement being present at the output. A compensation circuit is provided having a temperature behavior which corresponds to the temperature behavior of cross resistances of the circuit arrangement, the compensation circuit being associated with each of the inputs of the circuit arrangement.