Abstract: A method includes, responsive to an application of power to an IC, self-initializing the IC by asserting a reset signal for a reset period. Self-initializing the IC also includes, in response to an expiration of the reset period, deasserting the reset signal. Self-initializing the IC also includes, responsive to deasserting the reset signal, automatically obtaining first temperature data from at least one thermal sensing device associated with a die of the IC, and storing the first temperature data in a storage component of the IC.

Abstract: A method is proved for pinpointing a short-circuit in a wide-range air/fuel sensor having one or more sensor-terminals that include a reference-terminal, a pump-terminal, a return-terminal, and a tag-terminal. The method includes controlling a connection of a source of electric current to the one or more sensor-terminals; determining one or more status-values based on signals present at the sensor-terminals; and determining a sensor-status of the wide-range air/fuel sensor based on the connection of source of electric current and the one or more status-values.

Abstract: A method is proved for pinpointing a short-circuit in a wide-range air/fuel sensor having one or more sensor-terminals that include a reference-terminal, a pump-terminal, a return-terminal, and a tag-terminal. The method includes controlling a connection of a source of electric current to the one or more sensor-terminals; determining one or more status-values based on signals present at the sensor-terminals; and determining a sensor-status of the wide-range air/fuel sensor based on the connection of source of electric current and the one or more status-values.

Abstract: A short-circuit pinpointing device for testing a wide-range air/fuel sensor includes a current-sink and a controller. The current-sink is selectively connectable to one or more of sensor-terminals of a wide-range air/fuel sensor that include a reference-terminal, a pump-terminal, a return-terminal, and a tag-terminal. The controller is in communication with the current-sink and the sensor-terminals. The controller controls the connection of the current-sink to the one or more sensor-terminals. The controller also determines one or more status-values based on signals present at the sensor-terminals. The controller also determines a sensor-status of the wide-range air/fuel sensor based on the connection of the current-sink and the one or more status-values.

Abstract: A short-circuit pinpointing device for testing a wide-range air/fuel sensor includes a current-sink and a controller. The current-sink is selectively connectable to one or more of sensor-terminals of a wide-range air/fuel sensor that include a reference-terminal, a pump-terminal, a return-terminal, and a tag-terminal. The controller is in communication with the current-sink and the sensor-terminals. The controller controls the connection of the current-sink to the one or more sensor-terminals. The controller also determines one or more status-values based on signals present at the sensor-terminals. The controller also determines a sensor-status of the wide-range air/fuel sensor based on the connection of the current-sink and the one or more status-values.

Abstract: A controller includes a high-side circuit, a low-side circuit, a level-shift circuit, and a data-validation circuit. The high-side circuit is referenced to an offset-voltage reference that is offset voltage-wise relative to a ground reference of the controller. The low-side circuit is operable to output a control signal for the high-side circuit. The control signal is referenced to the ground reference. The level-shift circuit is configured to output a shifted signal to the high-side circuit that is referenced to the offset-voltage reference and based on the control signal. The data-validation circuit is configured to receive the shifted signal, determine a first value of the shifted signal at a first instant, determine a second value of the shifted signal at a second instant different in time from the first instant, and validate the shifted signal based on a determination that the first value and the second value correspond.

Abstract: A controller includes a high-side circuit, a low-side circuit, a level-shift circuit, and a data-validation circuit. The high-side circuit is referenced to an offset-voltage reference that is offset voltage-wise relative to a ground reference of the controller. The low-side circuit is operable to output a control signal for the high-side circuit. The control signal is referenced to the ground reference. The level-shift circuit is configured to output a shifted signal to the high-side circuit that is referenced to the offset-voltage reference and based on the control signal. The data-validation circuit is configured to receive the shifted signal, determine a first value of the shifted signal at a first instant, determine a second value of the shifted signal at a second instant different in time from the first instant, and validate the shifted signal based on a determination that the first value and the second value correspond.

Abstract: A system and component for generating a drive signal suitable to operate a fuel injector. The drive signal includes one or more injector pulses. Each injector pulse is characterized by a desired pulse profile. The system includes an injector driver and a controller. The injector driver is operable to apply a supply voltage to the fuel injector. The controller is configured to store a plurality of state definitions that determine an operation state of the injector driver when a selected definition of the plurality of state definitions is communicated to the injector driver. The controller is further configured to receive a sequence of state values that determine an order that the state definitions are communicated to the injector driver to generate piecewise an injector pulse exhibiting the pulse profile, and thereby generate the drive signal.

Abstract: A system and component for generating a drive signal suitable to operate a fuel injector. The drive signal includes one or more injector pulses. Each injector pulse is characterized by a desired pulse profile. The system includes an injector driver and a controller. The injector driver is operable to apply a supply voltage to the fuel injector. The controller is configured to store a plurality of state definitions that determine an operation state of the injector driver when a selected definition of the plurality of state definitions is communicated to the injector driver. The controller is further configured to receive a sequence of state values that determine an order that the state definitions are communicated to the injector driver to generate piecewise an injector pulse exhibiting the pulse profile, and thereby generate the drive signal.