Abstract: A brake system for a motor vehicle includes a pedal unit through which activations of a brake pedal are sensed, two central units and electromechanical brake actuators assigned to wheels. Sensor signals are transmitted to the central units by the pedal unit. In the central units, brake engagement setpoint values are calculated and serially encoded together with the sensor signals, and control signals for supplementary brake functions are generated. The encoded signals are each transmitted to two respective brake actuators through data buses. The control units of the brake actuators make a majority decision and control the brake actuators accordingly.

Abstract: A control unit is controlled by a computer having a reset input. A circuit configuration protects the operation of the control unit by placing a signal at the reset input for restarting the computer in the event of a malfunction. The circuit configuration includes a first register into which a predetermined bit pattern is written in read-only fashion; a second check register in which a single defined bit is set at a time after individual program routines have been executed; a counter timer; and a comparator connected to the first register, to the second check register and to the counter timer, for comparing contents of the second check register with contents of the first register and outputting a reload signal for reloading the counter timer if the contents match.

Abstract: In a clocked power end stage for an inductive load with a free-wheeling circuit, the speed of variation of the voltage at a connecting point between a load and a switch device as well as the speed of variation of the load current flowing through the switch device is adjustable, and in fact independently of the speed of variation of the voltage. In this way, a voltage which is proportional to the load current and one which is proportional to the drain voltage are respectively differentiated, and the signals so received are superimposed on the control clock signal for the switch device. With these measures, the electromagnetic disturbances caused by the clocking can be reduced.

Abstract: Interface between two electrical circuits operated from different operating voltages, whereby an input level of the receiving circuit is proportional to the fluctuating operating voltage of the transmitting circuit. An output signal of the transmitting circuit is compared to the input level in a means for comparing that is formed with a transistor. Depending on the connection of the output signal and the input level to the transistor, an inverting or non-inverting interface circuit can be structured with few, economical component parts having small space requirements.