Abstract: A bus master for a bus for connection of sensors and/or an ignition means device, which has at least two bus driver arrangements allowing data to be received independently of one another. For this purpose a polling operation, specifically using a multiplexer or a demodulator associated through one of the particular bus driver arrangements, is used. Furthermore, a state machine is provided, which also alternatingly determines the system status on the basis of the measured quantities determined on the bus conductor for the particular bus driver arrangement. In a refinement, a particular bus driver may have a dedicated processor for system status determination.

Abstract: The error-free function of modules in a bus system with a central unit is tested. First, all (error-free) modules are set into a silent operating mode in response to an agreed silence-command, and then in this silent operating mode it is tested whether all modules still remain silent, i.e. do not transmit data, in response to an agreed data request allocated to these modules. A module that nonetheless transmits data is recognized as faulty and is deactivated. Subsequently, all modules except for a module to be tested are set into the silent operating mode, and then it is tested whether this test module transmits its data in response to the agreed data requests allocated to it and remains silent in response to the data requests not allocated to it. Additionally, the position of the return-transmitted data can be determined and compared with a nominal position.

Abstract: A sensor adapted for connection to a bus and a method for supplying power to a sensor connected to a bus are described, which serve to minimize the power consumption of a sensor connected to the bus. To this end, power for a sensor is stored in an energy storage device in a first time period and is discharged in a second time period, that is, the measurement time, in order to supply the sensor element with power. A capacitor is used as the energy storage device, and the charging of the capacitor is monitored by a voltage monitoring device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the testing of the error-free function of modules in a bus system with a central unit as well as suitable modules, a corresponding central unit and a corresponding bus system. For this purpose, an especially agreed-upon silence-command is provided, in response to which the modules in the error-free condition switch into a silent operating mode, and also expressly transmit no data particularly in response to the data requests allocated to the modules. By means of this silence-command, at first all modules can be set into the silent operating mode, and then by means of the agreed data request it can be tested whether all modules still switch into the silent operating mode. A module that nonetheless still transmits is recognized as faulty and is, for example, deactivated.

Abstract: A bus station addressable using at least one group address is provided. For the evaluation of the group addresses, the bus station has a decoder for converting a group address received via the bus into a decimal group address, a register in which the permissible group addresses are stored as a register word, and a logic circuit for the comparison of the decoding word and the register word. The logic circuit generates an enabling signal for the bus station, as a function of the comparison.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor for connection to a bus and to a method for supplying energy to a sensor that is connected to a bus, which is designed to minimize energy consumption of a sensor connected to a bus. To this end, energy for a sensor is charged in an energy accumulator during a first period and discharged during a second period, that is, during the measuring time, with the purpose of supplying energy to the sensor element. A capacitor is used as energy accumulator and charging of the capacitor is monitored by the voltage monitoring device.

Abstract: A bus station for connection to a bus system for restraining means and/or sensor is used for muting a defective bus station or to have automatic error management carried out in the bus station, to enable the bus station to transmit properly again. For this purpose, the transmitting current and/or the power consumption of the bus station is monitored. The transmitting stage is triggered and, if appropriate, isolated from the bus station as a function of this monitoring. In a refinement a backup transmitting stage may be connected as a replacement for the defective transmitting stage.

Abstract: A bus master for a bus for connection of sensors and/or ignition means is described, which has at least two bus drivers allowing data to be received independently of one another. For this purpose a polling operation, specifically using a multiplexer or a demodulator associated through one of the particular bus drivers, is used. Furthermore, a state machine is provided, which also alternatingly determines the system status on the basis of the measured quantities determined on the bus conductor for the particular bus driver. In a refinement, a particular bus driver may have a dedicated processor for system status determination.