Abstract: A control chip for providing the basic functionality of a control unit includes a voltage supply having at least two, in particular three, output voltages; at least two, in particular three, sensor power supplies, in particular having 5-V and/or 3.3-V output voltage; at least one driver for bidirectional interfaces; a CAN driver; a follower control; a main relay output stage having a diagnostic function; at least one bidirectional serial interface for controlling the output stages and for communicating with a microcontroller; at least six power output stages, in particular having rated currents of 0.6 A to 3 A; at least one low-level signal output, in particular having a rated current of 50 mA, and four ignition drivers.

Abstract: A method of detecting manipulation of a programmable memory device of a digital controller for a motor vehicle is described; data and control programs for operation of the controller and for control/regulation of certain functions of the motor vehicle can be stored in the memory device. To permit especially reliable detection of manipulation in the simplest possible way, in conjunction with each programming/reprogramming operation of the programmable memory device, information regarding the programming/reprogramming operation is stored in a separate memory area of the memory device where only reading and programming are possible, and in order to detect manipulation, the content of the separate memory area is read out and compared with given information.

Abstract: A control chip for providing the basic functionality of a control unit includes a voltage supply having at least two, in particular three, output voltages; at least two, in particular three, sensor power supplies, in particular having 5-V and/or 3.3-V output voltage; at least one driver for bidirectional interfaces; a CAN driver; a follower control; a main relay output stage having a diagnostic function; at least one bidirectional serial interface for controlling the output stages and for communicating with a microcontroller; at least six power output stages, in particular having rated currents of 0.6 A to 3 A; at least one low-level signal output, in particular having a rated current of 50 rtiA, and four ignition drivers.

Abstract: A method of detecting manipulation of a programable memory device of a digital controller for a motor vehicle is described; data and control programs for operation of the controller and for control/regulation of certain functions of the motor vehicle can be stored in the memory device. To permit especially reliable detection of manipulation in the simplest possible way, in conjunction with each programing/reprograming operation of the programable memory device, information regarding the programing/reprograming operation is stored in a separate memory area of the memory device where only reading and programing are possible, and in order to detect manipulation, the content of the separate memory area is read out and compared with given information.

Abstract: A method of detecting manipulation of a programable memory device of a digital controller for a motor vehicle is described; data and control programs for operation of the controller and for control/regulation of certain functions of the motor vehicle can be stored in the memory device. To permit especially reliable detection of manipulation in the simplest possible way, in conjunction with each programing/reprograming operation of the programable memory device, information regarding the programing/reprograming operation is stored in a separate memory area of the memory device where only reading and programing are possible, and in order to detect manipulation, the content of the separate memory area is read out and compared with given information.

Abstract: A device which reshapes sinusoidal signals with a singularity to generate square-wave signals and detects the singularity in an unambiguous and reliable manner. The sinusoidal pulses are reshaped into square-wave pulses in such a way that the edges of the square-wave pulses always occur at the same location regardless of the height of the sinusoidal signal. This is achieved in that a change in the edges of the square-wave signals is initiated whenever the sinusoidal signal crosses the zero-axis. The required signal processing and logical comparisons, which also enable a definite detection of reference marks, are carried out in a suitable circuit arrangement.

Abstract: A device for recognizing the angular position of a rotating part is described in which the rotating part is a pick-up disc (14) provided with a multiplicity of regular angle marks (11) and a distinguishable reference mark (12), which is formed, for example, by two missing angle marks (11). The number of angle marks is (n-2), where n is a number which is divisible by as many numbers as possible corresponding to different numbers of cylinders and, for example, is 36. The voltage sequence generated in the sensor (15) is analyzed in the control unit (19), unambiguous cylinder recognition being obtained after the recognition of the reference mark (12) by comparison with a camshaft signal. The analysis of the voltage sequence also supplies the rotational speed and flanks, which can be predetermined, of the pulse sequence used for ignition and/or injection control.

Abstract: The invention relates to ignition circuit monitoring in an internal combustion engine, where a sensor signal is generated in the course of each ignition by an ignition current sensor (5), which is supplied via a pulse shaper (6) to a memory unit (7). An ignition computer (4) reads out the contents of the memory following each ignition or each sensor signal and resets the memory unit (7) prior to the next ignition. Thus, when the sensor signal is missing, the ignition computer (4) detects the lack of ignition and an appropriate control signal is made available for control actions.

Abstract: A distributorless ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes one spark coil for cylinder of the engine, a first reference signal generator for producing a first signal indicative of each revolution of the engine, a second reference signal generator for producing a second signal indicative of every second revolution of the engine, and a processor for evaluating the advance and dwell angles of an ignition pulse to a selected spark coil determined from a logical combination of the first and second signals. During starting, the processor is arranged to operate in a dual-spark mode for the first revolution of the engine and produce two ignition pulses simultaneously for each first signal, one to each of two cylinders which are 360.degree. out of phase with each other. During running of the engine, the second reference signal generator is monitored and, if found to be faulty, the processor changes from a one-spark mode to a dual-spark mode.

Abstract: A distributorless ignition system using a dual-spark ignition coil generates a signal indicative of which of the two cylinders associated with the dual-spark coil is operating in its power stroke by means of a single detector connected to a predetermined one of the cylinders. The output of the detector is fed to a sample and hold circuit which supplies the peak value from the detector to the control unit of the ignition system where the peak value is evaluated and identified by comparison to a previously obtained peak value. The control unit indicates that the predetermined cylinder is in its power stroke when the detected peak value signal is at its higher level. Conversely, when the peak value signal is at its lower level the control unit determines that it is the other of the two cylinders which is in its lower stroke and signals this accordingly.

Abstract: A high-voltage switch is suggested which is usable particularly as an ignition voltage distributor for applying the ignition voltage to spark plugs of an internal combustion engine. The high-voltage switch comprises a cascade circuit of optoelectric semiconductor elements which are actuated or connected through by means of incident light radiation. Very high voltages can accordingly be switched in an exact manner, wherein a galvanic separation is provided between control circuit and high-voltage circuit. The control circuit can be operated with low voltage, so that use in connection with electronic ignition systems is particularly simple.

Abstract: The resistance to supply voltage, e.g. battery, fluctuation of an input/output circuit for a control system, e.g. vehicular ignition/fuel injection system, is improved by placing a comparator K in each analog input line, and using a voltage divider UD to compensate the reference voltage U.sub.R applied to one of the comparator inputs. Processing speed is increased by using digital comparators 22-26, which test not only for threshold value equal to counter state, but also for threshold value greater than counter state, in the duty-cycle modification circuit. Chip count is reduced and integration is increased by using a single voltage divider to supply all the input comparators and by using a High-Speed Output (HSO) port on the central processing unit (CPU) to perform multiple output tasks.

Abstract: A switching circuit is suggested for controlling the current through an electrical consumer, in particular an electromagnetic consumer (10), whereby a field effect transistor (11) is used as a control and current measuring member being series connected to the consumer. The field effect transistor is brought into the conductive condition with the assistance of a controlling device, such as an operational amplifier which in turn is immediately controlled by switching-on enforcing means when the field effect transistor is short-circuited with respect to a power source. The switching-on enforcing means comprise a capacitor, for example.

Abstract: To control the ON or conduction time of a transistor (4) serially connected with the primary winding (2) of an ignition coil, the voltage drop across the collector or base respectively, and emitter is sensed and used as a control parameter with respect to a set or reference value determining current flow through the ignition coil under conditions of complete discharge of stored energy from the ignition coil. Conditions of complete discharge occur within a first speed range; in other speed ranges, in which residual stored energy remains within the ignition coil, indicative of current flow therethrough starting from a value other than zero or null, the voltage sensed across the transistor is compared with the reference value, and the current flow time adjusted in dependence on the comparison.

Abstract: To protect electrical equipment against excessive applied input signals which, for example, may be analog signals, excessive with respect to positive or negative excess voltage in relation to an upper reference level (U.sub.Ref) and/or a lower reference level (GND), collector current control of the transistor (12) at the input (3) of the protective circuit by three transistors (11, 13, 14) holds the voltage level at the input (3) at the reference voltage level when a driving or signal supply circuit provides an excess voltage. The input transistors, and the further transistors, are connected in the form of a current mirror. The circuit can be constructed in dual form (11-14; 21-24) to provide for protection against negative over-voltage as well. Due to the symmetrical circuit structure, excellent temperature compensation is obtained. The circuit can easily be constructed in the form of an integrated circuit.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine ignition system includes an output switching transistor (7), the emitter-collector path of which is in series with the primary winding (5) of an ignition coil (6). To attain a constant amount of ignition energy in the ignition coil (6), the control current for the base of the output switching transistor (7) is supplied by a constant-current source (9), the level of the constant control current being selected such that while the ignition energy is being stored in the ignition coil (6), the saturated operation of the output switching transistor (7) is maintained.

Abstract: A switching transistor (5) has its collector connected to a common junction (J) with a load (6), typically an ignition coil (8). A first driver transistor (11) connected through the base-emitter path of a second driver transistor (12) to control the conduction state of the switching transistor. A signal source (20, 21) alternatingly, causing the driver transistor to be blocked or conductive.

Abstract: A voltage-frequency converter having a chargeable and dischargeable memory, a comparator circuit and a subsequent multivibrator, wherein the charging and/or discharging signal for the memory is obtained from special signal sources. At constant charging and discharging signals, a linear voltage-frequency conversion is provided. In the case of variable charging or discharging voltages, non-linear signal conversions are possible. The multivibrator may be a digital monostable multivibrator, to effect precise, reproducible and quantifiable period durations in the output signal of the converter, and thus a very precise voltage-frequency conversion.