Abstract: An oxygen sensor is in a system including compensator circuitry connected to the oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor includes a pump cell and the compensator circuitry includes a feedback control loop which includes a digital compensator which determines and outputs a compensation current to the pump cell or adjusts a pump cell voltage. A method of controlling the oxygen sensor includes, subsequent to a period of time when the feedback control loop is disrupted, pumping a balancing current into or out the pump cell for a balancing time interval, the balancing current and/or the balancing time interval is dependent on a current pumped into or out of the pump cell prior to the feedback control loop being disrupted.

Abstract: A method of operating an oxygen sensor system is provided where the system includes an oxygen sensor, the oxygen sensor including a pump cell, and wherein the oxygen sensor is connected to associated circuitry such that the associated circuitry controls operation of the pump cell. The pump cell includes a pump line connected to a pump electrode of the pump cell and a return line connected to a return electrode of the pump cell. The method includes, subsequent to a diagnostic process, raising the potential of the pump line for a predetermined period of time by injecting current onto the pump line.

Abstract: A method of operating an oxygen sensor system is provided where the system includes an oxygen sensor, the oxygen sensor including a pump cell, and wherein the oxygen sensor is connected to associated circuitry such that the associated circuitry controls operation of the pump cell. The pump cell includes a pump line connected to a pump electrode of the pump cell and a return line connected to a return electrode of the pump cell. The method includes, subsequent to a diagnostic process, raising the potential of the pump line for a predetermined period of time by injecting current onto the pump line.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor is in a system including compensator circuitry connected to the oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor includes a pump cell and the compensator circuitry includes a feedback control loop which includes a digital compensator which determines and outputs a compensation current to the pump cell or adjusts a pump cell voltage. A method of controlling the oxygen sensor includes, subsequent to a period of time when the feedback control loop is disrupted, pumping a balancing current into or out the pump cell for a balancing time interval, the balancing current and/or the balancing time interval is dependent on a current pumped into or out of the pump cell prior to the feedback control loop being disrupted.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor system includes an oxygen sensor and associated circuitry connected thereto. The oxygen sensor including a reference cell. The associated circuitry measures the impedance of the reference cell at time intervals, wherein the time intervals include a random component.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor system includes an oxygen sensor and associated circuitry connected thereto. The oxygen sensor including a reference cell. The associated circuitry measures the impedance of the reference cell at time intervals, wherein the time intervals include a random component.

Abstract: Compensator circuitry is provided for an oxygen sensor which includes a pump cell and a reference cell. The compensator circuitry includes a feedback control loop which maintains the reference cell at a reference voltage. The feedback control loop includes a digital compensator which determines and outputs a compensation current to the pump cell dependent on a reference voltage measured from the reference cell. The digital compensator also suspends the determination and output of the compensation current for a set time which is dependent on detection of edges in an oxygen sensor heater Pulse Width Modulation signal.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a method is for controlling a switch. The switch is used to charge a capacitor that provides an output voltage. The switch has an inductor on an input side between a power source and the switch. The method includes: initiating a switching cycle including turning on the switch, sensing a voltage representing current through the inductor, using a reference voltage as a basis for turning off the switch during the switching cycle when the sensed voltage exceeds the reference voltage, and setting an initial value of the reference voltage at a beginning of the switching cycle based on at least one feature of an activation of the switch during at least one previous switching cycle.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a method is for controlling a switch. The switch is used to charge a capacitor that provides an output voltage. The switch has an inductor on an input side between a power source and the switch. The method includes: initiating a switching cycle including turning on the switch, sensing a voltage representing current through the inductor, using a reference voltage as a basis for turning off the switch during the switching cycle when the sensed voltage exceeds the reference voltage, and setting an initial value of the reference voltage at a beginning of the switching cycle based on at least one feature of an activation of the switch during at least one previous switching cycle.