Abstract: An analog front-end architecture for a capacitive pressure sensor with a low-noise amplifier unit for amplification of sensor signals from the sensor. The amplifier unit includes first and second integrator units for integrating charges injected into input terminals of the amplifier unit and for outputting integrated charges to output terminals of the amplifier unit, a feedback unit, and a startup unit. The feedback unit reinjects integrated charges from the integrator unit into the input terminals of the amplifier unit. The startup unit is switchable between first and second switching states and is configured, in the first switching state, to route the charges injected into the input terminals past the first integrator unit into the second integrator unit and from the second integrator unit into the feedback unit, and, in the second switching state, to route charges injected into the input terminals directly into the first integrator unit.

Abstract: An analog frontend architecture for a capacitive pressure sensor. The analog frontend architecture includes a low-noise amplifier unit for low-noise amplification of sensor signals of the capacitive pressure sensor, the low-noise amplifier unit including a first integrator unit and a second integrator unit, the first integrator unit being connected to input terminals of the low-noise amplifier unit, being designed as a boxcar integrator, and being configured to amplify sensor signals of the capacitive pressure sensor according to the boxcar integration technique, and the second integrator unit being connected to output terminals of the low-noise amplifier unit and being configured to integrate the amplified voltage signals of the first integrator unit.

Abstract: A method for testing a sensor within an electronic circuit. The sensor includes a first sensor element and a first reference element in a first branch, and a second sensor element and a second reference element in a second branch of the Wheatstone bridge circuit, which is in parallel with the first branch. The Wheatstone bridge circuit includes first and second inputs for first and second reference signals, respectively, which are each connected to the branches. The first branch includes a first signal output, and the second branch includes a second signal output between the second sensor element and the second reference element. The method includes: opening the first or second switch; applying a predefined first and/or second reference signal(s); and evaluating a first or second useful signal as to whether damage to the sensor or an electrical connection between the sensor and the electronic circuit exists.

Abstract: A comparator formed by first and second stages. The second stage is formed by a pair of output transistors connected between a power-supply line and respective output nodes; a pair of bias transistors, connected between a respective output node and a current source; a pair of memory elements, connected between the control terminals of the output transistors and opposite output nodes; and switches coupled between the control terminals of the respective output transistors and the respective output nodes. In an initial autozeroing step, the first stage stores its offset so as to generate an offset-free current signal. In a subsequent tracking step, the second stage receives the current signal and the memory elements store control voltages of the respective output transistors. In a subsequent evaluating step, the first stage is disconnected from the second stage and the memory elements receive the current signal and switch the first and the second output node depending on the current signal.