Abstract: A method for testing and safeguarding the availability of a networked system which is assigned to a system carrier, wherein a multiplicity of subscribers exchange data via a bus-type network which is comprised of one or more bus lines. Specific voltage levels are applied to the bus line or the lines by the appropriate subscribers. By virtue of this, as a minimum, at least individual subscribers transmit data. The bus line or the lines is/are monitored by the at least one receiving subscriber for an overshoot or undershoot of voltage levels. Due to this, the data is evaluated in at least one receiving subscriber with the aid of voltage levels. During operation of the system, signals present on the bus-type network are discriminated, tested or measured with respect to at least one signal criterion by individual subscribers under conditions defined in a network-wide manner for all subscribers.

Abstract: A semiconductor circuit for an electronic unit having at least one microcontroller comprises at least one voltage regulator for providing, from a first supply voltage, at least one second supply voltage for the microcontroller and for circuits of the unit which cooperate with the microcontroller. The circuit further comprises, in monolithic form, a transceiver unit having transmitting and receiving device for coupling a microcontroller to the two-wire bus. This monolithic construction may additionally comprise watchdog functions, various wake-up functions and an interface via which a serial data exchange with the at least one microcontroller is possible. Furthermore, it may have an apparatus for determining, throughout the network, bus subscribers having reference-ground potential faults and for quantifying such faults.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining potential shifts between electronic modules in a wire bus network or for determining the correspondence quality of their communications operating levels in the network interconnection. The bus medium comprises at least one wire bus which is directly electrically connected to the electronic modules. An offset voltage is added in at least one bus subscriber (test subscriber) on the transmission side to at least one of two dominant, normal source levels and a test message is transmitted into the bus network by the test subscriber which is in this dominant state onto the bus network. This results in a modification of the source level in a predetermined manner. Depending on whether at least one of the two dominant source levels is decreased or increased by the adjustable offset voltage, an evaluation of whether the (reference-earth) potential-defective bus subscriber loses or gains its reception capability is performed.

Abstract: In a method for testing the ground contact of parts of a networked system in which data are sent and received via at least one line, at least one line at each part is connected via a resistance arrangement to a common potential of the parts and is connectable via a controllable switch to a further potential. The voltage across the resistance arrangement is compared with a predetermined potential when the line is at one potential in a steady state, and the state of the ground contact of the part is deduced from a comparison of the voltage across the resistance arrangement with the predetermined potential.

Abstract: An antenna system for a satellite-supported navigation device in a vehicle includes a part which is to be arranged on the exterior of a mounting surface of the vehicle body and which contains an antenna component, a system part to be arranged on the interior, and a coupling device for coupling on antenna signal and a power supply between the exterior part and the interior part. The coupling devices includes signal transmission devices which transmit power supply signals and, as required, also data signals in a wireless manner through the mounting surface between the exterior and the interior parts.

Abstract: A device for monitoring balanced two-wire bus lines and two-wire but interfaces has first, second and third comparison circuits for comparing the wire potentials with one another and with a fixed reference voltage, and two shift registers or counters as well as at least one pulse generator for deriving reset pulses from each change in sign of the potential comparison of the two bus conductors with one another. The shift registers or counters are respectively reset by the reset pulses. Result signals produced from the comparison of the bus potentials with a fixed reference voltage can be fed to the shift registers or counters for the purpose of shifting or incrementing said registers or counters respectively. The register length or number of counter stages can be selected as a function of a desired bit error tolerance depth. The device can be extended by a self-resetting system after temporary bus disturbances.

Abstract: A method for monitoring symmetrical two-wire bus lines and two-wire bus interfaces and a device for carrying out the method provides pulse weighting of low to high transitions or high to low transitions of the two wires operated in phase opposition of a two-wire bus line. The pulse chains thus obtained are used for step sequencing. In each case, one multistep shift function which is assigned to the first bus wire, is supplied with a first, constant logic read in state and can be reset to a second logic state in all-step fashion and, for all-step resetting of a similar second multistep shift function assigned to the second bus while, and vice versa, the step last achieved for each multistep shift function characterizing the respective fault state of the other bus wire. The pulse weighting is achieved by differentiation or high-pass filtering or by pulse generation controlled by state transition.

Abstract: An arrangement for the inductive querying of and supplying of power to an isolated circuit having an electrical consuming device. The arrangement uses two isolating transformers each with a read winding to simultaneously compare the resistance of the consuming device with that of a simulation device when powered by a low alternating test current. Te arrangement has two outputs for test voltages corresponding to resistance deviations of the consuming device and the reference element, deviate in opposite directions. A bidirectional crosswise transmission of the testing power and the testing signal for the consuming device and the simulation compensates for tolerances of the transformers. When an increased alternating current is fed, the arrangement also causes the efficient supplying of power to the consuming device and a limiting of the power loss at the simulation.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel process for the mass production of thin, flexible electrical low-cost circuits. More particularly, the invention concerns the super mass production of flexible planar LC circuits, as are commercially desired as marker means in electronic article surveillance systems. The novel method provides the computerized nonstop super-mass production of such circuits and breaks down prior art barriers in view of limits for custom designs of shape, face, and resonant properties of such circuits. Custom designs of circuits are easily layouted onscreen of a modern personal computer. The data obtained thereof are downloaded to the process line. Hopping custom circuit designs with ease is unprecedentedly introduced. Forming tools have been abandoned. As an exclusive longlife production tool electromagnetic wave energy is extensively used. The circuits obtained may be washed and sewn and nicely go one way with a pretty commercial face.