Abstract: A method for detecting faulty switching operations of a first relay whose switching element is connected in series with a load and which, depending on the switch position, interrupts or closes the connection to the load in accordance with switching commands. In this context, a current is detected flowing through a circuit containing the switching element, and a faulty function of the relay, in particular a sticking of the switching element, is detected if the current intensity does not correspond to the current intensity to be expected in accordance with the selected switching position. Further relays, which can be provided in order to commutate the potentials at the load, can be included in the test. The method makes possible a relay test without moving the actuators, assuming the relays are in order. In addition, this generates a time savings, since not all of the relays have to be triggered for the test.

Abstract: A radio resource method and apparatus involves allocating transmission channels to and from a node (26) based on the system load requirement.

Abstract: A convertible-top system for a motor vehicle has a signal-processing arrangement for detecting actuating commands and for controlling drive mechanisms for the convertible-top system in open and/or closed loop as a function of the actuating commands. The signal-processing arrangement emits signals, which are a function of the state of the convertible-top system, to at least one operating device of at least one external component not belonging to the convertible-top system. The external components are influenced by way of the control signals.

Abstract: A circuit and a method for actuating a brushless DC motor are proposed. The circuit comprises a delta-connected oscillator (1) for generating a triangular voltage as a function of commutation pulses resulting from the position of the rotor of the DC motor, a sampling and hold circuit (2) for sampling and holding a holding voltage (Ul) from the curve of the triangular voltage as a function of time at the moment of the commutation, and a differential amplifier (4) for amplifying the differential voltage between the triangular voltage and the holding voltage (Ul), with the output signal of the differential amplifier being supplied to the final stage of the actuation control circuit. An additional adder (3) for adding a voltage (U block) to the holding voltage (Ul) sampled from the triangular voltage and held can be used, with the differential voltage between the triangular voltage and the sum of holding voltage (Ul) and block voltage (U block) being amplified in the differential amplifier (4).

Abstract: An electronic control device for an electric motor (10), particularly an electrically commutated (EC) motor, whose motor windings (11 to 13), in order to control the winding current, are connected in series with respective control transistors (15 to 17) whose control connections are charged by control pulses which are triggered by commutation signals and which have a predeterminable pulse-duty factor (block control). At the same time, the control device varies the amplitudes of the control pulses to control and permit the operation of the control transistors (15 to 17) in their amplifying range (linear control). Block control dominates in the upper rpm range in order to improve efficiency with respect to pure linear control, and linear control dominates in the lower rpm range in order to prevent severe current peaks, and hence an increased noise development that would occur with pure block control.