Abstract: A sensor controller for a particulate matter detection sensor includes a heater configured to heat an attachment portion so as to burn and remove particulate matter attached to the attachment portion, a learning portion for obtaining a sensor detection value immediately after burning and removing the particulate matter due to heating of the heater. The leaning portion calculates a sensor standard value based on the obtained sensor detection value in a state where the particulate matter is removed, and stores the sensor standard value as a learning value. Furthermore, a correcting portion corrects the sensor detection value based on the sensor standard value stored by the learning portion.

Abstract: The degradation simulator is used for a gas sensor including a sensor element having a solid electrolyte layer and a pair of electrodes located opposite to each other across from the solid electrolyte layer, the sensor element outputting a sensor output signal having a value depending on concentration of a specific gas in the ambient gas. The degradation simulator includes a first setting function of enabling variably setting a time constant delay which appears on the sensor output signal when concentration of the specific gas changes, a second setting function of enabling variably setting a dead time delay which appears on the sensor output signal when concentration of the specific gas changes, and an adding function of adding at least one of the time constant delay and dead time delay to the sensor output signal in order to generate a pseudo-degraded sensor output signal in accordance with an external instruction.

Abstract: The degradation simulator is used for a gas sensor including a sensor element having a solid electrolyte layer and a pair of electrodes located opposite to each other across from the solid electrolyte layer, the sensor element outputting a sensor output signal having a value depending on concentration of a specific gas in the ambient gas. The degradation simulator includes a first setting function of enabling variably setting a time constant delay which appears on the sensor output signal when concentration of the specific gas changes, a second setting function of enabling variably setting a dead time delay which appears on the sensor output signal when concentration of the specific gas changes, and an adding function of adding at least one of the time constant delay and dead time delay to the sensor output signal in order to generate a pseudo-degraded sensor output signal in accordance with an external instruction.

Abstract: A current detection resistance in a sensor control device is connected to a sensor element. The current flowing in the sensor element is detected through the current detection resistance. The current detection resistance is connected to an inverting amplification circuit for outputting an air/fuel output voltage to be transferred to a microcomputer. An offset setting circuit is connected to one input terminal of an operational amplifier in the inverting amplification circuit. The offset setting circuit is comprised of a switching element, a resistance connected in series to the switching element, and two dividing voltage resistances whose common node is connected to the resistance. The offset setting circuit generates and gives an offset to the A/F output voltage. The switching element is turned ON and OFF based on an offset switching signal transferred from the microcomputer.