Abstract: A method for detecting malfunctions in inertial measurement units which are used in a vehicle to measure angular velocities and specific forces may have at least three inertial measurement units. Each inertial measurement unit may have a plurality of sensors, such as accelerometer and gyroscopic sensors. A first inertial measurement unit is used as a master inertial measurement unit. A second inertial measurement unit and a third inertial measurement unit, the capabilities of which can be lower than those of the first inertial measurement unit, are used as slave inertial measurement units. Measurements of the master inertial measurement unit are used as reference values to compensate measurements of the slave inertial measurement unit regarding estimation of error model parameters with respect to the master inertial measurement unit to detect a malfunction in one of the three sensor signals.

Abstract: A method monitors a sensor clock signal in a sensor unit, which is generated and output for a data transfer between the sensor unit and a control unit with a predefined period duration. A reference clock signal having a predefined reference period duration is received. The sensor clock signal is compared to the reference clock signal. Based on the comparison, a deviation of the current period duration of the sensor clock signal from a target period duration is detected. Based on the detected deviation, a counting pulse or a reset pulse is emitted.

Abstract: A method corrects at least one transmission parameter for data transmission between a sensor unit and a control unit. A sensor timing signal is generated by a sensor oscillator with a predetermined period. The at least one transmission parameter is determined on the basis of the sensor timing signal. A reference timing signal is generated by a reference oscillator with a predefined reference period. The sensor timing signal is compared with the reference timing signal. A deviation of a current period of the sensor timing signal from a reference period is determined on the basis of the comparison. The at least one transmission parameter is corrected on the basis of the determined deviation.

Abstract: A method corrects at least one transmission parameter for data transmission between a sensor unit and a control unit. A sensor timing signal is generated by a sensor oscillator with a predetermined period. The at least one transmission parameter is determined on the basis of the sensor timing signal. A reference timing signal is generated by a reference oscillator with a predefined reference period. The sensor timing signal is compared with the reference timing signal. A deviation of a current period of the sensor timing signal from a reference period is determined on the basis of the comparison. The at least one transmission parameter is corrected on the basis of the determined deviation.

Abstract: A method monitors a sensor clock signal in a sensor unit, which is generated and output for a data transfer between the sensor unit and a control unit with a predefined period duration. A reference clock signal having a predefined reference period duration is received. The sensor clock signal is compared to the reference clock signal. Based on the comparison, a deviation of the current period duration of the sensor clock signal from a target period duration is detected. Based on the detected deviation, a counting pulse or a reset pulse is emitted.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a collision characteristic of a vehicle collision for triggering safety means of the vehicle. The method has a step of an ascertainment of at least one determination-relevant time segment of a sensor signal representing the vehicle collision before a triggering time for a safety means. The method also has a step of a comparison of at least two features of the sensor signal in the at least one time segment with one another in order to determine the collision characteristic.

Abstract: A device for controlling personal protection apparatus in a vehicle includes: at least one sensor unit that acquires at least one physical quantity; and evaluation and control unit which (i) produces, from the at least one acquired physical quantity, at least one signal curve that characterizes an impact, (ii) determines, as a function of an energy dissipation behavior of the vehicle, at least one temporal phase in the produced signal curve, and (iii) evaluates the at least one phase for crash classification and for a triggering decision for the personal protection apparatus. The evaluation and control unit retroactively calculates at least one feature of the energy dissipation based on a characteristic time in the signal curve that represents the end of a first temporal phase.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a collision characteristic of a vehicle collision for triggering safety means of the vehicle. The method has a step of an ascertainment of at least one determination-relevant time segment of a sensor signal representing the vehicle collision before a triggering time for a safety means. The method also has a step of a comparison of at least two features of the sensor signal in the at least one time segment with one another in order to determine the collision characteristic.

Abstract: A device for controlling personal protection apparatus in a vehicle includes: at least one sensor unit that acquires at least one physical quantity; and evaluation and control unit which (i) produces, from the at least one acquired physical quantity, at least one signal curve that characterizes an impact, (ii) determines, as a function of an energy dissipation behavior of the vehicle, at least one temporal phase in the produced signal curve, and (iii) evaluates the at least one phase for crash classification and for a triggering decision for the personal protection apparatus. The evaluation and control unit retroactively calculates at least one feature of the energy dissipation based on a characteristic time in the signal curve that represents the end of a first temporal phase.