Abstract: A sensor device comprises a sensor connected to a first signal and responsive to an external field to produce a sensor signal, a test device connected to a second signal and electrically connected in series with the sensor by an electrical test connection providing a test signal, and a monitor circuit electrically connected to the first, second and test signals. The monitor circuit comprises a processing circuit and a determination circuit. The processing circuit is responsive to the test signal and a predetermined processing value to form a processing output signal. The determination circuit is responsive to the processing output signal to determine a diagnostic signal. A sensor circuit responsive to the sensor signal provides a sensor device signal responsive to the external field.

Abstract: A sensor device comprises a sensor arranged to sense and convert the physical quantity into an electrical quantity and to output an electrical signal representative of the electrical quantity. A voltage limiter receives an input signal related to a supply voltage providing power to the sensor device and to output a voltage signal. The voltage signal has a limited value if the input voltage exceeds a voltage saturation threshold value. A voltage-to-current converter converts the voltage signal output by the voltage limiter to a supply current of a first value, thereby forming a first supply current state. A switch switches between the first supply current state and at least a second supply current state wherein the supply current is substantially independent of the supply voltage. Current generation means provides the supply current of the predetermined second value to form the second supply current state.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing errors in the correct operation of a sensor system. A positive signal amplifier saturation threshold value and a negative signal amplifier saturation threshold value less than the positive signal amplifier saturation threshold value are provided, and at least one signal comparator threshold value. A current value of a first amplified input signal at a first time is provided and a current value of a second amplified input signal obtained at a second time later than the first time, but in the same measurement cycle. The measured values of the first and second amplified input signal are compared to the current signal comparator threshold value. A new output state is determined via the measured first and second amplified input signals. From a previous comparison of the first and second amplified input signal a current output state is provided, from which an expected new output state is determined.

Abstract: A sensor circuit comprises a sensor adapted to sense a physical quantity and to produce a sensor output signal. A sensor-offset correction block is arranged to receive a signal indicative of a supply voltage applied to the sensor circuit and to generate a compensation signal based on the signal indicative of the supply voltage and on a quantity indicative of a state of the sensor circuit. A combiner is adapted to combine the sensor output signal with the compensation signal, thereby obtaining a compensated signal.

Abstract: A position sensor for determining the position of an object, comprising at least one sensing element to transduce a time-varying external signal into an electrical signal; at least one comparator circuit adapted to perform a thresholding operation on the electrical signal being characterized by a hysteresis curve; the position sensor is adapted to provide information relating to the last crossed to store it at least while the position sensor is in an inactive mode and to restore the information to obtain a selected threshold when it is switched from inactive to active mode; and configured such that a transition in an output signal is generated by the thresholding operation if the selected threshold is crossed by the electrical signal and configured to change the selected threshold after it was crossed by the electrical signal.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a sensor for sensing amounts of a physical quantity, such as an environmental attribute, and providing sensor signals formed in response to the sensed physical quantity. A diagnostic test circuit provides multiple diagnostic test signals each representing a desired response to a particular amount of the physical quantity. A signal circuit selects the sensor signal or the diagnostic test signal and forms a signal circuit output. A reference circuit provides a calibrated reference signal corresponding to a threshold amount of the physical quantity. A comparator receives and compares the calibrated reference signal and the signal circuit output to form a comparison signal. A control circuit controls the signal circuit, reference circuit, and diagnostic test circuit and receives the comparison signal to output a sensor device sensor signal or sensor device diagnostic signal.

Abstract: A sensor device comprises a sensor connected to a first signal and responsive to an external field to produce a sensor signal, a test device connected to a second signal and electrically connected in series with the sensor by an electrical test connection providing a test signal, and a monitor circuit electrically connected to the first, second and test signals. The monitor circuit comprises a processing circuit and a determination circuit. The processing circuit is responsive to the test signal and a predetermined processing value to form a processing output signal. The determination circuit is responsive to the processing output signal to determine a diagnostic signal. A sensor circuit responsive to the sensor signal provides a sensor device signal responsive to the external field.

Abstract: A sensor device comprises a sensor connected to a first signal and responsive to an external field to produce a sensor signal, a test device connected to a second signal and electrically connected in series with the sensor by an electrical test connection providing a test signal, and a monitor circuit electrically connected to the first, second and test signals. The monitor circuit comprises a processing circuit and a determination circuit. The processing circuit is responsive to the test signal and a predetermined processing value to form a processing output signal. The determination circuit is responsive to the processing output signal to determine a diagnostic signal. A sensor circuit responsive to the sensor signal provides a sensor device signal responsive to the external field.

Abstract: A sensor device comprises a sensor arranged to sense and convert the physical quantity into an electrical quantity and to output an electrical signal representative of the electrical quantity. A voltage limiter receives an input signal related to a supply voltage providing power to the sensor device and to output a voltage signal. The voltage signal has a limited value if the input voltage exceeds a voltage saturation threshold value. A voltage-to-current converter converts the voltage signal output by the voltage limiter to a supply current of a first value, thereby forming a first supply current state. A switch switches between the first supply current state and at least a second supply current state wherein the supply current is substantially independent of the supply voltage. Current generation means provides the supply current of the predetermined second value to form the second supply current state.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a sensor for sensing amounts of a physical quantity, such as an environmental attribute, and providing sensor signals formed in response to the sensed physical quantity. A diagnostic test circuit provides multiple diagnostic test signals each representing a desired response to a particular amount of the physical quantity. A signal circuit selects the sensor signal or the diagnostic test signal and forms a signal circuit output. A reference circuit provides a calibrated reference signal corresponding to a threshold amount of the physical quantity. A comparator receives and compares the calibrated reference signal and the signal circuit output to form a comparison signal. A control circuit controls the signal circuit, reference circuit, and diagnostic test circuit and receives the comparison signal to output a sensor device sensor signal or sensor device diagnostic signal.

Abstract: A sensor circuit comprises a sensor adapted to sense a physical quantity and to produce a sensor output signal. A sensor-offset correction block is arranged to receive a signal indicative of a supply voltage applied to the sensor circuit and to generate a compensation signal based on the signal indicative of the supply voltage and on a quantity indicative of a state of the sensor circuit. A combiner is adapted to combine the sensor output signal with the compensation signal, thereby obtaining a compensated signal.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing errors in the correct operation of a sensor system. A positive signal amplifier saturation threshold value and a negative signal amplifier saturation threshold value less than the positive signal amplifier saturation threshold value are provided, and at least one signal comparator threshold value. A current value of a first amplified input signal at a first time is provided and a current value of a second amplified input signal obtained at a second time later than the first time, but in the same measurement cycle. The measured values of the first and second amplified input signal are compared to the current signal comparator threshold value. A new output state is determined via the measured first and second amplified input signals. From a previous comparison of the first and second amplified input signal a current output state is provided, from which an expected new output state is determined.

Abstract: A position sensor for determining the position of an object, comprising at least one sensing element to transduce a time-varying external signal into an electrical signal; at least one comparator circuit adapted to perform a thresholding operation on the electrical signal being characterized by a hysteresis curve; the position sensor is adapted to provide information relating to the last crossed to store it at least while the position sensor is in an inactive mode and to restore the information to obtain a selected threshold when it is switched from inactive to active mode; and configured such that a transition in an output signal is generated by the thresholding operation if the selected threshold is crossed by the electrical signal and configured to change the selected threshold after it was crossed by the electrical signal.

Abstract: A sensor device comprises a sensor connected to a first signal and responsive to an external field to produce a sensor signal, a test device connected to a second signal and electrically connected in series with the sensor by an electrical test connection providing a test signal, and a monitor circuit electrically connected to the first, second and test signals. The monitor circuit comprises a processing circuit and a determination circuit. The processing circuit is responsive to the test signal and a predetermined processing value to form a processing output signal. The determination circuit is responsive to the processing output signal to determine a diagnostic signal. A sensor circuit responsive to the sensor signal provides a sensor device signal responsive to the external field.