Abstract: In a power supply system supplying several loads (10, 11, 12) using a joint power bus (LB) and connecting electronic control units (&mgr;C) with each other and the loads by means of a control bus (CAN) for digital information and control data, a measuring resistor (21) connected in series with the power bus measures the total current of the loads connected, measurement information is transferred on the control bus (CAN), and the differential current resulting from a switching process is evaluated by the control system. The measuring resistor (21) comprising a metal alloy is integrated with a semiconductor chip with heat conducting connection directly or via a printed circuit board (PCB), which contains the whole evaluation and transmission electronics, into a small, compact current measuring module.

Abstract: A resistor of SMD (Surface Mounted Device) construction includes a film of a resistive alloy as a resistive track on two electrically separated carrier plate elements of copper, which are constructed as contact elements solderable to the terminals of a printed circuit board to thereby ensure good heat dissipation into a printed circuit board. In order to manufacture such resistors, a resistive film sufficient for a plurality of individual resistors is adhered to but electrically isolated from a large copper plate and the laminate formed thereby is split into the individual resistors after producing the individual resistive tracks and their electrical connections to the copper plate and after producing gaps between the plate elements for each track.

Abstract: A resistor of SMD (Surface Mounted Device) construction includes a film of a resistive alloy as a resistive track on two electrically separated carrier plate elements of copper, which are constructed as contact elements solderable to the terminals of a printed circuit board to thereby ensure good heat dissipation into a printed circuit board. In order to manufacture such resistors, a resistive film sufficient for a plurality of individual resistors is adhered to but electrically isolated from a large copper plate and the laminate formed thereby is split into the individual resistors after producing the individual resistive tracks and their electrical connections to the copper plate and after producing gaps between the plate elements for each track.

Abstract: A pyroelectric or ferroelectric sensing element consists of a substrate with a thin layer of sodium nitrite. Electrodes may be applied to both sides of the sodium nitrite layer, or, alternatively, only one electrode may be used. In one embodiment, an array of electrodes is applied to one side of a continuous sodium nitrite layer, while the other side has a continuous electrode. In another embodiment, the sodium nitrite layer consists of separate portions, each interposed between one electrode of an electrode array and either the substrate or a second, continuous electrode.

Abstract: Sodium nitrite in liquid form is deposited on a substrate and allowed to crystallize thereby forming a thin layer on the substrate. The substrate is either dipped into a solution containing sodium nitrite or into sodium nitrite in the molten state and then pulled out again. Subsequent drying or cooling of the wetted substrate top surface causes the crystalline film to form. Alternatively, sodium nitrite in a liquid state is applied to the top surface of the substrate and the substrate is rotated to assure an even distribution of the sodium nitrite. Again, drying or cooling causes the crystalline layer to form. The so manufactured unit is shown as part of a pyroelectric radiation detector, as image receiver in a television camera tube and as the storage element in a field effect transistor arrangement.