Abstract: A circuit for monitoring a supply voltage for an electronic device. The circuit includes a first reference voltage source, which generates a first reference voltage; a comparison device, which compares the first reference voltage with the supply voltage; a voltage regulator for regulating the supply voltage, the first reference voltage serving as a reference for the voltage regulator and the output voltage of the voltage regulator which supplies at least the comparison device a second reference voltage source, which generates a second reference voltage; and at least one comparator, which compares the output voltage of the voltage regulator with the second reference voltage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for checking the operability of a sensor element (100) for determining the concentration of gas components in a gas mixture, particularly of the concentration of gas components in the exhaust gas of internal combustion engine, having an external pump electrode (APE) and an internal pump and Nernst electrode (IPE), a measurement resistor (Rm) and a balancing resistor (Rtrim) connected parallel thereto being provided upstream of the external pump electrode (APE), and a pump current (Ip) being impressible into the external pump electrode by means of a pump current source, and a measuring voltage (Um) incident across the measuring resistor (Rm) via a measuring and analysis device (200) being detectable, characterized in that an activatable switch means (S) is disposed in series to the measuring resistor (Rm), which can be switched at a high impedance for a predetermined amount of time, during which the voltage across the measuring resistor is detected and analyzed in the measurin

Abstract: An output stage, especially a switching output stage for switching inductive loads, having a plurality of individual output stages that are connected in parallel, which include degenerative transistors, in the degenerative path of which one respective Zener diode is present. The electric power during a switching-off process can be distributed in a particularly uniform manner to the individual output stages or transistors by disposing the Zener diodes near the associated transistors so that they are thermally coupled to the respectively associated transistor and their Zener voltage increases with increasing temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for checking the operability of a sensor element (100) for determining the concentration of gas components in a gas mixture, particularly of the concentration of gas components in the exhaust gas of internal combustion engine, having an external pump electrode (APE) and an internal pump and Nernst electrode (IPE), a measurement resistor (Rm) and a balancing resistor (Rtrim) connected parallel thereto being provided upstream of the external pump electrode (APE), and a pump current (Ip) being impressible into the external pump electrode by means of a pump current source, and a measuring voltage (Um) incident across the measuring resistor (Rm) via a measuring and analysis device (200) being detectable, characterized in that an activatable switch means (S) is disposed in series to the measuring resistor (Rm), which can be switched at a high impedance for a predetermined amount of time, during which the voltage across the measuring resistor is detected and analyzed in the measurin

Abstract: An output stage, especially a switching output stage for switching inductive loads, having a plurality of individual output stages that are connected in parallel, which include degenerative transistors, in the degenerative path of which one respective Zener diode is present. The electric power during a switching-off process can be distributed in a particularly uniform manner to the individual output stages or transistors by disposing the Zener diodes near the associated transistors so that they are thermally coupled to the respectively associated transistor and their Zener voltage increases with increasing temperature.

Abstract: A method and a device for bi-directional transmission of data are provided such that an interface for digital communication on a signal line is obtained which is suited for automotive use. In accordance with the present invention, the following are provided: at least one switchable load unit, the load unit of the temporary transmitter being able to be deenergized prior to transmission of the data; and being able to be reenergized after transmission of the data; in each case at least one switchable current-source unit is assigned to the load unit, the current-source unit of the transmitter being able to be clocked to generate the signals to be transmitted via the communication path; and in each case at least one comparator unit is assigned to the load unit, corresponding output signals being generated at the comparator unit of the receiver from the signals transmitted via the communication path.

Abstract: A data transmission method and a transmission/reception device are described, the data transmission taking place via intermediate memories without the transmitter receiving direct feedback from the receiver regarding the success of the data transmission. Furthermore, at least one transmission and/or reception device is described which forms an interface between at least two control units and has intermediate memories.

Abstract: A method and a device for activating and/or deactivating distributed control units is described, the microcomputer of a central control unit delivering corresponding activation or deactivation commands to the decentralized control units over an interface module as part of a point-to-point link.

Abstract: A method and a device for bi-directional transmission of data are provided such that an interface for digital communication on a signal line is obtained which is suited for automotive use. In accordance with the present invention, the following are provided: at least one switchable load unit, the load unit of the temporary transmitter being able to be deenergized prior to transmission of the data; and being able to be reenergized after transmission of the data; in each case at least one switchable current-source unit is assigned to the load unit, the current-source unit of the transmitter being able to be clocked to generate the signals to be transmitted via the communication path; and in each case at least one comparator unit is assigned to the load unit, corresponding output signals being generated at the comparator unit of the receiver from the signals transmitted via the communication path.

Abstract: A method and a transmission and reception device for data transmission in a distributed system is described, in which a central control unit transmits data simultaneously to all decentralized control units in a broadcast mode. The preferred field of application is a decentralized system for environment sensors in a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method and a device for activating and/or deactivating distributed control units is described, the microcomputer of a central control unit delivering corresponding activation or deactivation commands to the decentralized control units over an interface module as part of a point-to-point link.

Abstract: A data transmission method and a transmission/reception device are described, the data transmission taking place via intermediate memories without the transmitter receiving direct feedback from the receiver regarding the success of the data transmission. Furthermore, at least one transmission and/or reception device is described which forms an interface between at least two control units and has intermediate memories.