Abstract: A method of measuring temperature based upon a system of equations applying Stefan-Boltzmann's law and using a measurement value for an object to be measured and an ambient temperature value (Ta) comprises: pre-calculating (200, 202) a first vector (LUT1) and a second vector (LUT2). The first vector (LUT1) is a series of values proportional to received power based upon respective temperature values and in respect of a predetermined generic range of temperatures. The second vector (LUT2) is a series of sensitivity characteristic factor values based upon expected measured temperature values and in respect of a predetermined range of expected object measured temperatures. The first vector (LUT1) and the second vector (LUT2) are used (206) to generate a temporary vector (LUTT) of a series of values limited to the ambient temperature value to solve the system of equations in respect of the measurement value for the object, thereby determining (208) a temperature (To) for the object from the measurement value.

Abstract: A circuit for determining and/or compensating for a measurement error of a sheathed sensor due to a property of a sheath of that sheathed sensor comprises a first and a second terminal for connecting to a pair of sensor signal leads of a sensor element in a sheathed sensor and a voltage measurement circuit. A switching unit controls switching an electrical connection between a first and a second state. A correction measurement circuit generates a correction signal indicative of that a measured current running from the first terminal through the switching unit. A controller receives the measurement and correction signal in both the first and second state, and calculates an error value indicative of the measurement error and/or a sensor readout value that is corrected for the measurement error by taking the measurement and correction signal into account as obtained in both the first and second state.

Abstract: A method and a circuit for measuring an absolute voltage signal, such that the circuit comprises: an A/D convertor, and a controller adapted for: a) obtaining a first digital reference value for a first reference signal having a positive temperature coefficient; b) obtaining a second digital reference value for a second reference signal having a negative temperature coefficient; c) obtaining a raw digital signal value for the signal to be measured, while applying a same reference voltage for step a) to c); and d) calculating the absolute voltage value in the digital domain using a mathematical function of the first and second digital reference value, and the raw digital signal value.

Abstract: A method of measuring temperature based upon a system of equations applying Stefan-Boltzmann's law and using a measurement value for an object to be measured and an ambient temperature value (Ta) comprises: pre-calculating (200, 202) a first vector (LUT1) and a second vector (LUT2). The first vector (LUT1) is a series of values proportional to received power based upon respective temperature values and in respect of a predetermined generic range of temperatures. The second vector (LUT2) is a series of sensitivity characteristic factor values based upon expected measured temperature values and in respect of a predetermined range of expected object measured temperatures. The first vector (LUT1) and the second vector (LUT2) are used (206) to generate a temporary vector (LUTT) of a series of values limited to the ambient temperature value to solve the system of equations in respect of the measurement value for the object, thereby determining (208) a temperature (To) for the object from the measurement value.

Abstract: A method and a circuit for measuring an absolute voltage signal, such that the circuit comprises: an A/D convertor, and a controller adapted for: a) obtaining a first digital reference value for a first reference signal having a positive temperature coefficient; b) obtaining a second digital reference value for a second reference signal having a negative temperature coefficient; c) obtaining a raw digital signal value for the signal to be measured, while applying a same reference voltage for step a) to c); and d) calculating the absolute voltage value in the digital domain using a mathematical function of the first and second digital reference value, and the raw digital signal value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated circuit device comprising an output port for transmitting a data stream and a processor for controlling the transmission of the data stream in accordance with a single-edge nibble transmission protocol. The device also comprises a configuration means for receiving and storing configuration data. The processor is adapted for reporting a plurality of diagnostic statuses via the data stream by transmitting for each diagnostic status a corresponding diagnostic code defined by the configuration data, and wherein the processor is furthermore adapted for reporting the plurality of diagnostic statuses in a diagnostic status reporting order defined by the configuration data.

Abstract: A circuit for determining and/or compensating for a measurement error of a sheathed sensor due to a property of a sheath of that sheathed sensor comprises a first and a second terminal for connecting to a pair of sensor signal leads of a sensor element in a sheathed sensor and a voltage measurement circuit. A switching unit controls switching an electrical connection between a first and a second state. A correction measurement circuit generates a correction signal indicative of that a measured current running from the first terminal through the switching unit. A controller receives the measurement and correction signal in both the first and second state, and calculates an error value indicative of the measurement error and/or a sensor readout value that is corrected for the measurement error by taking the measurement and correction signal into account as obtained in both the first and second state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated circuit device comprising an output port for transmitting a data stream and a processor for controlling the transmission of the data stream in accordance with a single-edge nibble transmission protocol. The device also comprises a configuration means for receiving and storing configuration data. The processor is adapted for reporting a plurality of diagnostic statuses via the data stream by transmitting for each diagnostic status a corresponding diagnostic code defined by the configuration data, and wherein the processor is furthermore adapted for reporting the plurality of diagnostic statuses in a diagnostic status reporting order defined by the configuration data.

Abstract: An infrared sensor for temperature sensing comprises a cap covering a substrate; an IR-radiation filtering window in the cap transparent to IR radiation; a first sensing element comprising a set of N thermocouples on the substrate covered by the cap, whose hot junctions may receive radiation; a second sensing element comprising a set of N thermocouples on the substrate covered by the cap whose hot junctions may not receive radiation; first connection modules for connecting a number N1 of thermocouples of the first sensing element, second connection modules for connecting a number N2 of thermocouples of the second sensing; connecting means for connecting an output of the first connection modules of the first sensing element with an output of the second connection modules of the second sensing element, and an output of the combined outputs of the sensing elements.

Abstract: An infrared sensor for temperature sensing comprises a cap covering a substrate; an IR-radiation filtering window in the cap transparent to IR radiation; a first sensing element comprising a set of N thermocouples on the substrate covered by the cap, whose hot junctions may receive radiation; a second sensing element comprising a set of N thermocouples on the substrate covered by the cap whose hot junctions may not receive radiation; first connection modules for connecting a number N1 of thermocouples of the first sensing element, second connection modules for connecting a number N2 of thermocouples of the second sensing; connecting means for connecting an output of the first connection modules of the first sensing element with an output of the second connection modules of the second sensing element, and an output of the combined outputs of the sensing elements.

Abstract: An infrared sensor for temperature sensing comprises a cap covering a substrate; an IR-radiation filtering window in the cap transparent to IR radiation; a first sensing element comprising a set of N thermocouples on the substrate covered by the cap, whose hot junctions may receive radiation; a second sensing element comprising a set of N thermocouples on the substrate covered by the cap whose hot junctions may not receive radiation; first connection modules for connecting a number N1 of thermocouples of the first sensing element, second connection modules for connecting a number N2 of thermocouples of the second sensing; connecting means for connecting an output of the first connection modules of the first sensing element with an output of the second connection modules of the second sensing element, and an output of the combined outputs of the sensing elements.

Abstract: A sensing device in the form of a sensing array includes sensing elements on a first integrated circuit and means for processing the signals on a second integrated circuit. The output of the sensing elements is sampled, modulated on to a carrier signal and transferred from the first to second integrated circuits wherein it is demodulated and passed to a processing means.