Abstract: Embodiments relate to a controller operable to transmit digital data messages to a receiver via a communication link having at least a first and a second transmission path, the controller comprising a first signal terminal the first transmission path and a second signal terminal for the second transmission path. The first signal terminal is operable to digitally transmit a first message to the receiver according to a first transmission technique and the second signal terminal is being operable to digitally transmit a second message to the receiver according to a second, different transmission technique.

Abstract: A detector for detecting an occurrence of a current strength of interest (e.g. zero current) of a current of a signal to be sensed includes a magnetoresistive structure and a detection unit. The magnetoresistive structure varies a resistance depending on a magnetic field caused by the current of the signal to be sensed. Further, the detection unit generates and provides a current detection signal indicating an occurrence of the current strength of interest based on a detected magnitude of the varying resistance of the magnetoresistive structure.

Abstract: An ECU may include a PCB, a processor, and a sensor interface component. The sensor interface component and the processor may be disposed on the PCB. The sensor interface component may obtain, from a sensor, a plurality of data samples corresponding to a physical parameter relating to a vehicle component, and generate estimation data based on the plurality of data samples. The estimation data may at least partially compensate for a delay, from a point in time at which a particular data sample is detected by the sensor to a point in time at which the particular data sample is obtained by the sensor interface component, to approximate a current value of the physical parameter. The sensor interface component may receive one or more commands for physical parameter information, relating to the vehicle component, and provide a portion of the estimation data based on the one or more commands.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a controller operable to transmit digital data messages to a receiver via a communication link having at least a first and a second transmission path, the controller comprising a first signal terminal the first transmission path and a second signal terminal for the second transmission path. The first signal terminal is operable to digitally transmit a first message to the receiver according to a first transmission technique and the second signal terminal is being operable to digitally transmit a second message to the receiver according to a second, different transmission technique.

Abstract: Fault detection devices, systems, and methods are provided which implement identical processors. A first processor is configured to receive a first measurement, execute a first firmware based on the first measurement, and output a first result of the executed first firmware. A second processor is configured to receive a second measurement, execute a second firmware based on the second measurement, and output a second result of the executed second firmware. The first firmware and the second firmware provide a same nominal function in a diverse manner for calculating the first result and the second result, respectively, such that the first result and the second result are expected to be within a predetermined margin.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to magnetoresistive sensors suitable for both angle and field strength sensing. In an embodiment, a sensor comprises two different magnetoresistive (xMR) sensor components for sensing two different aspects or characteristics of a magnetic field. In an embodiment, the first xMR sensor component is configured for magnetic field angle or rotation sensing, while the second xMR sensor component is configured for magnetic field strength sensing. In an embodiment, the second xMR sensor component is configured for magnetic field strength sensing in two dimensions. The second xMR sensor therefore can determine, in embodiment, whether the field sensed with respect to angle or rotation by the first xMR sensor component is of sufficient strength or meets a minimum magnitude threshold. If the minimum threshold is not met, an alarm or alert can be provided.

Abstract: A rotation angle sensing device is suggested, which comprises: a shaft that is rotatable around a rotation axis; a magnetic field source that is attached to the shaft; and at least one angle sensor that is arranged at an out-of-shaft location adjacent to the magnetic field source, wherein the angle sensor comprises a plane for measuring two components of a magnetic field emitted by the magnetic field source, and wherein the plane is tilted against an axis, which axis is the rotation axis of the shaft. Also, a corresponding method for sensing a rotational angle of a shaft is provided.

Abstract: A magnetic angle sensor device and a method for operating such device is provided. The magnetic angle sensor device includes a shaft rotatable around a rotation axis; a magnetic arrangement coupled to the shaft, where the magnetic arrangement produces a differential magnetic field comprising a plurality of diametric magnetic fields; a first magnetic angle sensor provided in the differential magnetic field and configured to generate a first signal that represents a first angle based on a first diametric magnetic field of the differential magnetic field; a second magnetic angle sensor provided in the differential magnetic field and configured to generate a second signal that represents a second angle based on a second diametric magnetic field of the differential magnetic field; and a combining circuit configured to determine a combined rotation angle based on the first signal and on the second signal.

Abstract: A magnetic angle sensor device and a method for operating such device is provided. The magnetic angle sensor device includes a shaft rotatable around a rotation axis; a magnetic field source coupled to the shaft; a first magnetic angle sensor configured to generate a first signal that represents a first angle based on a first diametric magnetic field from the magnetic field source applied to the first magnetic angle sensor; a second magnetic angle sensor configured to generate a second signal that represents a second angle based on a second diametric magnetic field from the magnetic field source applied to the second magnetic angle sensor; and a combining circuit configured to determine a combined rotation angle based on the first signal and on the second signal.

Abstract: A method for determining information on an integrity of signal processing components within a signal path includes adding an alive signal to a signal at a first position within the signal path and detecting an added alive signal corresponding to the alive signal at a second position within the signal path. Further, the method includes determining the information on the integrity based on the detected signal.

Abstract: Fault detection devices, systems and methods are provided which implement identical processors. A first processor is configured to receive a first set of variables, execute a first firmware based on the first set of variables, and output a first result of the executed first firmware. A second processor, identical to the first processor, is configured to receive a second set of variables, execute a second firmware based on the second set of variables, and output a second result of the executed second firmware. The first firmware and the second firmware provide a same nominal function in a diverse manner for calculating the first result and the second result, respectively, such that the first result and the second result are expected to be within a predetermined margin. Thus, a fault can be detected by comparing the first and the second results.

Abstract: A magnetic angle sensor device and a method for operating such device is provided. The magnetic angle sensor device includes a shaft rotatable around a rotation axis; a magnetic arrangement coupled to the shaft, where the magnetic arrangement produces a differential magnetic field comprising a plurality of diametric magnetic fields; a first magnetic angle sensor provided in the differential magnetic field and configured to generate a first signal that represents a first angle based on a first diametric magnetic field of the differential magnetic field; a second magnetic angle sensor provided in the differential magnetic field and configured to generate a second signal that represents a second angle based on a second diametric magnetic field of the differential magnetic field; and a combining circuit configured to determine a combined rotation angle based on the first signal and on the second signal.

Abstract: A magnetic angle sensor device and a method for operating such device is provided. The magnetic angle sensor device includes a shaft rotatable around a rotation axis; a magnetic field source coupled to the shaft; a first magnetic angle sensor configured to generate a first signal that represents a first angle based on a first diametric magnetic field from the magnetic field source applied to the first magnetic angle sensor; a second magnetic angle sensor configured to generate a second signal that represents a second angle based on a second diametric magnetic field from the magnetic field source applied to the second magnetic angle sensor; and a combining circuit configured to determine a combined rotation angle based on the first signal and on the second signal.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for sensor self-diagnostics using multiple signal paths. In an embodiment, the sensors are magnetic field sensors, and the systems and/or methods are configured to meet or exceed relevant safety or other industry standards, such as SIL standards. For example, a monolithic integrated circuit sensor system implemented on a single semiconductor ship can include a first sensor device having a first signal path for a first sensor signal on a semiconductor chip; and a second sensor device having a second signal path for a second sensor signal on the semiconductor chip, the second signal path distinct from the first signal path, wherein a comparison of the first signal path signal and the second signal path signal provides a sensor system self-test.

Abstract: An XMR angle sensor arrangement with a safety mechanism comprises an XMR angle sensor having a sensing area for sensing an in-plane magnetic field and for outputting a sensor signal based on the in-plane magnetic field component sensed in the sensing area; a permanent magnet, which is rotatably arranged with respect to the XMR angle sensor to generate a first in-plane magnetic field component in the sensing area of the XMR angle sensor; an excitation current rail path, which is arranged proximate to the sensing area of the XMR angle sensor; and an excitation current provider configured to provide the excitation current rail path with an excitation signal having a excitation signal strength, wherein the excitation signal strength of the excitation signal is chosen to generate a second in-plane magnetic field component in the sensing area of the XMR angle sensor which results, due to a super position of the first and second in-plane magnetic field components, in an expected change of the direction of the result

Abstract: An ECU may include a PCB, a processor, and a sensor interface component. The sensor interface component and the processor may be disposed on the PCB. The sensor interface component may obtain, from a sensor, a plurality of data samples corresponding to a physical parameter relating to a vehicle component, and generate estimation data based on the plurality of data samples. The estimation data may at least partially compensate for a delay, from a point in time at which a particular data sample is detected by the sensor to a point in time at which the particular data sample is obtained by the sensor interface component, to approximate a current value of the physical parameter. The sensor interface component may receive one or more commands for physical parameter information, relating to the vehicle component, and provide a portion of the estimation data based on the one or more commands.

Abstract: A magnetic angle sensor device and a method for operating such device is provided. The magnetic angle sensor device includes a shaft rotatable around a rotation axis; a magnetic arrangement coupled to the shaft, where the magnetic arrangement produces a differential magnetic field comprising a plurality of diametric magnetic fields; a first magnetic angle sensor provided in the differential magnetic field and configured to generate a first signal that represents a first angle based on a first diametric magnetic field of the differential magnetic field; a second magnetic angle sensor provided in the differential magnetic field and configured to generate a second signal that represents a second angle based on a second diametric magnetic field of the differential magnetic field; and a combining circuit configured to determine a combined rotation angle based on the first signal and on the second signal.

Abstract: A detector for detecting an occurrence of a current strength of interest (e.g. zero current) of a current of a signal to be sensed includes a magnetoresistive structure and a detection unit. The magnetoresistive structure varies a resistance depending on a magnetic field caused by the current of the signal to be sensed. Further, the detection unit generates and provides a current detection signal indicating an occurrence of the current strength of interest based on a detected magnitude of the varying resistance of the magnetoresistive structure.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a controller operable to transmit digital data messages to a receiver via a communication link having at least a first and a second transmission path, the controller comprising a first signal terminal the first transmission path and a second signal terminal for the second transmission path. The first signal terminal is operable to digitally transmit a first message to the receiver according to a first transmission technique and the second signal terminal is being operable to digitally transmit a second message to the receiver according to a second, different transmission technique.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package having a first die configured to sense a first physical characteristic and provide a first data signal, and a second die, wherein the first die is configured to transmit the first data signal to the second die, and the second die is configured to determine if there is an error in the first die and transmit the result to a controller.