VEHICLE SENSOR ARRANGEMENT.

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle sensor array (1) comprising a control device (2), a plurality of sensors (3), wherein each sensor (3) has an individual sensor identifier, a data bus (4) connecting each sensor (3) to the control device (2), and a power supply line (5) connecting each sensor (3) for voltage supply to the control device (2), wherein each sensor (3) has a shunt resistor (31), wherein all shunt resistors (31) are integrated into the power supply line (5) in series, wherein each sensor (3) is configured to detect a voltage drop across its respective shunt resistor (31), and wherein the control device (2) is configured to actuate each sensor (3) by means of the individual sensor identifier, and assign a geographical address (3) to each sensor (3) based on the voltage drops detected along the power supply line (5).

Description

SENSOR ARRANGEMENT OF A VEHICLE qlj Lnn / pznz / e / Yi / u FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a vehicle sensor array, as well as to a method for addressing sensors in a sensor array. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Sensor arrays for vehicle assistance systems, such as parking assistance systems, are known to comprise a plurality of typically identical ultrasonic sensors. Before the initial commissioning of the assistance system or when replacing individual sensors, correct sensor addressing is necessary to assign each sensor's data to the correct physical position relative to the other sensors. This usually requires expensive hardware and / or a complex calibration process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The sensor array according to the invention with the features of claim 1 is further characterized in that sensor addressing is particularly simple and can be achieved with simple and inexpensive hardware. This is accomplished by a sensor array comprising a control device, a plurality of sensors, a data bus connecting each sensor to the control device for data transmission, and a power line connecting each sensor to the control device for supplying voltage. Preferably, the voltage supply to the sensors is understood to be such that an electrical power source is integrated into the control device to provide the voltage supply to the sensors.Alternatively, a separate power source, such as a vehicle battery, can be used to supply voltage to the sensors. For example, with such a separate power source, the sensors can be supplied via the control device, which is specifically configured to interrupt the power supply and connect to the sensors. Preferably, all sensors are connected in parallel to the control device via the data bus. Each sensor thus has an individual identifier, such as a serial number, which can be read by the control device. Each sensor has a shunt resistor. All the sensor shunt resistors are connected in series in the power line, i.e., they are connected together in series (qi / Lnn / Pznz / e / Yi / u). Each sensor is configured to detect a voltage drop across its respective shunt resistor. The control device is configured to actuate each sensor individually, using its unique identifier. Preferably, the control device actuates all the sensors sequentially or alternately. Furthermore, the control device is configured to assign each sensor a unique geographic address based on the voltage drops detected by the sensors along the power line.For the purposes of this document, a geographic address is defined as an address by which the control device can recognize a sequence of sensors on the data bus. Preferably, the control device is configured to determine a temporal sequence and / or a number of voltage drops detected across the shunt resistors, and based on this, assign geographic addresses to the sensors. For the purposes of this document, a voltage drop is defined as an increase or change in voltage caused by a predetermined activation of at least one sensor across the shunt resistor. That is, a constant voltage caused, for example, by a steady current and / or a voltage shift across the shunt resistor is not considered a voltage drop. In other words, each sensor has a shunt resistor, through which it can be detected whether a current is flowing through the respective sensor. Because the shunt resistors are arranged in series, the current flows through all the sensors arranged on the data bus—that is, closer to the control device—and their shunt resistors when a particular sensor is activated. Therefore, a voltage drop can be recorded across each of these shunt resistors arranged between the activated sensor and the control device. Preferably, a voltage drop can also be recorded at the activated sensor itself, depending on its configuration, or alternatively, no voltage drop can be recorded at that sensor. Therefore, the position of the activated sensor on the data bus can be easily determined from the number of voltage drops. Consequently, different sensors can be distinguished from one another by detecting the voltage drops across the shunt resistors. In particular, this allows for the determination of the sensor sequence. Based on this information, an individual geographic address can be assigned to each sensor, so that the data generated by the sensor can be clearly attributed to a specific location. These geographic addresses can be centrally assigned by the control device. Alternatively, or additionally, each sensor can be assigned a geographic address, either to itself or to all sensors. Therefore, the sensor device can clearly assign the sensor data, transmitted from a specific sensor via the data bus, to a predefined location on the data bus. Preferably, the control device—for example, if the sensor array is part of a parking assist system—can thus recognize which sensor is positioned on the vehicle's bumper trim. This allows, for instance, the determination of the direction of an obstacle detected in the vehicle's vicinity. For example, the control device can then be used to control a display with lateral resolution for visual indication of the obstacle's location. In particular, it is assumed that a data bus topology is known. In other words, the sensor array has several sensor arrays, in each of which a single sensor is arranged along a specific direction of the data bus, with the sensor receptacles arranged in predefined / previously known positions relative to each other. Preferably, within the sensors themselves, for example, on each sensor's circuit board, the sensor components are supplied with voltage substantially in parallel with the control device's supply voltage. That is, the sensor components' voltage supply can be branched off, for example, within the sensor from the supply line connected via shunt resistors. This sensor arrangement offers the advantage that, with clear geographical assignment of addresses to the sensors, it allows for a substantially parallel supply voltage to the sensor components of all sensors with respect to the control device's supply voltage. This configuration ensures that all sensor components receive an optimal voltage supply.In particular, the internal resistances of the sensors or sensor components therefore have little or no influence on the voltage supplied to the sensor components. This allows almost any number of sensors on the data bus to be daisy-chained together. Preferably, the power line and data bus can be provided as separate cables. Alternatively, the power line and data bus can be combined into a common cable, which is preferably routed to a single pin on the sensor. The data bus can preferably have a single data line, to which each sensor is connected. Alternatively, the data bus can also have two or more data lines, where each sensor is connected to a separate data line. The sensors are preferably configured identically, i.e., structurally similar, however, where each sensor has an individual sensor identifier, such as, for example, an individual serial number. By connecting the sensors to the control device via a data bus, and consequently with a significantly reduced hardware effort—not least because separate wiring of each sensor to the control device via a separate line is not required—each sensor can communicate selectively with the control device. Another advantage of this is that it allows for the easy interchange of structurally similar sensors, where the replaced sensor can be automatically and easily controlled. The secondary claims have preferred embodiments of the invention as their content. Preferably, after activation by the control device, the sensor generates a current signal in the power line, which has a specific frequency signature. That is, when activated by the control device, each sensor generates a current signal with a specific frequency signature, preferably individual, in the power line, allowing the sensors to be distinguished from one another. Preferably, a voltage tap is made for the sensor component power supply of each sensor on the power line before or after the respective shunt resistor. A voltage tap before the shunt resistor prevents the sensor component's own power supply from being involved in measuring the voltage drop across the shunt resistor, allowing the voltage drops across the shunt resistors to be detected or estimated using particularly simple means. Alternatively, the sensor component power supply can also be diverted after the shunt resistor. Preferably, the shunt resistor is a metal film resistor or a copper strip conductor. Preferably, a copper strip conductor can be part of a sensor's printed circuit board. Consequently, the shunt resistor can be provided in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner. Alternatively, the shunt resistor can also be configured as at least one bonding wire or may comprise a bonding wire. In this case, the following two possibilities exist, among others, for implementing the shunt resistor by means of a corresponding ASIC connection of the respective sensor components.The first option is that the power supply line connects from a contact point on the ASIC's lead frame, called a pin, to the silicon pad via a jumper wire. From there, in the case of an ultrasonic sensor, the ASIC power supply can continue from qi / Lnn / Pznz / e / Yi / u in the corresponding manner. A low-impedance connection, which can also be configured as a jumper wire, is then established from this pad to the adjacent pad. From this adjacent pad, a connection is again made to the lead frame via a corresponding jumper wire. The sum of the resistance values ​​of the jumper wires and, if applicable, the resistance value of the connection between the silicon pads represents the actual shunt resistance. The second option is that the power supply line connects via a jumper wire from the lead frame to the silicon pad.The lead frame contact point (PIN) is also connected to the lead frame contact point of the adjacent pin, where this bonding connection represents the shunt resistor in this second option. Depending on the required resistance value and current-carrying capacity, a shunt resistor design may also contain double or triple bonds. Furthermore, the material and thickness of the respective bonding wire can be adapted according to the requirements. The advantage of a corresponding shunt resistor design using at least one bonding wire is that the cost of such a shunt resistor is significantly lower than that of a conventional shunt resistor. The fact that a correspondingly configured shunt resistor can be used is due to the fact that the resistance tolerance requirement of approximately 50%, as well as the maximum current-carrying capacity of less than 2 A, which is particularly relevant for ultrasound applications, can be further maintained by means of one of these bonding wire shunt resistors. Preferably, the shunt resistor has an electrical resistance of no more than 0.1 Ω, preferably no more than 0.01 Ω, and in particular at least 0.001 Ω. Therefore, it is preferably a low-impedance resistor. Consequently, the lowest possible electrical power consumption is ensured due to the shunt resistors, i.e., for determining the sensor positions on the data bus. Preferably, each sensor has a differential amplifier, which determines the voltage drop across the respective shunt resistor. Preferably, the differential amplifier is configured to amplify the voltage drop across the shunt resistor, thereby enabling particularly accurate and reliable detection of voltage drops. Preferably, each sensor further comprises a filter configured to filter an output signal generated by the respective differential amplifier. In particular, the filter is a bandpass filter or an opto-filter. Preferably, the filter can be configured to filter the differential amplifier's output signal by means of DC voltage coupling and / or AC voltage coupling. DC voltage coupling is understood to mean the detection of all signal components of the differential amplifier's input signal. This results in a particularly simple and cost-effective sensor array structure. Unambiguous detection of current flow in the corresponding shunt resistor can preferably be achieved by comparing the corresponding voltage drop to a predefined threshold voltage value.AC voltage coupling refers to the detection of only a portion of the AC voltage component of the differential amplifier's input signal. Consequently, a particularly robust determination of voltage drops with a low tendency to develop faults can be performed, allowing for the clear identification of the origin of specific sensors. In particular, when a current pulse with a specific frequency signature is generated during the operation of a particular sensor, this frequency signature can be determined in the detected voltage drop using the AC voltage coupling filter. This allows for the precise identification of a specific sensor origin, as, for example, a steady-state current or a voltage shift in the power supply line is filtered out. Preferably, the ground line and / or data bus are routed through each sensor, preferably via one input pin and one output pin per sensor. Specifically, the ground line and / or data bus are thus subdivided into several individual sections. Preferably, the data bus is routed through the sensors in such a way that data exchange occurs as in a parallel sensor circuit. That is, within the sensors, for example, on each sensor's printed circuit board, data exchange takes place in parallel with the control device. Consequently, all sensor interfaces can be connected via pins, eliminating the need for additional connecting lines and splices to the ground line and / or data bus.Therefore, depending on the design of the sensor array, this can result in cost advantages. Preferably, the control device has non-volatile memory. Alternatively, or additionally, each sensor has non-volatile memory. The assigned geographic addresses can be stored in one of these non-volatile memories, so the assignment procedure only needs to be performed once, as the geographic addresses can be read from the non-volatile memory subsequently. Alternatively, the control device and / or all sensors can be configured without memory. Consequently, a particularly cost-effective array of qi / Lnn / óznz / e / YiAi sensors can be provided. In this case, addressing is required before each operation of the sensor array. However, due to the special construction of the sensor array, particularly fast and resource-efficient addressing can be performed. Preferably, the sensors are ultrasonic sensors. The sensor array is therefore, in particular, an ultrasonic system, which can be used for distance detection. For example, the sensor array can be used for distance detection in a parking assist system or another driver assistance system. Preferably, the ultrasonic sensors are mounted in fixed positions on a part of the vehicle body. In particular, in this case, the ultrasonic sensors are mounted on a vehicle bumper, where preferably at least 2 and at most 12 ultrasonic sensors are provided per bumper. Furthermore, the invention leads to a method for addressing sensors in a sensor array. Preferably, the sensor array is the sensor array described above. The sensor array comprises a control device, a plurality of sensors (each with an individual sensor identifier), a data bus connecting each sensor to the control device, and a power supply line connecting each sensor to the control device. Each sensor has a shunt resistor. All the shunt resistors of the plurality of sensors are connected in series on the power supply line. The method comprises the following steps per sensor: - Sensor identifier identification, - Sensor activation based on the sensor identifier, - determination of voltage drops across the shunt resistors of all sensors, and - Assignment of an individual geographic address to the activated sensor based on the determined position. The position of the actuated sensor is determined in this case based on the voltage drops detected along the power supply line. Preferably, the position of the actuated sensor is determined based on a temporal sequence and / or number of voltage drops detected along the power supply line. By detecting the voltage drops across the shunt resistors, it is very easy to determine how the sensors are arranged relative to each other, that is, in what sequence they are connected. Because the shunt resistors are arranged in series, the current flows during the actuation of a given sensor through all the shunt resistors arranged on the data bus, that is, closer to the control device. Therefore, a voltage drop can be recorded across each of these shunt resistors.Therefore, the position of the actuated sensor on the data bus can be easily determined from the number of voltage drops. This method thus allows for a particularly simple sensor addressing solution, which can be automated in the case of a particularly cost-effective sensor array design optimized for low electrical losses. Preferably, the method for addressing the sensors is performed exactly once, particularly in the case of an initial commissioning of the sensor array. Alternatively, the method can be carried out on each commissioning of the sensor array. Preferably, all sensors are activated sequentially. After each sensor has been activated, a sequence is determined on the data bus based on a decreasing number of voltage drops detected by each sensor. Based on this sequence, individual geometric addresses can be assigned to each sensor. In this case, each sensor is activated exactly once. Alternatively, all sensors can be activated multiple times, but in each instance, all sensors are activated with the same frequency. In other words, the sensors are ranked according to the decreasing number of voltage drops detected by each sensor from the control device.In other words, the sensor with the largest detected voltage drop across its shunt resistor is located first on the data bus, starting from the control device. Consequently, the sensor with the smallest recorded voltage drop is located at the end of the data bus. Therefore, the sequence of the sensors on the data bus can be determined particularly easily and with minimal computational effort, allowing for the clear assignment of geographical addresses. Preferably, each sensor is actuated separately, and during each actuation of an individual sensor, a total number of voltage drops across all sensors is determined. The position of each individually actuated sensor is determined relative to the other sensors based on the total number of voltage drops detected across all sensors. That is, based on the total number of voltage drops detected during the actuation of an individual sensor, the number of sensors on the data bus between the actuated sensor and the control device can be determined. For example, if the voltage supply to the sensor components of the actuated sensor is diverted before its shunt resistor, the detected number of voltage drops qi / Lnn / Pznz / e / Yi / u corresponds to the number of sensors arranged as described above.This method also allows for the particularly simple determination of each sensor's position on the data bus with minimal computational effort. Geographic address assignment can occur either immediately after determining the position of the actuated sensor or after determining the positions of all sensors. Alternatively, each sensor is preferably activated at the same time, specifically simultaneously. After each sensor is activated simultaneously, the voltage drop across each sensor is measured. This determines the total voltage drop measured at each sensor in the chain. The position of the activated sensor relative to the other sensors is then determined based on this voltage drop. The sensor closest along the data bus determines the highest total voltage drop, as it detects the voltage drops of all the sensors behind it in the row. Conversely, the sensor furthest along the data bus determines the lowest total voltage drop.The sequence of sensors on the data bus is determined based on the decreasing voltage drops across each sensor. The advantage of the simultaneous method is faster processing compared to the sequential method and independence from the number of sensors on the bus. In this simultaneous method, each sensor is preferably configured to measure the voltage drop with sufficient accuracy and then transmit it to the control device. Preferably, the voltage drops are amplified across the shunt resistors in each case by means of a differential amplifier per sensor. An output signal generated by the differential amplifier is filtered in each case by means of a filter per sensor. Based on the filtered output signal, a voltage drop across the shunt resistor is determined. Preferably, the output signal of the differential amplifier is filtered by means of a bandpass filter or an optimal filter. Based on the determined voltage drop across the shunt resistor, a detected activation of the corresponding sensor can preferably be verified.Preferably, by selecting filter parameters according to the frequency signature of a drive signal provided by the control device, which actuates the sensor, it can be clearly determined whether a genuine, directed drive exists or whether an interference signal or similar has been detected. This allows for particularly high robustness in the sensor addressing method. Preferably, each sensor is assigned a logical address qi / Lnn / óznz / e / Yi / u based on its sensor identifier before activation. In this case, the sensor is activated via its logical address. By assigning logical addresses to the sensors, the control device can easily differentiate between them and control them directly and independently. Preferably, each assigned geographic address is stored in the non-volatile memory of the respective sensor and / or in the non-volatile memory of the control device. For example, this only requires a single addressing of the sensors. In the event of a sensor array reset, the geographic addresses can simply be read from the non-volatile memories by the control device, thus eliminating the need to re-address the sensors. Preferably, recognition can be based on an unknown and / or modified individual sensor identifier when one of the sensors has been replaced, for example, during repair. In response to one of these identifications, a new assignment of a geometric address can preferably be initiated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The invention is described below based on exemplary embodiments with reference to the FIGURES. In the FIGURES, functionally equivalent parts are marked in each case with the same reference symbols. Accordingly, the following is shown: FIGURE 1 is a simplified schematic view of a sensor array according to a first embodiment of the invention, FIGURE 2 is a simplified schematic view of the sensor array of FIGURE 1 in a state mounted on a vehicle cladding part, and FIGURE 3 is a simplified schematic view of a sensor arrangement according to a second embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the invention Figure 1 shows a simplified schematic view of a vehicle sensor array 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The sensor array 1 comprises a control device 2 and a plurality of sensors 3. For example, the sensor array 1, as shown in the Figures, may comprise three sensors 3. Alternatively, any number of sensors 3 is possible, preferably two, four, or six. The sensors 3 are identical in construction, i.e., structurally similar, but have individual serial numbers that differ. The sensors 3 are ultrasonic sensors which, by emitting and receiving ultrasonic signals, enable the identification of objects in the vehicle's immediate surroundings. The sensor array 1, as schematically represented in simplified form qi / Lnn / óznz / e / YiAi in FIGURE 2, can be mounted on a vehicle cladding part 100 (not shown). The sensors 3 are arranged accordingly in predefined positions on the cladding part 100. In order to spatially map the sensor data generated by the sensors 3—that is, to differentiate, for example, whether certain sensor data was generated by the left sensor 3 in the direction of travel A or by the right sensor 3—geographic mapping of each sensor 3 is required before the implementation of environmental detection by means of the sensor array 1. The constructive structure of the sensor array 1 as well as the implementation of the addressing of sensors 3 are described below. The sensor array 1 comprises a power supply line 5, a ground line 50 and a data bus 4, which has two parallel data lines 41,42. The ground line 50 and the two data lines 41, 42 are each configured as a single line, connecting the sensors 3 to the control device 2. For connection to sensor 3, a short connecting element 45, 57 is provided per line. Additionally, each sensor 3 has output pins 43, 56 for connection to these connecting elements 45, 57. The power line 5 is divided into several power line segments 59, which connect the control device 2 to the first sensor 3, as well as to the sensors 3 arranged one after the other. The power line segments 59 are connected to each sensor 3 by means of an input pin 52 or an output pin 53. By using individual sensor identifiers, control device 2 can differentiate between sensors 3. In this regard, control device 2 can assign each sensor 3 a logical address based on its individual sensor identifier, enabling it to control and differentiate the sensors 3 separately. Each sensor 3 has a shunt resistor 31. The shunt resistors 31 of all sensor 3 are integrated into the circuit in series on the power line 5. Therefore, the wiring with respect to the shunt resistors 31 can be considered as a daisy chain. The shunt resistors 31 are configured with low impedance, in particular with an electrical resistance of a maximum of 0.1 Ω, such that only a small electrical power drops across the shunt resistors 31. Furthermore, each sensor 3 has sensor components 35, which are configured, for example, to generate and receive ultrasound signals. The voltage supply to the sensor components 35 is provided in this case by means of a voltage tap before the respective shunt resistor 31 of sensor 3. Because the shunt resistors 31 are of low impedance, the sensor components 35 can be considered essentially as connected in parallel with respect to the voltage supply via the control device 2. In this regard, each sensor 3 is configured to detect a voltage drop across its shunt resistor 31. One such voltage drop can be detected when a current flows through the corresponding shunt resistor 31. This occurs when one of the following sensors 3, in the row along data bus 4, is activated. The detection and analysis of the voltage drop across the shunt resistor 31 is carried out using a differential amplifier and a filter. The differential amplifier and filter are part of the sensor components 35 and are not shown separately in the figures. The differential amplifier is configured to amplify the voltage drop across the shunt resistor 31. The filter is further configured to filter the output signal of the differential amplifier using either a bandpass filter or an opto-filter. Consequently, frequencies in the voltage drop across the shunt resistor 31 can be determined, allowing for reliable identification of current flow through the corresponding sensor 3 with higher interference immunity. The geographical addressing of sensors 3 can be carried out in this case based on a detection of voltage drops along the power line 5, as described below. Initially, all sensors 3 are activated via control device 2. Each sensor 3 is activated sequentially, one after the other. The activation process is such that each sensor 3 emits an ultrasonic signal. To achieve this, each sensor is activated with a current pulse of a predetermined frequency signature. Simultaneously, during the activation of any sensor 3, all sensors 3 detect a voltage drop across their shunt resistor 31. By analyzing the voltage drop across shunt resistor 31, optimized by the differential amplifier and filter, it is possible to unambiguously determine whether the corresponding sensor 3 has been selectively activated by control device 2, or if, for example, an interference signal or a constant voltage offset is present. After each sensor 3 has been triggered exactly once, the number of voltage drops detected by sensor 3 is determined. A sequence of sensors 3 on the data bus is then determined based on a decreasing number of voltage drops detected by sensor 3. That is, the sensor 3 with the most voltage drops is in the first position, starting from control device 2, on data bus 4. qlj Lnn / pznz / e / Yi / u qi / Lnn / Pznz / e / Yi / u According to the determined sequence, control device 2 subsequently assigns the respective geographical addresses to sensors 3. The sensor array 1 and the addressing method stand out in this regard due to their particularly cost-effective structure and simple feasibility. A particular advantage is that, in the case of a near-parallel voltage supply to all sensors 3, there is a kind of series connection of the sensors 3 by means of the shunt resistors 31, which allows the relative positions of all sensors 3 to be determined by counting the voltage drops along the data bus 4. Because the voltage supply is almost parallel, all three sensors can be provided with the same operating voltage. Therefore, the sensor array can be expanded to any number of sensors, where all three sensors can always be supplied with the same voltage in the case of a simple and cost-effective device structure for the sensor array. An alternative implementation of addressing is described below. Instead of the classification described above, the position of each sensor 3 on the data bus 4 can also be determined separately in a simple manner. For this purpose, each sensor 3 is activated separately exactly once. After the activation of a single sensor 3, a total number of voltage drops across all sensors 3 in sensor array 1 is determined. The position of the activated individual sensor 3 relative to the other sensors 3 is then determined based on the total number of voltage drops in sensor array 1. Based on this total number of voltage drops, the control device 2 can identify how many sensors 3 are arranged on the data bus 4 ahead of the currently activated sensor 3, and from this, identify the position of the activated sensor 3. Since a current flows through all the sensors 3 arranged on the data bus 4 during the activation of a given sensor 3, a voltage drop is detected at each of these sensors 3. If, for example, the central sensor 3 is activated in the sensor arrangement 1 shown in FIGURE 1, then current flows only in the shunt resistor 31 at the leftmost sensor, i.e., the first sensor 3 on the data bus 4. Based on this, the control device 2 can identify that only one sensor 3 is arranged before the activated sensor 3, and it is therefore the second sensor on the data bus 4. The assigned geographical address can then be stored in a non-volatile memory of the control device 2 and / or in a non-volatile memory of the actuated sensor 3. Alternatively, memoryless sensors 3 and a memoryless control device 2 can also be provided, wherein addressing is carried out on each startup qi / Lnn / óznz / e / YiAi of the sensor array 1. Alternatively, all sensors 3 generate a current pulse simultaneously, i.e., synchronously. After each sensor 3 is activated simultaneously, the voltage drop across each sensor is determined. This determines the total voltage drop measured at each sensor 3 in the chain. The position of the activated sensor 3 relative to the other sensors 3 is then determined based on the voltage drop across each sensor 3. The leftmost sensor 3 along the data bus 4 determines the highest total voltage drop, as it detects the voltage drops of all sensors 3 behind it in the row. Conversely, the rightmost sensor 3 along the data bus 4 determines the lowest total voltage drop.The sequence of sensors 3 on data bus 4 is determined accordingly based on a decreasing height of the voltage drops on the respective sensors 3. Figure 3 shows a simplified schematic view of a sensor array 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The second embodiment essentially corresponds to the first embodiment of Figure 1 with an alternative wiring of the sensors 3. In the second embodiment of Figure 3, the power supply line 5, the ground line 50, and the data bus 4 are each routed through each sensor 3. Accordingly, each sensor 3 has, via lines 5, 4, and 50, an input pin 52, 43, and 56 and an output pin 53, 44, and 57. Within the sensors 3, for example, on a circuit board of each sensor 3, a voltage tap is provided, as before, such that the sensor components 35 of all the sensors 3 that are to be supplied with voltage are further connected substantially in parallel with respect to the control device 2.Similarly, data exchange can also take place in parallel with respect to control device 2. With one of these constructions, connection lines and branching positions in the lines, the so-called splices, can be saved.

Claims

1. A vehicle sensor array characterized in that it comprises: - a control device (2), - a plurality of sensors (3), wherein each sensor (3) has an individual sensor identifier, - a data bus (4) connecting each sensor (3) to the control device (2), and - a power supply line (5) connecting each sensor (3) to the control device (2) for voltage supply, wherein each sensor (3) has a shunt resistor (31), wherein all the shunt resistors (31) are integrated in series into the power supply line (5), wherein each sensor (3) is configured to detect a voltage drop across its respective shunt resistor (31), and wherein the control device (2) is configured: - to actuate each sensor (3) by means of the individual sensor identifier,and - to assign an individual geographical address to each sensor (3) based on the voltage drops detected along the power line (5)., 2. The sensor arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that after the sensor (3) is actuated, it generates a current signal in the power supply line (5), which has a determined frequency signature.

3. The sensor arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a voltage tap of each sensor (3) is configured for the voltage supply of sensor components (35) of the sensor (3) in the supply line (5) before or after the respective shunt resistor (31).

4. The sensor arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shunt resistor (31) is a metal film resistor or a copper strip conductor or comprises at least one bonding wire.

5. The sensor arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shunt resistor (31) has an electrical resistance of a maximum of 0.1 Ω, in particular a maximum of 0.01 Ω, preferably a minimum of 0.001 Ω.

6. The sensor arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each sensor (3) has a differential amplifier, by means of which the voltage drop across the respective shunt resistor (31) is determined.

7. The sensor arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that each sensor (3) comprises a filter, in particular a bandpass filter or an optimum filter, and wherein the filter is configured to filter an output signal generated by the differential amplifier.

8. The sensor arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ground line (50) and / or the data bus (4) is conducted through each sensor (3), in particular in each case by means of an input pin (43, 56) and an output pin (44, 57) per sensor (3).

9. The sensor arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (2) and / or each sensor (3) has a non-volatile memory, or wherein the control device (2) and / or each sensor (3) is configured without memory.

10. The sensor arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensors (3) are ultrasonic sensors.

11. A method for addressing sensors (3) of a sensor array (1), the sensor array (1) having a control device (2), a plurality of sensors (3), wherein each sensor (3) has an individual sensor identifier, a data bus (4) connecting each sensor (3) to the control device (2), a power line (5), wherein each sensor (3) has a shunt resistor (31), wherein all the shunt resistors (31) are integrated into the power line (5) in series, and characterized in that the method, for each sensor (3), comprises the steps: - identification of the sensor identifier of the sensor (3), - actuation of the sensor (3) based on the sensor identifier, - determination of voltage drops across the shunt resistors (31) of all the sensors (3), - determination of a position of the actuated sensor (3) relative to the other sensors (3),and - assigning an individual geographical address to the sensor (3) based on the determined position, wherein the determination of the position of the actuated sensor (3) is carried out based on the voltage drops detected along the power supply line (5).

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that all sensors (3) are actuated one after the other, and wherein after the actuation of all sensors (3) a sequence of the sensors (3) on the data bus (4) is determined based on a decreasing number of voltage drops detected by sensor (3).

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that each qlj Lnn / pznz / e / Yi / u sensor (3) is actuated separately, wherein after each actuation of an individual sensor (3) a total number of voltage drops in all sensors (3) is determined, and wherein the position of the actuated sensor (3) relative to the other sensors (3) is determined based on the total number of voltage drops.

14. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that each sensor (3) is activated at the same time, in particular simultaneously, wherein after the simultaneous activation of each sensor (3) the height of a predetermined voltage drop in each sensor is determined, and wherein the position of the activated sensor (3) relative to the other sensors (3) is determined based on the height of a predetermined voltage drop in each sensor.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the voltage drops are reinforced through the shunt resistors (31) in each case by means of a differential amplifier, wherein an output signal generated by the differential amplifier is filtered in each case by means of a filter adapted to the frequency signature, and wherein, based on the output signal of the filter, a voltage drop height in the shunt resistor (31) is determined.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that each sensor (3) is assigned a logical address based on the sensor identifier prior to actuation, and wherein the actuation of the sensor (3) is effected by means of the logical address.

17. The method according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that each geographical address is stored in a non-volatile memory of each sensor (3) and / or in a non-volatile memory of the control device (2).

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