Redundant inductance type rotary transformer and method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a redundant inductance type rotary transformer and a method thereof. A disclosed example includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having: a first power management circuit coupled to a first transmission coil; a second power management circuit; a first receiver coil including a first coil portion on a first layer of the PCB and a second coil portion on a second layer of the PCB; and a second receiver coil including a third coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a fourth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB, the second receiver coil being coaxially aligned with the first transmission coil and the first receiver coil.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to sensor systems, and more specifically, to redundant inductive rotary transformers and methods thereof. Background Technology

[0002] A vehicle comprises multiple subsystems to perform various functions. The steering subsystem enables the vehicle operator to control the vehicle's direction of movement. In a mechanical steering subsystem, the steering shaft extends from the steering wheel to the rack and pinion assembly or the steering gear system between the two front wheels. When the vehicle operator turns or rotates the steering wheel, rotational motion is transmitted through the steering shaft and converted into linear motion through the rack and pinion assembly or steering gear system. This linear motion controls the steering direction of the two front wheels. Summary of the Invention

[0003] An example device includes a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising: a first power management circuit coupled to a first transmission coil; a second power management circuit; a first receiver coil including a first coil portion on a first layer of the PCB and a second coil portion on a second layer of the PCB; and a second receiver coil including a third coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a fourth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB, the second receiver coil being coaxially aligned with the first transmission coil and the first receiver coil.

[0004] An example device includes a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising: a first power management circuit and a second power management circuit coupled to respective first and second processors; a first receiver coil forming a circuit with the first processor, the first receiver coil including a first coil portion on a first layer of the PCB and a second coil portion on a second layer of the PCB; and a second receiver coil forming a circuit with the second processor and coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil, the second receiver coil including a third coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a fourth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB.

[0005] An example vehicle includes: a target component coupled to a steering shaft; a printed circuit board (PCB) in a steer-by-wire system, the PCB including: a first power management circuit and a second power management circuit coupled to corresponding first and second analog-to-digital converters (ADCs); a first receiver coil including a first coil portion on a first layer of the PCB and a second coil portion on a second layer of the PCB, the first receiver coil being coupled to the first ADC; and a second receiver coil including a third coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a fourth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB, the second receiver coil being coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil, the second receiver coil being coupled to the second ADC. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the vehicle, in which an example redundant inductive rotary transformer is implemented as part of a steer-by-wire (SBW) system.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a system diagram of an example implementation of an SBW system that includes a redundant inductive rotary transformer.

[0008] Figure 3 It has multiple transmit coils and receiver coils to implement Figure 2 A diagram of an example printed circuit board (PCB) for a redundant inductive rotary transformer.

[0009] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A diagram of an example redundant inductive rotary transformer, which includes... Figure 3 Redundant processors, power management circuits, and analog-to-digital converters on the PCB.

[0010] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 The target component is positioned in accordance with the diagram. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The PCB electromagnetic proximity and with Figure 3 The transmit coil and receiver coil are coaxially aligned to implement Figure 2 and Figure 4 Redundant inductive rotary transformers.

[0011] Generally, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the accompanying drawings and written description to refer to the same or similar parts. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Detailed Implementation

[0012] The examples disclosed herein generally relate to using inductive resolver sensors to measure angular or rotational positions in the steering wheel actuator (HWA) and driving wheel actuator (RWA) subsystems of a vehicle's SBW (Steering Wheel Welding) system. In the SBW system, the HWA subsystem is coupled to the steering wheel, and the RWA subsystem is coupled closer to the driving wheels. For example, the HWA subsystem receives driver input (e.g., steering input) via a steering sensor, transmits the driver input to the RWA, and receives road surface and driving wheel feedback (e.g., vehicle handling feedback) from the RWA to return to the driver. The RWA subsystem converts the driver input (e.g., steering input) from the HWA into driving wheel actuations, determines driving wheel feedback via a driving wheel handling sensor, and transmits the feedback to the HWA. Backup sensors can be used to provide redundancy in the HWA and RWA subsystems.

[0013] Unlike previous solutions, the examples disclosed herein implement redundant inductive resolver sensors on the same PCB to provide redundancy in sensor operation. For example, if the operating state of an inductive resolver sensor on the PCB changes to offline, unavailable, or standby, another inductive resolver sensor on the PCB can be used to provide steering control for the vehicle. Additionally, inductive resolver sensors are significantly less susceptible to stray electromagnetic field (EMF) interference compared to Hall effect sensors. Inductive resolver sensors are implemented using inductive coils arranged coaxially and in a ring. These coils are directly printed on multiple layers or surfaces of a single PCB. For example, a single PCB may include two transmit coils and four to six receiver coils (e.g., sensing coils) on one or more layers of the PCB, or any other suitable number of receiver coils. In a plurality of receiver coils, groups of two or three receiver coils are considered as separate inductive resolver sensors. For example, for a total of four receiver coils on the PCB, a first group of two receiver coils implements a first inductive resolver sensor, and a second group of two receiver coils implements a second inductive resolver sensor. Alternatively, for a total of six receiver coils on the PCB, the receiver coils can be grouped into two groups of three receiver coils, such that each group of three receiver coils forms a corresponding inductive resolver sensor in a total of two inductive resolver sensors. In any case, the examples disclosed herein can be implemented using any other suitable number of receiver coils and transmission coils on the PCB, and any other suitable number of receiver coils for each inductive resolver sensor.

[0014] In the examples disclosed herein, each inductive resolver sensor is connected to a corresponding processor chip (e.g., a digital signal processor (DSP), general-purpose processor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other suitable programmable circuit) on the same PCB. A rotating target with multiple poles or convex angles is positioned in electromagnetic proximity to the PCB such that the target is coaxially aligned with the inductive resolver sensor. As used herein, electromagnetic proximity means that the target is close enough to the inductive resolver sensor that it can influence or interrupt the electromagnetic eddy currents generated in the inductive resolver sensor. The target is attached to the steering wheel via a steering shaft, the rotational position of which is measured.

[0015] The poles or convex corners of the target component comprise metallic materials to alter the electromagnetic field generated by the transmission coil. For example, the transmission coil of a PCB generates an EMF, which is affected, interrupted, or shaped by the poles or convex corners of the rotating target component. Based on this interruption or shaping caused by the rotation of the target component, eddy currents are induced in the receiver coil of the inductive resolver sensor, exhibiting changes based on the shaping of the EMF. The receiver coil then generates a corresponding waveform signal. The waveform signal is used by a processing chip to calculate the rotational position of the target component. Each inductive resolver sensor is equipped with its own independent power management circuitry. Therefore, if the operating state of one inductive resolver sensor or its processor chip switches to offline, unavailable, or standby mode, another inductive resolver sensor can continue to operate, thereby allowing the vehicle operator to maintain control of the vehicle.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a vehicle 100, one of the embodiments disclosed herein, which may be implemented. Figure 1 In the example shown, vehicle 100 includes an example steering actuation system 102, an example steering controller 104, and an example redundant inductive resolver 106. Vehicle 100 is a wheeled vehicle. Figure 1 In the example shown, vehicle 100 is a pickup truck. In other examples, vehicle 100 can be any type of wheeled vehicle (e.g., sedan, coupe, van, SUV, ATV, agricultural equipment, etc.). In some examples, vehicle 100 includes an internal combustion engine (e.g., non-electrified vehicle, partially electrified vehicle, etc.). In other examples, vehicle 100 is a fully electric vehicle.

[0017] In the example Figure 1 In this system, the steering actuation system 102 and the steering controller 104 implement the SBW system (e.g., Figure 2The SBW system 200). The steering actuation system 102 allows the user of vehicle 100 to control the front wheels 108a, 108b of vehicle 100 / to steer the front wheels. In other examples, the steering actuation system 102 allows the user of vehicle 100 to also control the rear wheels of the four-wheel steering vehicle 100 / to steer the rear wheels. Figure 1 In the example shown, the steering actuation system 102 and the steering controller 104 include corresponding communication interfaces to transmit control information and feedback between the steering actuation system 102 and the steering controller 104.

[0018] Steering controller 104 controls and / or manages steering actuation system 102. For example, steering controller 104 may calculate the rotation angle of steering actuation system 102 based on the rotation angle of the steering wheel controlled by the vehicle operator. In some examples, some or all of steering controller 104 may be implemented by electronic control unit (ECU) of vehicle 100. In other examples, steering controller 104 may be implemented by another suitable computer (e.g., another computer of vehicle 100, a mobile device of the user of vehicle 100, a remote computer, etc.).

[0019] The steering controller 104 forms a circuit with a redundant inductive rotary transformer 106. The redundant inductive rotary transformer 106 includes multiple receiver coils configured coaxially, as shown below. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As described. The redundant inductive rotary transformer 106 is based on a target element (e.g., rotating near the redundant inductive rotary transformer 106). Figure 2 Example target 208) is used to measure the rotation angle of the steering wheel, as shown below. Figure 5 As described herein. For example, the redundant inductive rotary transformer 106 can be used to measure the angle of rotation of the steering wheel, the direction of rotation of the steering wheel, and the speed of rotation of the steering wheel. In the examples disclosed herein, the angle of rotation, rotation angle, rotation position, and angular position are used interchangeably to refer to the position of the steering wheel and the corresponding target component when the vehicle operator turns the steering wheel to turn the vehicle 100.

[0020] Figure 2 It includes Figure 1 A system diagram of an example SBW system 200 comprising a steering actuation system 102, a steering controller 104, and a redundant inductive rotary transformer 106. The SBW system 200 includes an example steering wheel 202, an example steering shaft 204, an example rack and pinion system 206, and an example target element 208. The rack and pinion system 206 is coupled to the front wheels 108a and 108b of the vehicle 100. Figure 1 In other examples, the rack and pinion system 206 is coupled to the rear wheels of the four-wheel steering vehicle 100. Figure 2In the example, the steering controller 104 and the redundant inductive resolver 106 implement the HWA subsystem of the SBW system 200. Also in the example... Figure 2 In the middle, the steering actuation system 102 implements the RWA subsystem of the SBW system 200.

[0021] The steering wheel 202 allows a user of vehicle 100 to operate the steering actuation system 102 and thereby steer vehicle 100. For this purpose, a steering controller 104 communicates with the steering actuation system 102. For example, the steering controller 104 includes a transceiver (e.g., a wireless or wired transceiver) that communicates with a transceiver (e.g., a wireless or wired transceiver) of the steering actuation system 102. Therefore, the steering controller 104 can transmit driver input from the steering wheel 202 (e.g., turning the steering wheel 202) as a steering control signal (e.g., a steering command) to the steering actuation system 102, and the steering controller 104 can receive vehicle handling feedback from the steering actuation system 102. The steering wheel 202 includes an interface (e.g., a grip, etc.) that allows a user to apply torque to the steering shaft 204 to rotate the target element 208. When the user turns the steering wheel 202, the rotational torque of the steering wheel is transmitted to the target element 208 via the steering shaft 204.

[0022] exist Figure 2 In the example shown, steering shaft 204 is coupled to target 208, and target 208 is positioned in electromagnetic proximity to redundant inductive resolver 106. As used herein, electromagnetic proximity means that target 208 is close enough to redundant inductive resolver 106 that target 208 can influence or interrupt electromagnetic eddy currents induced in the receiver coil of redundant inductive resolver 106, as described below. Figure 5 As described. For example, the face of target 208 may be positioned within 0.03 to 0.2 inches of the surface of redundant inductive rotary transformer 106. Although target 208 is in Figure 2 The target element 208 is shown as being connected to the steering shaft 204, but in other examples, the steering shaft 204 may be omitted, and the target element 208 may be connected to the steering wheel 202 via the steering column or directly to the steering wheel 202.

[0023] The target component 208 includes multiple protruding corners and metallic material. For example, the target component 208 may be configured such that the protruding corners are solid metal or coated with a metallic layer. In this way, the target component 208 can interact with the electric field generated by the redundant inductive rotary transformer 106. For example, when power is applied to the redundant inductive rotary transformer 106, it generates an electric field. When the target component 208 rotates, the protruding corners of the target component 208 disrupt the pattern of the electric field. The redundant inductive rotary transformer 106 senses these electric field interruptions and generates a corresponding signal representing the rotational position of the target component 208. Such a rotational position represents the rotational position of the steering wheel 202. In this way, the signal generated by the redundant inductive rotary transformer 106 can be used by the steering controller 104 to transmit steering control signals to the steering actuation system 102. In addition to determining the steering angle of the steering wheel 202, the redundant inductive rotary transformer 106 can also be used to derive other steering-related metrics, such as steering speed, steering acceleration, steering torque, etc. As described in more detail below, the redundant inductive rotary transformer 106 includes redundant processors (e.g., Figure 4 Redundant processors 402a and 402b. Cross-communication between such redundant processors can be used to improve the accuracy of steering angle estimation.

[0024] The rack and pinion system 206 is a linear actuator that includes a pinion gear engaging with the rack. The rack and pinion system 206 converts the rotational input from the steering actuation system 102 into linear motion to drive the wheels 108a, 108b (… Figure 1 Steering. In this way, the user operating the steering wheel 202 causes the rack and pinion system 206 to change the direction of the vehicle 100 by turning the wheels 108a, 108b.

[0025] Although not shown, the steering actuation system 102 also includes a redundant inductive rotary transformer substantially similar to or identical to the redundant inductive rotary transformer 106, and a target element substantially similar to or identical to the target element 208. The target element may be coupled to a wheel steering axle 212, which is coupled to a rack and pinion system 206. Based on this configuration, the steering actuation system 102 can use its redundant inductive rotary transformer and target element to detect driving wheel feedback (e.g., vehicle handling feedback) from wheels 108a, 108b and transmit this driving wheel feedback to the steering controller 104, allowing the steering controller 104 to provide feedback to the driver via the steering wheel 202.

[0026] Although target component 208 is described as being coupled to steering shaft 204 (or wheel steering shaft 212), in other examples, target component 208 may be coupled to a motor shaft, and redundant inductive rotary transformer 106 may be used to measure the rotational position of the motor shaft during operation of the corresponding motor. For example, such a motor may be used in vehicle 100 ( Figure 1 In some cases, a redundant inductive resolver 106 is used to generate road torque feedback on the HWA without directly connecting the motor to the steering shaft 204. Instead, the road torque feedback is transmitted from the motor to the steering shaft 204 via a gear set or belt. In an example where motor control is prioritized and a redundant inductive resolver 106 is used for both motor and steering control, the redundant inductive resolver 106 may be placed on the motor shaft rather than directly on the steering shaft 204. In this way, the redundant inductive resolver 106 can be used to measure the rotational position of the steering shaft 204 transmitted to the motor shaft via a gear set or belt, and the motor can be used concurrently to generate road torque feedback via a gear set or belt, which is transmitted to the steering shaft 204 via the motor shaft.

[0027] Figure 3 It is implemented with multiple transmission coils 302a, 302b and receiver coils 304a to 304d. Figure 2 A diagram of an example PCB 300 for a redundant inductive resolver 106. PCB 300 includes an example first layer 308a and an example second layer 308b. In other examples, PCB 300 may include any other suitable number of layers.

[0028] exist Figure 3 In the example shown, PCB 300 includes an example first transmission coil 302a and an example second transmission coil 302b. PCB 300 also includes an example first receiver coil 304a, which has a first coil portion on a first layer 308a of PCB 300 and a second coil portion on a second layer 308b of PCB 300. In the examples disclosed herein, different portions of the coils formed on different layers or surfaces of PCB 300 are interconnected using vertical interconnect pathways or through-holes. For example, Figure 3 PCB 300 includes an example first via 312a extending between a first layer 308a and a second layer 308b. The first via 312a electrically couples a first coil portion of a first receiver coil 304a to a second coil portion. PCB 300 also includes an example second receiver coil 304b having a third coil portion on the first layer 308a of PCB 300 and a fourth coil portion on the second layer 308b of PCB 300. PCB 300 includes an example second via 312b extending between the first layer 308a and the second layer 308b of PCB 300. The second via 312b electrically couples the third coil portion of the second receiver coil 304b to the fourth coil portion.

[0029] As described above, PCB 300 can be implemented to include any suitable number of layers. Transmission coils 302a and 302b are implemented on corresponding layers of PCB 300. In some examples, in addition to the first layer 308a and the second layer 308b, PCB 300 also includes a third and a fourth layer, and transmission coils 302a and 302b are implemented on corresponding layers of the third and fourth layers. In other examples, the first transmission coil 302a may be implemented on the first layer 308a, and the second transmission coil 302b may be implemented on the second layer 308b. In such examples, the layout of transmission coils 302a and 302b is arranged to allow PCB traces to be placed outside the transmission coils 302a and 302b and the receiver coils 304a to 304d, such as circuitry components (e.g., ...). Figure 4 The PCB traces are routed between the analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) 406a and 406b, and those PCB traces are not short-circuited with the transmission coils 302a and 302b.

[0030] like Figure 3 As shown, the first receiver coil 304a and the second receiver coil 304b are formed in a spiral pattern or spiral construction, thereby forming an outer circumference and an inner circumference. The aforementioned first through-hole 312a and second through-hole 312b are positioned along the outer circumference of the spiral pattern. Additional through-holes are also located at other portions of the outer circumference and the inner circumference to electrically connect additional portions of the first receiver coil 304a to each other and to electrically connect additional portions of the second receiver coil 304b to each other. Such through-holes are used to alternately weave the first receiver coil 304a and the second receiver coil 304b between the first layer 308a and the second layer 308b of the PCB 300, such that the first receiver coil 304a and the second receiver coil 304b can be arranged coaxially and overlapped without being electrically short-circuited to each other. Although in Figure 3 The example shown herein illustrates a particular spiral pattern, but other coaxial patterns may be used alternatively or in combination to implement the receiver coil for use with the examples disclosed herein.

[0031] exist Figure 3In the example, PCB 300 also includes an example third receiver coil 304c, which has a fifth coil portion on a first layer 308a of PCB 300 and a sixth coil portion on a second layer 308b of PCB 300. An example third via 312c extending between the first layer 308a and the second layer 308b of PCB 300 electrically couples the fifth and sixth coil portions of the third receiver coil 304c. PCB 300 also includes an example fourth receiver coil 304d, which includes a seventh coil portion on the first layer 308a of PCB 300 and an eighth coil portion on the second layer 308b of PCB 300. An example fourth via 312d extending between the first layer 308a and the second layer 308b of PCB 300 electrically couples the seventh and eighth coil portions of the third receiver coil 304c. Figure 3 In the example, the transmission coils 302a, 302b and the receiver coils 304a to 304d are coaxially aligned with each other on the PCB 300.

[0032] Although multiple receiver coils are described above as being implemented across first layer 308a and second layer 308b, in other examples, different receiver coils may be formed across more than two layers of PCB 300. For example, first receiver coil 304a and second receiver coil 304b may be implemented across first layer 308a and second layer 308b, and third receiver coil 304c and fourth receiver coil 304d may be implemented across third and fourth layers of PCB 300. In yet another example, each of receiver coils 304a to 304d may be implemented across a corresponding pair of layers in PCB 300. In such examples, PCB 300 includes eight layers for the four receiver coils 304a to 304d. The examples disclosed herein may be implemented using any suitable number of layers in PCB 300 to implement multiple receiver coils and / or multiple transmit coils.

[0033] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A figure shows a redundant inductive rotary transformer 106, which includes... Figure 3Example redundant processors 402a, 402b, example redundant power management circuits 404a, 404b, and example redundant ADCs 406a, 406b are provided on PCB 300. Example first power management circuit 404a is coupled to example first processor 402a, example first ADC 406a, and first transmission coil 302a. Example second power management circuit 404b is coupled to example second processor 402b, example second ADC 406b, and second transmission coil 302b. Redundant components are provided such that if one set of redundant components—power management circuits, processors, or ADCs—enters an offline, unavailable, or standby mode, another set of components can be used to control the steering of vehicle 100.

[0034] Power management circuits 404a and 404b are provided to receive input voltage to generate output voltages supplied to the corresponding processors and ADCs in processors 402a and 402b and ADCs 406a and 406b. ADCs 406a and 406b are provided to convert analog signals from receiver coils 304a to 304d into digital signals and provide those digital signals to the corresponding processors in processors 402a and 402b. A first processor 402a is coupled to a first receiver coil 304a and a third receiver coil 304c via a first ADC 406a. A second processor 402b is coupled to a second receiver coil 304b and a fourth receiver coil 304d via a second ADC 406b.

[0035] Processors 402a and 402b can be implemented using any suitable processor or controller circuitry, including, for example, a DSP, a general-purpose processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or any other suitable programmable circuitry. Processors 402a and 402b can execute machine-readable instructions to determine the steering wheel 202 based on the waveforms generated by receiver coils 304a to 304d. Figure 2 The process of determining the rotational position of the steering actuation system 102 and generating corresponding steering control signals or commands to transmit to the steering actuation system 102.

[0036] Power management circuits 404a and 404b can be implemented using discrete components or integrated circuit (IC) chips to receive input voltages and generate multiple voltage rails to power the corresponding processors, ADCs, and transmission coils in processors 402a and 402b, ADCs 406a and 406b, and transmission coils 302a and 302b. For example, each power management circuit 404a and 404b can be implemented in a corresponding IC chip having input pins to receive one or more input supply voltages and one or more control inputs from the corresponding processor in processors 402a and 402b. Each IC chip may also include output pins to drive the supply voltages. Additionally, although ADCs 406a and 406b are shown separately from power management circuits 404a and 404b, in other examples, ADCs 406a and 406b are implemented within power management circuits 404a and 404b.

[0037] Figure 5 Target component 208 is shown, the target component being positioned with Figure 3 and Figure 4 The PCB 300 is electromagnetically close to and has contact with the transmission coils 302a and 302b. Figure 3 and Figure 4 ) and receiver coils 304a to 304d ( Figure 3 and Figure 4 Coaxial alignment is used to implement redundant inductive rotary transformer 106. Target member 208 includes three convex corners arranged radially. In other examples, target member 208 may include fewer or more convex corners to achieve a desired level of accuracy when determining steering parameters such as the steering wheel rotation angle, steering wheel rotation direction, and steering wheel rotation speed.

[0038] In some examples, a first receiver coil 304a and a third receiver coil 304c form a first inductive resolver sensor coupled to a first processor 402a, and a second receiver coil 304b and a fourth receiver coil 304d form a second resolver sensor coupled to a second processor 402b. In such examples, the first processor 402a receives a pair of waveform signals generated by the first receiver coil 304a and the third receiver coil 304c based on the angular position of the target element 208 relative to the first receiver coil 304a and the third receiver coil 304c. Additionally, the second processor 402b receives a pair of waveform signals generated by the second receiver coil 304b and the fourth receiver coil 304d based on the angular position of the target element 208 relative to the second receiver coil 304b and the fourth receiver coil 304d. For example, a first power management circuit 404a provides a supply voltage to the first transmission coil 302a, and a second power management circuit 404b provides another supply voltage to the second transmission coil 302b. These supply voltages induce corresponding EMFs in the first transmission coil 302a and the second transmission coil 302b, which induc eddy currents in the receiver coils 304a to 304d. When the vehicle operator rotates the steering wheel 202... Figure 2 When the rotational motion is transmitted to the target 208 via the steering shaft 204, the target 208 rotates closer to the transmission coils 302a, 302b and receiver coils 304a to 304d of the redundant inductive resolver 106. In other examples, instead of the first receiver coil 304a and the third receiver coil 304c forming a first inductive resolver sensor and the second receiver coil 304b and the fourth receiver coil 304d forming a second inductive resolver sensor, the first receiver coil 304a and the second receiver coil 304b may form a first inductive resolver sensor coupled to the first processor 402a, and the second receiver coil 304b and the fourth receiver coil 304d may form a second inductive resolver sensor coupled to the second processor 402b. Furthermore, the inductive resolver sensor can be implemented using any suitable combination of coils.

[0039] Rotating the target component 208 through different angular or rotational positions alters the EMF generated by the transmission coils 302a and 302b. These EMF changes, in turn, alter the electromagnetic eddy currents induced in the receiver coils 304a to 304d. The receiver coils 304a to 304d generate corresponding analog voltage signal waveforms representing the changes in eddy currents and provide these waveforms to the corresponding ADCs in the ADCs 406a and 406b. The ADCs 406a and 406b convert the analog signals into digital signals. The ADCs 406a and 406b provide these digital signals to the corresponding processors in the processors 402a and 402b. The waveform of the digital signal represents the angular or rotational position of the target component 208 relative to the receiver coils 304a to 304d based on the changes in eddy currents. The processors 402a and 402b analyze the digital signals received from the corresponding ADCs in the ADCs 406a and 406b to determine the rotational position of the steering wheel 202 and generate a signal to be transmitted to the steering actuation system 102. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Steering control signal.

[0040] Receiver coils 304a to 304d are arranged in a phase-shiftable configuration on PCB 300. This allows processors 402a and 402b to compare waveform signals from the paired receiver coils 304a to 304d and to eliminate high-order harmonics between the pair of coils in the inductive receiver sensor, thereby increasing the accuracy of the estimated rotational position of the steering wheel 202. Figure 4 As shown, processors 402a and 402b are communicatively coupled to each other. In this way, processors 402a and 402b can operate cooperatively to determine the rotational position of steering wheel 202 based on waveform signals from a first inductive resolver sensor (e.g., first receiver coil 304a and third receiver coil 304c) and a second inductive resolver sensor (e.g., second receiver coil 304b and fourth receiver coil 304d). For example, the phase angle between the first and second inductive resolver sensors can be changed such that communication between the two processors 402a and 402b through each sensor allows the use of raw data from one sensor to eliminate higher-order harmonics in the other sensor. This process can be used to increase the accuracy of the estimation of the rotational position of steering wheel 202.

[0041] As described above, in some examples, the first receiver coil 304a and the third receiver coil 304c form a first inductive resolver sensor, and the second receiver coil 304b and the fourth receiver coil 304d form a second resolver sensor. In other examples, three or more receiver coils may be integrated into corresponding layers of multiple layers of PCB 300 and used to form an inductive resolver sensor and provide three or more concurrent signals to corresponding processors 402a, 402b. For example, the first receiver coil 304a, the third receiver coil 304c, and one or more additional receiver coils may operate as a first inductive resolver sensor circuitry with the first processor 402a, and the second receiver coil 304b, the fourth receiver coil 304d, and one or more additional receiver coils may operate as a second inductive resolver sensor circuitry with the second processor 402b.

[0042] When the target component 208 rotates based on the steering input at the steering wheel 202, the first receiver coil 304a, the third receiver coil 304c, and one or more additional receiver coils operate as a first inductive rotary transformer sensor to concurrently generate three or more analog signals corresponding to the angular position of the target component 208. Additionally, the second receiver coil 304b, the fourth receiver coil 304d, and one or more additional receiver coils operate as a second inductive rotary transformer sensor to concurrently generate three analog signals corresponding to the angular position of the target component 208. Therefore, the first processor 402a can use the three or more digital signals concurrently generated based on the three or more receiver coils of the corresponding inductive rotary transformer sensor to generate a steering control signal for the steering actuation system 102. Furthermore, the second processor 402b can use the additional three or more digital signals concurrently generated based on the three or more receiver coils of the corresponding second inductive rotary transformer sensor to generate a steering control signal for the steering actuation system 102. In such examples, the three receiver coils in a single inductive resolver sensor can be phased 60 degrees with each other, allowing one of the corresponding processors 402a, 402b to compare the relative amplitudes of the waveform signals received from the three receiver coils and eliminate up to the third harmonic. The examples disclosed herein can also be used to eliminate higher-order harmonics, depending on the phase angle between the inductive resolver sensors in the redundant inductive resolver 106 and the number of receiver coils implemented in the redundant inductive resolver 106.

[0043] The first ADC 406a converts two analog signals from the first receiver coil 304a and the third receiver coil 304c to generate two digital signals, which are then provided to the first processor 402a. Similarly, the second ADC 406b converts two analog signals from the second receiver coil 304b and the fourth receiver coil 304d to generate two digital signals, which are then provided to the second processor 402b. Processors 402a and 402b analyze their corresponding digital signal pairs to determine the rotational position of the steering wheel 202 and generate steering control signals to be transmitted to the steering actuation system 102. For example, each processor 402a and 402b may average its digital signal pairs to filter out noise or outlier data points and generate an averaged or filtered digital signal to serve as the basis for its steering control.

[0044] In other examples, more than two receiver coils may be used to implement an inductive resolver sensor. For example, a first inductive resolver sensor corresponding to the first processor 402a may be implemented with three or more receiver coils, and a second inductive resolver sensor corresponding to the second processor 402b may be implemented with another three or more receiver coils.

[0045] The transmission coils 302a and 302b and the receiver coils 304a to 304d are implemented with multi-level redundancy, such that if the operating state of any of the coils 302a, 302b and 304a to 304d changes to an offline, unavailable, or standby state, the operating coils of the transmission coils 302a and 302b and the receiver coils 304a to 304d can be used to provide steering control for the vehicle 100. For example, the first transmission coil 302a and the second transmission coil 302b on the same PCB 300 operate redundantly, such that if the operating state of either the first transmission coil 302a or the second transmission coil 302b changes to an offline, unavailable, or standby state, the other one of the first transmission coil 302a or the second transmission coil 302b can be used to provide steering control for the vehicle 100. Additionally, the first inductive rotary transformer sensor (e.g., the first receiver coil 304a and / or the third receiver coil 304c) and the second inductive rotary transformer sensor (e.g., the second receiver coil 304b and / or the fourth receiver coil 304d) on the same PCB 300 operate redundantly such that if the operating state of any of the inductive rotary transformer sensors changes to offline, unavailable, or standby, the other inductive rotary transformer sensor on the same PCB 300 can be used to provide steering control for the vehicle 100.

[0046] Additionally, for a single resolver sensor comprising three or more receiver coils (e.g., first receiver coil 304a, third receiver coil 304c, etc.), when three or more receiver coils are operational, the single resolver sensor concurrently outputs three or more analog signals corresponding to the number of operational receiver coils to, for example, a first ADC 406a. Therefore, the first processor 402a can determine the rotational position of the steering wheel 202 based on the three or more concurrent signals. Even when the operational state of the receiver coils changes to offline, unavailable, or standby, at least two of the still operational receiver coils (e.g., first receiver coil 304a and third receiver coil 304c) can still be used to provide steering control for the vehicle 100. Therefore, the examples disclosed herein can be used to provide redundancy across multiple receiver coils in a single resolver sensor.

[0047] Furthermore, in the examples described above, processors 402a and 402b concurrently analyze digital signals to determine the rotational position of the steering wheel 202 and generate steering control signals. In such examples, the two processors 402a and 402b operate concurrently. However, the SBW system 200 may provide steering control to the vehicle 100 based on only one of the processors 402a and 402b. Therefore, if the operating state of one of the processors 402a and 402b changes to offline, unavailable, or standby, the other processor 402a and 402b continues to provide steering control to the vehicle 100. In such examples, the SBW system 200 may use the second processor 402b instead of the first processor 402a based on the operating state of the first processor 402a (e.g., offline, unavailable, or standby). For example, the power management circuits 404a and 404b of the individual inductive resolver sensors are independent or switchable. Therefore, if the operating state of an inductive rotary transformer sensor or its corresponding transmission coils 302a, 302b changes to an unavailable, offline, or standby state, or its corresponding processors 402a, 402b or ADCs 406a, b change to an unavailable, offline, or standby state, the other sensor and its corresponding components can still operate based on power supplied by the other of the power management circuits 404a, 404b.

[0048] "Comprising" and "including" (and all their forms and tenses) are used herein as open-ended terms. Therefore, whenever a claim uses any form of "comprising" or "including" (e.g., including, containing, encompassing, covering, having, etc.) as a preamble or within any kind of claim statement, it should be understood that additional elements, items, etc., may be present without falling outside the scope of the corresponding claim or statement. As used herein, when the phrase "at least" is used as a transitional term in the preamble of a claim, it becomes an open-ended term in the same way that the terms "comprising" and "including" become open-ended terms. The term "and / or," when used, for example, in the form of A, B, and / or C, refers to any combination or subset of A, B, and C, such as (1) only A, (2) only B, (3) only C, (4) A and B, (5) A and C, (6) B and C, and (7) A and B and C. As used herein in the context of describing structures, components, articles, objects, and / or things, the phrase "at least one of A and B" is intended to refer to an implementation that includes any one of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, as used herein in the context of describing structures, components, articles, objects, and / or things, the phrase "at least one of A and B" is intended to refer to an implementation that includes any one of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) at least one A and at least one B. As used herein in the context of describing the implementation or execution of processes, instructions, actions, activities, etc., the phrase "at least one of A and B" is intended to refer to an implementation that includes any one of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, as used herein in the context of describing the implementation or execution of processes, instructions, actions, activities, etc., the phrase "at least one of A and B" is intended to refer to an implementation that includes any one of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) at least one A and at least one B.

[0049] As used herein, singular references (e.g., "a," "an," "first," "second," etc.) do not exclude plurals. As used herein, the term "a / an" refers to one or more of the same object. The terms "a / an," "one or more," and "at least one" are used interchangeably herein. Furthermore, although listed separately, multiple components, elements, or actions may be performed by, for example, the same entity or object. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different examples or claims, these may be combined, and inclusion in different examples or claims does not imply that the combination of features is impractical and / or disadvantageous.

[0050] As used in this patent, a statement that any part (e.g., layer, film, region, area, or plate) is located on another part in any way (e.g., positioned on it, situated on it, disposed on it, or formed on it, etc.) indicates that the referenced part is in contact with the other part, or that the referenced part is above the other part, wherein one or more intermediate parts are located between them.

[0051] As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, a connection reference (e.g., attachment, coupling, linking, and linking) may include intermediate components between the elements referenced by the connection reference and / or relative movement between these elements. Therefore, a connection reference does not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected and / or fixed to each other. As used herein, a statement that any part is “in contact” with another part is defined as meaning that there is no intermediate part between the two parts.

[0052] Unless otherwise specifically stated, descriptors such as “first,” “second,” and “third” used herein do not in any way impose or otherwise indicate any meaning of priority, physical order, arrangement in a list, and / or sorting, but are merely used as labels and / or arbitrary names to distinguish elements in order to facilitate understanding of the disclosed examples. In some examples, the descriptor “first” may be used to refer to an element in the detailed description, while in the claims, different descriptors such as “second” or “third” may refer to the same element. In such cases, it should be understood that such descriptors are only used to clearly identify those elements within the context of the discussion (e.g., within the claims), in which those elements may otherwise share the same name, for example.

[0053] As used herein, the phrase “to communicate” (including its variations) encompasses direct communication and / or indirect communication via one or more intermediate components, and does not require direct physical (e.g., wired) communication and / or continuous communication, but additionally includes selective communication at periodic intervals, scheduled intervals, aperiodic intervals and / or one-off events.

[0054] As used herein, a “programmable circuit system” is defined as including: (i) one or more special-purpose circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) that are structured to perform specific operations and include one or more semiconductor-based logic devices (e.g., electrical hardware implemented by one or more transistors); and / or (ii) one or more general-purpose semiconductor-based circuits that are programmable with instructions to perform specific functions and / or operations and include one or more semiconductor-based logic devices (e.g., electrical hardware implemented by one or more transistors). Examples of programmable circuit systems include programmable microprocessors, such as central processing units (CPUs) that can execute first instructions to perform one or more operations and / or functions, FPGAs that can be programmed with second instructions to cause the configuration and / or structuring of a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) to instantiate one or more operations and / or functions corresponding to the first instructions, digital signal processors (DSPs) that can execute first instructions to perform one or more operations and / or functions, XPUs, one or more microcontrollers that can execute first instructions to perform one or more operations and / or functions, and / or integrated circuits such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). For example, an XPU can be implemented by a heterogeneous computing system that includes a variety of types of programmable circuits (e.g., one or more FPGAs, one or more CPUs, one or more DSPs, etc. and / or any combination thereof) and orchestration techniques (e.g., application programming interfaces (APIs)) that can assign computing tasks to any one or more of the various types of programmable circuit systems that are suitable and can be used to perform the computing tasks.

[0055] As used herein, an integrated circuit / circuit system is defined as one or more semiconductor packages containing one or more circuit elements, such as transistors, capacitors, inductors, resistors, current paths, diodes, etc. For example, an integrated circuit can be implemented as one or more of an ASIC, FPGA, chip, microchip, programmable circuit system, semiconductor substrate connecting multiple circuit elements, system-on-a-chip (SoC), etc.

[0056] This document discloses example methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture for implementing redundant inductive rotary transformers. Further examples and combinations thereof include the following:

[0057] Example 1 includes an apparatus comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) including: a first power management circuit coupled to a first transmission coil; a second power management circuit; a first receiver coil including a first coil portion on a first layer of the PCB and a second coil portion on a second layer of the PCB; and a second receiver coil including a third coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a fourth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB, the second receiver coil being coaxially aligned with the first transmission coil and the first receiver coil.

[0058] Example 2 includes the device as described in Example 1, the device further including a second transmission coil coupled to the second power management circuit.

[0059] Example 3 includes a device as described in Example 1 and / or Example 2, the device further comprising: a first processor coupled to a first receiver coil, the first processor being configured to receive a first signal corresponding to the first receiver coil, the first signal being based on an angular position of a target element coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil and the second receiver coil; and a second processor coupled to a second receiver coil, the second processor being configured to receive a second signal corresponding to the second receiver coil, the second signal being based on the angular position of the target element.

[0060] Example 4 includes a device as described in any one or more of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the first processor determines the angular position of the target based on the first signal from the first receiver coil.

[0061] Example 5 includes a device as described in any one or more of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the second processor, instead of the first processor, generates a steering control signal based on the operating state of at least one of the first processor, the first power management circuit, or the first receiver coil.

[0062] Example 6 includes a device as described in any one or more of Examples 1 to 5, the device comprising: a first through-hole extending between the first layer and the second layer, the first through-hole electrically coupling a first coil portion of the first receiver coil to a second coil portion; and a second through-hole extending between the first layer and the second layer, the second through-hole electrically coupling a third coil portion of the second receiver coil to a fourth coil portion.

[0063] Example 7 includes a device as described in any one or more of Examples 1 to 6, the device comprising: a third receiver coil including a fifth coil portion on a first layer of the PCB and a sixth coil portion on a second layer of the PCB; and a fourth receiver coil including a seventh coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and an eighth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB, the first receiver coil and the third receiver coil operating as a first sensor coupled to a first processor, and the second receiver coil and the fourth receiver coil operating as a second sensor coupled to a second processor.

[0064] Example 8 includes a device as described in any one or more of Examples 1 to 7, the device further including a target element coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil and the second receiver coil, the target element including a plurality of convex corners arranged radially.

[0065] Example 9 includes an apparatus comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) including: a first power management circuit and a second power management circuit coupled to respective first and second processors; a first receiver coil forming a circuit with the first processor, the first receiver coil including a first coil portion on a first layer of the PCB and a second coil portion on a second layer of the PCB; and a second receiver coil forming a circuit with the second processor and coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil, the second receiver coil including a third coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a fourth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB.

[0066] Example 10 includes the device as described in Example 9, the device comprising: a third receiver coil including a fifth coil portion on a first layer of the PCB and a sixth coil portion on a second layer of the PCB; and a fourth receiver coil including a seventh coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and an eighth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB, the first receiver coil and the third receiver coil operating as a first sensor, and the second receiver coil and the fourth receiver coil operating as a second sensor.

[0067] Example 11 includes the device as described in Example 9 and / or Example 10, wherein the printed circuit board is a component in the vehicle's steer-by-wire system.

[0068] Example 12 includes the device as described in Example 9, the device further including a target element coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil and the second receiver coil, the target element including a plurality of convex corners arranged radially.

[0069] Example 13 includes a device as described in any one or more of Examples 9 to 12, wherein the first processor determines the angular position of the target based on a first signal from the first receiver coil.

[0070] Example 14 includes a vehicle comprising: a target component coupled to a steering shaft; a printed circuit board (PCB) in a steer-by-wire system, the PCB including: a first power management circuit and a second power management circuit coupled to corresponding first and second analog-to-digital converters (ADCs); a first receiver coil including a first coil portion on a first layer of the PCB and a second coil portion on a second layer of the PCB, the first receiver coil being coupled to the first ADC; and a second receiver coil including a third coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a fourth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB, the second receiver coil being coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil, the second receiver coil being coupled to the second ADC.

[0071] Example 15 includes a vehicle as described in Example 14, the vehicle further comprising: a first processor coupled to a first receiver coil, the first processor being configured to receive a first signal corresponding to the first receiver coil, the first signal being based on an angular position of the target element coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil and the second receiver coil; and a second processor coupled to a second receiver coil, the second processor being configured to receive a second signal corresponding to the second receiver coil, the second signal being based on the angular position of the target element.

[0072] Example 16 includes a vehicle as described in Example 14 and / or Example 15, wherein a first analog-to-digital converter is coupled between a first receiver coil and a first processor, and a second analog-to-digital converter is coupled between a second receiver coil and a second processor, and the second analog-to-digital converter, instead of the first analog-to-digital converter, generates a steering control signal based on an unavailable operating state of at least one of the first processor, the first power management circuit, the first receiver coil, or the first analog-to-digital converter.

[0073] Example 17 includes a vehicle as described in any one or more of Examples 14 to 16, wherein the first processor determines the angular position of the target based on the first signal from the first receiver coil.

[0074] Example 18 includes a vehicle as described in any one or more of Examples 14 to 17, wherein the steer-by-wire system uses the second processor instead of the first processor based on the operating state of the first processor.

[0075] Example 19 includes a vehicle as described in any one or more of Examples 14 to 18, the vehicle comprising: a first through-hole extending between a first layer and a second layer, the first through-hole coupling a first coil portion of a first receiver coil to a second coil portion; and a second through-hole extending between the first layer and the second layer, the second through-hole coupling a third coil portion of the second receiver coil to a fourth coil portion.

[0076] Example 20 includes a vehicle as described in any one or more of Examples 14 to 19, the vehicle comprising: a third receiver coil including a fifth coil portion on a first layer of the PCB and a sixth coil portion on a second layer of the PCB; and a fourth receiver coil including a seventh coil portion on a first layer of the PCB and an eighth coil portion on a second layer of the PCB, the first receiver coil and the third receiver coil operating as a first sensor, and the second receiver coil and the fourth receiver coil operating as a second sensor.

[0077] Based on the foregoing, it should be understood that example systems, apparatuses, articles, and methods for implementing redundant inductive rotary transformers have been disclosed. The disclosed systems, apparatuses, articles, and methods provide redundant inductive rotary transformers that can be used in a vehicle SBW system and include redundant components such as redundant inductive rotary transformer sensors, redundant processors, redundant power management circuitry, and redundant ADCs. In this way, if the operating state of any of the inductive rotary transformer sensors, processors, power management circuitry, or ADCs changes to an offline, unavailable, or standby state, the operating components of the inductive rotary transformer sensors, processors, power management circuitry, and ADCs can be used to provide steering control for the vehicle. Therefore, the disclosed systems, apparatuses, articles, and methods relate to one or more improvements in the operation of systems such as SBW systems or vehicles.

[0078] The appended claims are hereby incorporated by reference into this specific embodiment. While certain example systems, devices, articles of manufacture, and methods have been disclosed herein, the scope of this patent is not limited thereto. Rather, this patent covers all systems, devices, articles of manufacture, and methods that fall fully within the scope of the claims of this patent.

[0079] According to the present invention, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB), the PCB including: a first power management circuit coupled to a first transmission coil; a second power management circuit; a first receiver coil including a first coil portion on a first layer of the PCB and a second coil portion on a second layer of the PCB; and a second receiver coil including a third coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a fourth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB, the second receiver coil being coaxially aligned with the first transmission coil and the first receiver coil.

[0080] According to an embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a second transmission coil coupled to the second power management circuit.

[0081] According to an embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by: a first processor coupled to the first receiver coil, the first processor being configured to receive a first signal corresponding to the first receiver coil, the first signal being based on the angular position of a target element coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil and the second receiver coil; and a second processor coupled to the second receiver coil, the second processor being configured to receive a second signal corresponding to the second receiver coil, the second signal being based on the angular position of the target element.

[0082] According to an embodiment, the first processor determines the angular position of the target based on the first signal from the first receiver coil.

[0083] According to an embodiment, the second processor, instead of the first processor, generates the steering control signal based on the operating state of at least one of the first processor, the first power management circuit, or the first receiver coil.

[0084] According to an embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by: a first through-hole extending between the first layer and the second layer, the first through-hole electrically coupling the first coil portion of the first receiver coil to the second coil portion; and a second through-hole extending between the first layer and the second layer, the second through-hole electrically coupling the third coil portion of the second receiver coil to the fourth coil portion.

[0085] According to an embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by: a third receiver coil, the third receiver coil including a fifth coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a sixth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB; and a fourth receiver coil, the fourth receiver coil including a seventh coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and an eighth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB, wherein the first receiver coil and the third receiver coil operate as a first sensor coupled to a first processor, and the second receiver coil and the fourth receiver coil operate as a second sensor coupled to a second processor.

[0086] According to an embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a target element coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil and the second receiver coil, the target element comprising a plurality of convex corners arranged radially.

[0087] According to the present invention, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB), the PCB including: a first power management circuit and a second power management circuit, the first power management circuit and the second power management circuit being coupled to respective first processors and second processors; a first receiver coil, the first receiver coil forming a circuit with the first processor, the first receiver coil including a first coil portion on a first layer of the PCB and a second coil portion on a second layer of the PCB; and a second receiver coil, the second receiver coil forming a circuit with the second processor and coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil, the second receiver coil including a third coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a fourth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB.

[0088] According to an embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by: a third receiver coil, the third receiver coil including a fifth coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a sixth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB; and a fourth receiver coil, the fourth receiver coil including a seventh coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and an eighth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB, wherein the first receiver coil and the third receiver coil operate as a first sensor, and the second receiver coil and the fourth receiver coil operate as a second sensor.

[0089] According to an embodiment, the printed circuit board is a component in the vehicle's steer-by-wire system.

[0090] According to an embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a target element coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil and the second receiver coil, the target element comprising a plurality of convex corners arranged radially.

[0091] According to an embodiment, the first processor determines the angular position of the target based on a first signal from the first receiver coil.

[0092] According to the present invention, a vehicle is provided, the vehicle having: a target component coupled to a steering shaft; a printed circuit board (PCB) in a steer-by-wire system, the PCB including: a first power management circuit and a second power management circuit coupled to corresponding first analog-to-digital converters (ADCs); a first receiver coil including a first coil portion on a first layer of the PCB and a second coil portion on a second layer of the PCB, the first receiver coil being coupled to the first ADC; and a second receiver coil including a third coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a fourth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB, the second receiver coil being coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil, the second receiver coil being coupled to the second ADC.

[0093] According to an embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by: a first processor coupled to the first receiver coil, the first processor being configured to receive a first signal corresponding to the first receiver coil, the first signal being based on the angular position of the target element coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil and the second receiver coil; and a second processor coupled to the second receiver coil, the second processor being configured to receive a second signal corresponding to the second receiver coil, the second signal being based on the angular position of the target element.

[0094] According to an embodiment, the first analog-to-digital converter is coupled between the first receiver coil and the first processor; and the second analog-to-digital converter is coupled between the second receiver coil and the second processor, wherein the second analog-to-digital converter, instead of the first analog-to-digital converter, generates a steering control signal based on the unavailability of at least one of the first processor, the first power management circuit, the first receiver coil, or the first analog-to-digital converter.

[0095] According to an embodiment, the first processor determines the angular position of the target based on the first signal from the first receiver coil.

[0096] According to an embodiment, the steer-by-wire system will use the second processor instead of the first processor based on the operating state of the first processor.

[0097] According to an embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by: a first through-hole extending between the first layer and the second layer, the first through-hole coupling the first coil portion of the first receiver coil to the second coil portion; and a second through-hole extending between the first layer and the second layer, the second through-hole coupling the third coil portion of the second receiver coil to the fourth coil portion.

[0098] According to an embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by: a third receiver coil, the third receiver coil including a fifth coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a sixth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB; and a fourth receiver coil, the fourth receiver coil including a seventh coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and an eighth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB, wherein the first receiver coil and the third receiver coil operate as a first sensor, and the second receiver coil and the fourth receiver coil operate as a second sensor.

Claims

1. An apparatus, the apparatus comprising: A printed circuit board (PCB), the PCB comprising: A first power management circuit, the first power management circuit being coupled to a first transmission coil; Second power management circuit; A first receiver coil, the first receiver coil including a first coil portion on a first layer of the PCB and a second coil portion on a second layer of the PCB; and The second receiver coil includes a third coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a fourth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB, and the second receiver coil is coaxially aligned with the first transmission coil and the first receiver coil.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second transmission coil coupled to the second power management circuit.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: A first processor, coupled to the first receiver coil, is configured to receive a first signal corresponding to the first receiver coil, the first signal being based on the angular position of a target coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil and the second receiver coil; as well as A second processor, coupled to the second receiver coil, is configured to receive a second signal corresponding to the second receiver coil, the second signal being based on the angular position of the target element.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the first processor determines the angular position of the target based on the first signal from the first receiver coil.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the second processor, rather than the first processor, generates the steering control signal based on the operating state of at least one of the first processor, the first power management circuit, or the first receiver coil.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises: A first through-hole extends between the first layer and the second layer, and the first through-hole electrically couples the first coil portion of the first receiver coil to the second coil portion. as well as The second through-hole extends between the first layer and the second layer, and the second through-hole electrically couples the third coil portion of the second receiver coil to the fourth coil portion.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises: The third receiver coil includes a fifth coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a sixth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB; as well as The fourth receiver coil includes a seventh coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and an eighth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB. The first receiver coil and the third receiver coil operate as a first sensor coupled to a first processor, and the second receiver coil and the fourth receiver coil operate as a second sensor coupled to a second processor.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a target element coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil and the second receiver coil, the target element comprising a plurality of convex corners arranged radially.

9. An apparatus, the apparatus comprising: A printed circuit board (PCB), the PCB comprising: A first power management circuit and a second power management circuit are coupled to a corresponding first processor and a second processor. A first receiver coil, the first receiver coil forming a circuit with the first processor, the first receiver coil including a first coil portion on a first layer of the PCB and a second coil portion on a second layer of the PCB; and The second receiver coil forms a circuit with the second processor and is coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil. The second receiver coil includes a third coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a fourth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the device comprises: The third receiver coil includes a fifth coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a sixth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB; as well as The fourth receiver coil includes a seventh coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and an eighth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB. The first receiver coil and the third receiver coil operate as a first sensor, and the second receiver coil and the fourth receiver coil operate as a second sensor.

11. The device of claim 9, further comprising a target element coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil and the second receiver coil, the target element comprising a plurality of convex corners arranged radially.

12. A vehicle, the vehicle comprising: The target component is connected to the steering shaft; A printed circuit board (PCB) in a steer-by-wire system, the PCB comprising: A first power management circuit and a second power management circuit, the first power management circuit and the second power management circuit being coupled to a corresponding first analog-to-digital converter and a second analog-to-digital converter; A first receiver coil, comprising a first coil portion on a first layer of the PCB and a second coil portion on a second layer of the PCB, the first receiver coil being coupled to the first analog-to-digital converter; and The second receiver coil includes a third coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a fourth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB. The second receiver coil is coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil and is coupled to the second analog-to-digital converter.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, further comprising: A first processor, coupled to a first receiver coil, is configured to receive a first signal corresponding to the first receiver coil, the first signal being based on the angular position of the target element coaxially aligned with the first receiver coil and the second receiver coil; as well as A second processor, coupled to the second receiver coil, is configured to receive a second signal corresponding to the second receiver coil, the second signal being based on the angular position of the target element.

14. The vehicle as claimed in claim 13, wherein: The first analog-to-digital converter is coupled between the first receiver coil and the first processor; and The second analog-to-digital converter is coupled between the second receiver coil and the second processor, and the second analog-to-digital converter, instead of the first analog-to-digital converter, generates a steering control signal based on the unavailability of at least one of the first processor, the first power management circuit, the first receiver coil, or the first analog-to-digital converter.

15. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the vehicle comprises: The third receiver coil includes a fifth coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and a sixth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB; as well as The fourth receiver coil includes a seventh coil portion on the first layer of the PCB and an eighth coil portion on the second layer of the PCB. The first receiver coil and the third receiver coil operate as a first sensor, and the second receiver coil and the fourth receiver coil operate as a second sensor.

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