Angle Sensor Safety Mechanism for ASIL Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Angle sensors in automotive applications face challenges in ensuring functional safety, particularly in meeting high Automotive Safety Integrity Levels (ASIL) requirements due to potential malfunctioning behavior, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a safety mechanism in angle sensors that includes multiple angle measurement paths using different sets of sensing elements, such as magnetoresistive and Hall-based sensing elements, to determine angular positions and perform safety checks like x-component and y-component checks, vector length checks, and comparison checks, to detect failures and ensure functional safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple angle measurement paths with different sensing elements are used, then functional safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The angle sensor is divided into multiple independent measurement paths (first angle measurement path with first sensing elements, second angle measurement path with second sensing elements), each capable of independently determining angular position. This segmentation allows redundancy and fault detection while maintaining manageable complexity within each path.
Solution Approach 2:
A safety path is introduced as an intermediary component that receives data from multiple measurement paths and performs safety checks (x-component check, y-component check, vector length check). This intermediary layer coordinates the redundant paths and manages the complexity of safety validation centrally.
2Measurement precision
If safety checks are performed on sensor values from multiple measurement paths, then measurement precision and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Safety checks (x-component check, y-component check, vector length check) are performed preliminarily on sensor values before final angle determination. This preliminary validation ensures data quality and detects faults early, improving measurement precision while organizing complexity into structured validation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety path provides feedback by comparing sensor values from different measurement paths and validating them against expected physical constraints (vector length, component relationships). This feedback mechanism improves measurement precision by filtering invalid data while managing complexity through systematic comparison protocols.
3Reliability
If redundant sensing elements and measurement paths are implemented, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensing elements (first sensing elements, second sensing elements) are designed with universal functionality to determine angular position through different physical principles (e.g., magnetoresistive, Hall-based). This universality allows redundant components to be manufactured using similar processes while providing diversity in measurement approaches, improving reliability without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the functional safety of angle sensors by identifying malfunctions and providing error indications, thereby meeting high ASIL requirements and ensuring the reliability of angular position measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a first angle measurement path to determine an angular position based on first sensor values from a first set of sensing elements, wherein the first sensor values include a first x-component of a magnetic field and a first y-component of the magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
a second angle measurement path to determine the angular position based on second sensor values from a second set of sensing elements, wherein the second sensor values include a second x-component of the magnetic field and a second y-component of the magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, an angle sensor may determine an angular position of an object based on first sensor values received from a first set of sensing elements. The first sensor values include a first x-component of a magnetic field and a first y-component of the magnetic field. The angle sensor may determine the angular position of the object based on second sensor values received from a second set of sensing elements. The second sensor values include a second x-component of the magnetic field and a second y-component of the magnetic field. The angle sensor may perform a set of safety checks, including performing an x-component check based on the first x-component and the second x-component and performing a y-component check based on the first y-component and the second y-component. The angle sensor may provide an indication of a result of the set of safety checks.