Monolithic Inductive Sensor With Integrated Safety Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inductive sensors in automotive applications face challenges in achieving high Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) requirements, particularly in ensuring functional safety and identifying malfunctioning behavior to prevent unreasonable risks.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a first and second angle measurement path, an amplitude regulation path, and a safety path on a monolithic semiconductor device within an inductive sensor, which includes components for determining angular position, regulating signal amplitudes, and performing safety checks, respectively, to ensure reliable operation and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple measurement paths and safety paths are implemented separately, then functional safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple measurement paths (first and second angle measurement paths) and safety paths onto a single monolithic semiconductor device. This merging approach maintains the functional safety and reliability benefits of having multiple independent measurement and safety verification paths while eliminating the complexity and size increase that would result from implementing these paths as separate discrete components. The monolithic integration allows all paths to coexist on one chip with shared support infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic semiconductor device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it performs angle measurement through multiple measurement paths, regulates signal amplitudes through an amplitude regulation path, and executes safety checks through integrated safety paths. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of having multiple independent functional paths.
2Reliability
If multiple measurement paths and safety paths are implemented separately, then functional safety and reliability are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement paths, amplitude regulation path, and safety paths into a single monolithic semiconductor device. This integration dramatically reduces manufacturing cost compared to producing and assembling multiple separate discrete components. The monolithic fabrication process allows all functional paths to be manufactured simultaneously in high volumes using standard semiconductor manufacturing techniques, achieving economies of scale that would be impossible with separate component assembly.
3Measurement precision
If safety checks are performed on multiple measurement paths, then identification of malfunctioning behavior is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates safety paths that perform safety checks on multiple measurement paths within a single monolithic semiconductor device. This integration maintains the ability to identify malfunctioning behavior with high precision through multiple independent safety verification paths while avoiding the device complexity increase that would result from implementing these safety checks as separate external components. The monolithic structure allows efficient interconnection and resource sharing among all paths.
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
The integrated solution enhances the inductive sensor's safety by reducing size and cost while meeting high ASIL requirements, such as ASIL C or ASIL D, by identifying and signaling malfunctioning behavior effectively.
Implementation Method 1
An inductive sensor uses the principle of electromagnetic induction to determine a position (e.g., a linear position or an angular position) of an object. A general functioning principle of an inductive sensor is based on an alternating current (AC) signal being applied to an excitation coil which, in turn, induces signals in one or more receiving coils.
Data Source
AI summary
An inductive sensor may include a first angle measurement path associated with determining an angular position based on a first set of input signals. The inductive sensor may include a second angle measurement path associated with determining an angular position based on a second set of input signals. The inductive sensor may include an amplitude regulation path associated with regulating amplitudes of a set of output signals. The inductive sensor may include a safety path associated with performing one or more safety checks. Each safety check of the one or more safety checks may be associated with at least one of the first angle measurement path, the second angle measurement path, or the amplitude regulation path.