Sensor Module Coherency Checking for Error-Free Signal Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor modules with redundant signal acquisition and processing lack reliable error detection and transmission, leading to potential security flaws and zero diagnostic coverage for low-probability errors, especially in high-safety applications like vehicle OBD systems.
Innovation Solution
A sensor module with integrated checking devices that verify the coherency of processed signals from multiple sensors, providing a separate check result signal to ensure error-free transmission and enhance diagnostic coverage, using independent processing clock signals and potentially modifying the output signal to flag errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If redundant sensor signal acquisition and processing is implemented in a common chip or package with a common output stage, then cost is reduced, but error-free transmission of processed sensor signals and reliable error detection cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensor module into separate functional components: individual sensor units with their own processing devices, a control device that receives processed signals, and a separate checking device that monitors transmission integrity. This segmentation allows redundant signal paths to be implemented while maintaining error detection capabilities, resolving the contradiction between cost-effective integration and reliable error-free transmission.
2Reliability
If redundant sensor signal acquisition and processing is implemented, then diagnostic coverage for sensor errors is improved, but diagnostic coverage for transmission and control device errors remains zero
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a checking device that continuously monitors the transmission of processed sensor signals from processing devices to the control device. This feedback mechanism detects transmission errors and control device malfunctions, providing complete diagnostic coverage for all error sources including previously undetectable transmission and control device errors.
3Device complexity
If a common output stage is used for redundant sensor signals, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect errors in transmission channels and control device function is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a checking device as an intermediary component between the control device and the external interface. This checking device intercepts and verifies the sensor module signal before output, enabling error detection in transmission channels and control device function without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention suggests a sensor module (10) for providing a sensor module signal (OUT) comprising information representative of a physical quantity measured by means of the sensor module (10), comprising: a first sensor (12-1) for providing a first sensor signal (SS1) representative of the physical quantity; a first processing device (20-1) for processing the first sensor signal (SS1) to provide a processed first sensor signal (SS1'); a second sensor (12-2) for providing a second sensor signal (SS2) representative of the physical quantity; a second processing device (20-2) for processing the second sensor signal (SS2) to provide a processed second sensor signal (SS2'); a control device (30) for generating the sensor module signal (OUT) based on the processed first sensor signal (SS1') and the processed second sensor signal (SS2'); and a checking device (40) for checking the sensor module signal (OUT), the processed first sensor signal (SS1') and the processed second sensor signal (SS2') for coherency, and for providing a check result signal (EF) representative of a result of the check. Furthermore, the invention proposes a corresponding method for providing a sensor module signal (OUT).