Microchip Technology Germany Gmbh

Holger Erkens

Holger Steffens

Claus Kaltner

Andreas Dorfner

Stefan Burger

Provided is a method for adapting the sensitivity of a sensor system, in particular of a capacitive sensor system, which provides a sensor signal, wherein

Method for adapting the sensitivity of a sensor system

An electrode configuration for a capacitive sensor device has a transmitting electrode and a receiving electrode, wherein the transmitting electrode can be brought into a capacitive coupling with the receiving electrode, wherein the electrode configuration has at least one first and second sensor area, wherein both of the electrode surfaces of the transmitting electrode and of the receiving electrode in the first sensor area are small compared to the electrode surfaces of the transmitting electrode and of the receiving electrode in the second sensor area. A capacitive sensor device for the detection of an approximation may have such an electrode configuration. An electrical device, particularly an electrical hand-held device, may have at least one such capacitive sensor device.

Electrode configuration for a capacitive sensor device and a capacitive sensor device for the detection of an approximation

A capacitive proximity sensor has a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode, a signal generator for providing a first and a second electric alternating signal, a first load element which comprises a first and a second electric load, in which the first alternating signal by the first load can be fed to the first sensor electrode and the second alternating signal by the second load to the second sensor electrode, and wherein the electric loads each together with the capacitive load to be measured at the respective sensor electrode form a lowpass filter, and a signal processing device, which is coupled with the first sensor electrode and with the second sensor electrode, and which is adapted to form a first measurement value from the push-pull portion of a first electric parameter tapped at the first sensor electrode and a second electric parameter tapped at the second sensor electrode.

Capacitive proximity sensor as well as method for capacitive approximation detection

A method for the detection of a gripping of a hand-held device with one hand, using a capacitive sensor device, uses at least one transmitting electrode, at least one compensating electrode and at least one receiving electrode. An electrical signal is tapped at the receiving electrode and the sensor device can be operated in a first operating mode and in a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, a first alternating electrical signal is applied to the transmitting electrode and a second alternating electrical signal is applied to the compensating electrode. In the second operating mode, the second alternating signal is only applied to the compensating electrode. Furthermore, a sensor device can be provided which is configured to perform the method as described above.

Method and sensor device for the detection of a gripping of a hand-held device

A capacitive sensor device for a handheld radio transceiver for estimating a specific absorption rate (SAR) can be coupled with at least one first electrode, wherein during the operation of the handheld radio transceiver the first electrode is at the same time a sensor electrode of the capacitive sensor device and an antenna of the handheld radio transceiver. Moreover a handheld radio transceiver with such a capacitive sensor device can be provided. Moreover, a method can be provided for adjusting a transmission power of a handheld radio transceiver, wherein an approach of an object to the handheld radio transceiver is detected and wherein depending on the detected approach the transmission power of the handheld radio transceiver is increased or reduced.

Capacitive sensor device and radio transceiver with a capacitive sensor device and a method for adjusting a transmission power of a handheld radio transceiver

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Düsseldorf, Germany

Holger Erkens