Other

Robert Boschgmbh

Conti Temic Microelectronic Gmbh

Stefan Schaeffer

Werner Nitschke

Guenter Anton Fendt

Johannes Rinkens

Michael Bischoff

Joachim Bauer

Otto Karl

Norbert Mueller

Thomas Huber

Werner Steiner

Peter Schaedler

Ruediger Deppe

Peter Steiner

Micheal Bischoff

Previously in a bus system, voltage signals were transmitted from the central unit to the modules, which could reply thereto by variation of the current input. A disadvantage thereby is the relatively high susceptibility to interference of the current input, which itself already must be kept relatively small due to the energy consumption, as well as the correspondingly high effort and expense for an error-free recognition of the signals transmitted from the modules in the central unit. It is now suggested, that the modules also answer to the central unit by means of voltage signals superposed on the direct supply voltage, whereby for the time duration of the signal transmission by the modules, the central unit provides the direct supply voltage to the bus line over a resistor, so that the voltage signal of the module can be detected in the central unit on the bus line on the side of the resistor facing away from the direct supply voltage. A preferred application for bus systems in motor vehicles, especially for a sensor data bus, is provided.

Method for the transmission of signals in a bus system, superposed on a direct supply voltage

A method for having the control unit access the measured data of individual sensors flexibly over time, and includes providing for the control unit to transmit a request message to the sensors, and having each sensor, by comparing the request message with its own address, derive whether and in what time slot, it should transmit its measured data to the control unit.

Method for data transmission between a control unit for restraint devices and sensors

An arrangement for generating digital signals on first and second bus lines is tolerant of most line faults, and includes modules connected to both lines, an upper switch between a first potential and the first line, a middle switch between the two lines, and a lower switch between the second line and a second potential lower than the first potential. The switches are controlled to generate digital signals as the potential difference between the two lines. If a fault potential (e.g. a short to ground or other potential) arises on one line, then the switches drive the non-faulty line to provide the required signals relative to the fault potential on the faulty line. Closing the middle switch ensures that the two lines are at the same potential for a low signal. This arrangement is for is signaling in various bus systems, e.g. in vehicle occupant protection systems in motor vehicles.

Signaling output stage for generating digital voltage signals on a bus system

An unintended triggering of a safety device, such as an airbag in an occupant protection system, especially in motor vehicles is prevented by storing already during manufacturing of the module or modules, a blocking information in a memory location of the module or modules. The blocking information is preferably temporarily stored in place of a rated information, which is then overwritten when the module has been installed in the protection system for activating the system. In addition, the module is protected against electromagnetic and/or electrostatic disturbances at the input to the bus system.

Control method and module for occupant protection systems with an action to prevent premature triggering

Information data and energy are transmitted from a central control to control modules through a bus system in an occupant protection system including occupant protection devices such as airbags. In order to avoid overloading the protection system due to an immediate recharging of an energy storage member after that member triggers an occupant protection device, such recharging is suppressed or interrupted, preferably until a reset command signal is received by the respective control module from the central control.

Method for transmitting power and data in a bus system provided for occupant protection devices

In occupant protection systems having a large number of sensors and control modules for triggering occupant protection devices, the amount of wiring is significantly increased if they are to be communicatively connected to a central unit. For this reason, bus systems have already been suggested for the control modules for triggering occupant protection devices. In order to further reduce in the wiring, sensors are at least partially integrated into a bus system with additional control modules that are allocated to these sensors. Within the context of a diagnosis process of interrogation and response, which triggers a function test of the control modules for triggering the occupant protection devices, an actual sensor value is sent to the bus system from the control modules of the sensors as a diagnosis response. This response is processed by the central unit and/or the other control modules.

Occupant protection system having a central unit, sensors and a plurality of control modules which are connected by means of a bus system

Before digital data impulses are transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver that includes a data acquisition signal generator, at least one synchronizing impulse (syn,) is transmitted for synchronizing the transmitter with the receiver with regard to a sync frequency that is repeatedly updated to provide a current accepted sync frequency. The at least one synchronizing impulse and the data impulses are Manchester encoded which combines timing (synchronizing) and data signals. An impulse flank change occurring centrally in an impulse width is used as a synchronization point of time. Stepping pulses occurring between two consecutive synchronization points of time are counted and the resulting count is used to determine the sync frequency in response to the occurrence of a synchronizing impulse and at a synchronization point of time. A time shift or delay occurs between data impulses and synchronization points of time. This delay is taken into account by a corresponding time shift in the scanning of the logic levels &ldquo;0&rdquo; and &ldquo;1&rdquo; of the data impulses. This type of signal transmission is especially suitable for a signal bus in a passenger protection system.

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Schrobenhausen, Germany

Stefan Schaeffer