The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 11, 2003
Filed:
Sep. 14, 2001
Thomas R. Maher, Rehoboth, MA (US);
David L. Corkum, Attleboro, MA (US);
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
A full Wheatstone bridge sensor has conditioning electronics of an ASIC connected thereto. Two independently controlled diagnostic switches (S1, S2) in the ASIC are commonly connected to one of the bridge output nodes. The first diagnostic switch connects first resistor between the bridge output node and bridge supply voltage and the second diagnostic switch connects a second resistor between the bridge output and bridge ground. The first diagnostic switch closes during a first diagnostic waveform phase and opens during all other phases of operation. The second diagnostic switch closes during a second and third waveform phase and opens during all other phases of operation. The diagnostic waveforms are used to test major signal conditioning and fault reporting paths of the ASIC.