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:
Feb. 03, 2004
Filed:
Dec. 21, 2001
Thomas R. Maher, Rehoboth, MA (US);
John A. Powning, Providence, RI (US);
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
An application specific integrated circuit or ASIC (MSC) is connected to a plurality of bridge type sense elements ( ) for analog multiplexing ( ) the outputs from a selected sense element to a common signal conditioning path ( ). The bridge type sense elements are biased through an electronically programmable resistor ( ) to derive a temperature signal. The signal conditioning path provides electronically programmable correction for offset and gain proportional to the sensed condition, e.g., fluid pressure. Complete sensor characterization data provided at the time of manufacture is stored in non-volatile memory ( ) which is downloaded to a host controller ( ) on command. The ASIC also includes diagnostic test bridges (BR BR ) for diagnosing ASIC faults and a signal diagnostic path ( ) for diagnosing sense element and sense element connection faults. Characterization data downloaded to the host controller enables the controller to mathematically correct remaining temperature, condition (e.g., pressure) and diagnostic signal errors,