JP2015228171A - Sensor system, sensor, and sensor signal output method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow output data of at least two sensors to be obtained in the same period and to provide a sensor system and a sensor with simple configurations.SOLUTION: A first input terminal of a controller 41 and an input/output terminal of a first sensor 42 are connected together, a second input terminal of the controller 41 and an input/output terminal of a second sensor 43 are connected together, and an input/output terminal of the first sensor 42 and an input/output terminal of the second sensor 43 are connected together. The second sensor 43 receives a first sensor signal and outputs second sensor signals in series containing a second synchronization signal and second sensor data based on the second synchronization signal in response to the first sensor signal. The second sensor 43 is particularly desirable as a sensor of a SENT standard.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor system, a sensor, and a sensor signal output method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sensor system, a sensor, and a sensor signal output method corresponding to an in-vehicle communication standard.

Conventionally, in-vehicle sensors, control devices using in-vehicle sensors, systems using in-vehicle sensors, and the like are known. Specifically, a sensor detects a current, a speed, an angle, a position, a rotation direction, a rotation speed, a rotation angle, and the like related to a control target, and control is performed based on the detected sensor signal.
There are various in-vehicle communication standards such as PSI5 (Peripheral Sensor Interface 5) communication, DSI (Distributed System Interface) communication, SENT (Single Edge Nibble Interface) standard as communication standards between the in-vehicle sensor and the control device. Various sensors have been proposed in response to such communication standards for in-vehicle sensors.

For example, Patent Literature 1 is a sensor including a bidirectional node, and configured to transmit sensor data as a serial data signal in the bidirectional node in response to a trigger signal received in the bidirectional node. A sensor is disclosed.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a sensor system described in Patent Document 1, and is a block diagram showing a sensor system having one or more sensor functions synchronized by a trigger signal received by a bidirectional node of the sensor. FIG.

  The sensor system 10 is a sensor system for synchronizing sensor output data in response to a received trigger signal and includes a sensor 14a that senses a parameter associated with an object 18 that can be controlled by the control module 12. Yes. The sensor 14a includes a bidirectional node 16a that generates, updates, and optionally stores sensor data (such as a latch). Further, the sensor data is transmitted to the system controller 20 by a serial data signal 26a. Transmission of the serial data signal 26a and storage of sensor data in some embodiments also occurs in response to a trigger signal 24a received at the bidirectional node.

The sensor that generated the serial data signal 26a and the controller that generated the trigger signal 24a are carried on a common communication bus OUT1. Out1 is coupled between the sensor bidirectional node 16a and the controller. Sensor 14a is further coupled to controller 20 through a power source (ie, _VCC connection 25 and ground connection 28) as shown. The controller 20 can provide a feedback signal 22 to the control module 12 that is used to control the object 18.

In this configuration, the transmission of sensor data is synchronized by a trigger signal 24a received at the bidirectional node 16a. The bidirectional node 16a is the same node where the sensor output data is supplied by the serial data signal 26a. Such synchronization of sensor data can reduce sensor output data latency.
Otherwise, the number of sensor connections required to allow the sensor to receive external synchronization signals is also reduced. The reduced pin count not only reduces cost and circuit area, but also reduces the effects of magnetic field interference (EMI). In some embodiments, both data storage and output data transmission functions can be synchronized in this manner to reduce or eliminate ambiguity in sensor output data age. Reference numeral 30 denotes a processor, 32 denotes a memory, and 34 denotes a transceiver.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the sensor system described in Patent Document 2. A control unit terminal and two sensor terminals are connected to one node, and the two sensors are identified by a request signal sent from the control unit. It is a block diagram which shows the system which can do. This Patent Document 2 discloses a sensor system 100 including a first sensor 104, a second sensor 106, and a control unit 102 that communicates with the two sensors.

JP 2013-546096 A US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0046773

A system having a redundant circuit configuration used for an automobile or the like that supports functional safety is effective due to the coincidence or mismatch of data obtained from at least two sensors, that is, the system is functioning normally, or Determine if it is abnormal.
However, in a conventional system having at least two sensors and a control unit that communicates with each sensor, output data obtained from each sensor in accordance with the in-vehicle communication standard is output data obtained during the same period. Not limited to, even in a normal state, there is a high possibility that two or more pieces of data transmitted do not match. Further, the control unit needs to communicate with each sensor in both directions.
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem. The object of the present invention is that output data of at least two or more sensors is output data of the sensors obtained in the same period, and is simple. And a sensor signal output method.

  The present invention has been made to achieve such an object, and the invention according to claim 1 provides a first synchronization signal and first sensor data based on the first synchronization signal. A first sensor that serially outputs a first sensor signal including the first sensor signal, and a second synchronization signal in response to the input first sensor signal. A second sensor that serially outputs a second sensor signal including second sensor data based on the second synchronization signal, and inputs the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal. And a control unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first sensor data having a first output terminal, the first synchronization signal being based on the first synchronization signal and the first synchronization signal from the first output terminal. And a first input / output terminal connected to the first output terminal, and in response to the first sensor signal, A second sensor for serially outputting a second sensor signal including a second synchronization signal and second sensor data based on the second synchronization signal from a first input / output terminal; A sensor system comprising: a control unit having a second input terminal connected to the first output terminal; and a third input terminal connected to the first input / output terminal. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the format of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal is such that serial data is a single edge nibble transmission ( It has a format selected from SENT), Peripheral Serial Interface 5 (PSI5), Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), or Distributed System Interface (DSI).
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the second sensor has an input / output terminal, and the first sensor signal is the input signal. The second sensor signal is input to the output terminal, and the second sensor signal is output from the input / output terminal.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second sensor responds to the first synchronization signal in response to the second synchronization signal. A sensor signal is output to the control unit.
The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein the second sensor stores the second sensor data in synchronization with the first synchronization signal. And
The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6, wherein the second sensor is configured to output the second sensor signal after a predetermined time has elapsed since the output of the first sensor signal was completed. Is output.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein the second sensor data is stored in synchronization with the first synchronization signal, and the first synchronization signal is used as a reference. The time until the output of the first sensor signal is completed is calculated, and the second sensor signal is output after the time has elapsed.
The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second sensor includes a synchronization signal detection circuit for detecting the first synchronization signal. It is characterized by having.
The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the second sensor is the next fall from the fall of the first sensor signal, or The synchronization signal is detected by calculating the time from the rise of the first sensor signal to the next rise.

In addition, according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the first sensor signal includes a first trigger signal, the first synchronization signal, and the first synchronization signal. The second sensor outputs the second sensor signal to the control unit in response to the first trigger signal of the first sensor signal. To do.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the eleventh aspect, the first trigger signal is arranged before the first synchronization signal.
The invention described in claim 13 is the invention described in claim 11 or 12, wherein the first sensor signal includes a first trigger signal, the first synchronization signal, and the sensor data. The second trigger signal, the second sensor stores sensor data of the second sensor itself in synchronization with the first trigger signal, and is synchronized with the second trigger signal. Then, the second sensor signal is output to the control.

The invention according to claim 14 is the invention according to claim 13, wherein the second trigger signal is arranged after the first sensor data.
The invention according to claim 15 is the invention according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the second sensor has a trigger signal detection circuit for detecting the first trigger signal. It is characterized by.
According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the eleventh to fifteenth aspects, the second sensor detects a falling edge or a rising edge of the first trigger signal. Features.

The invention according to claim 17 is the invention according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the first sensor has the first trigger signal before the first synchronization signal. And a trigger signal generation circuit.
The invention described in claim 18 is the invention described in any one of claims 11-17, wherein the first sensor is arranged in front of the first synchronization signal. It has a trigger signal generation circuit which generates a trigger signal and the 2nd trigger signal arranged after the sensor data.
The invention described in claim 19 is the invention described in any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the second sensor signal includes a third trigger signal, the second synchronization signal, and the second synchronization signal. And the second sensor data, wherein the first sensor stores the first sensor signal in response to the third trigger signal of the second sensor signal. .

The invention according to claim 20 is the invention according to claim 19, wherein the second sensor signal includes a third trigger signal, the second synchronization signal, and the second sensor data. And the fourth trigger signal, wherein the first sensor stores the first sensor data in synchronization with the third trigger signal, and synchronizes with the fourth trigger signal. The third sensor signal is output to the control unit.
The invention according to claim 21 is the invention according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the second sensor signal is a third trigger signal arranged before the second synchronization signal; The fourth trigger signal arranged after the second sensor data, and the first sensor stores the first sensor data in synchronization with the third trigger signal, The third sensor signal is output to the control unit in synchronization with a fourth trigger signal.

The invention according to claim 22 is the invention according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the second sensor is controlled from sensing data in response to the first synchronization signal. The second sensor data to be output to the unit is marked.
The invention according to claim 23 is the invention according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the second sensor is controlled from sensing data in synchronization with the first synchronization signal. The second sensor data to be output to the unit is marked.
According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the invention, in the invention of the twenty-second or twenty-third aspect, the second sensor selects and stores the second sensor data marked from the sensing data. Features.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the eleventh to twentieth aspects, the second sensor senses sensing data in response to a trigger signal of the first sensor signal. The second sensor data to be output to the control unit is marked.
According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the eleventh to twentieth aspects, the second sensor is controlled from sensing data in synchronization with the first synchronization signal. The second sensor data to be output to the unit is marked.
The invention according to claim 27 is the invention according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the second sensor selects sensor data marked from the sensing data and outputs the selected sensor data to the control unit. Features.

The invention according to claim 28 is the invention according to any one of claims 22 to 27, wherein the marking is performed by giving a designation signal to the least significant bit or the most significant bit of data. It is characterized by being.
According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the twenty-first to twenty-seventh aspects, the second sensor has a marking portion to be marked and sensor data based on a synchronization signal as a reference. And an encoder for converting the data into the format, and data marked by the encoder is selected.

  The invention according to claim 30 is a sensor having an input / output terminal and outputting a sensor signal serially including a synchronization signal and sensor data based on the synchronization signal. The other sensor signal including the other synchronization signal and the other sensor data based on the other synchronization signal is serially input to the input / output terminal, and in response to the other sensor signal, It is a sensor that outputs the sensor signal from the input / output terminal.

  Further, in the invention described in claim 31, in the invention described in claim 30, the format of the sensor signal is such that serial data is single edge nibble transmission (SENT), peripheral serial interface 5 (PSI5), It has a format selected from Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) or Distributed System Interface (DSI).

According to a thirty-second aspect of the invention, in the invention of the thirty-third or thirty-first aspect, the sensor signal is output from the input / output terminal in response to the other synchronization signal.
According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, in the thirty-second aspect of the present invention, the sensor data is stored in synchronization with the other synchronization signal.
According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the invention, in the invention of the thirty-second or thirty-third aspect, the sensor data is stored in synchronization with the other synchronization signal, and the output of the other sensor signal is completed. The sensor signal is output from the input / output terminal after a predetermined time has elapsed.

The invention described in claim 35 is the invention described in any one of claims 32 to 34, further comprising a synchronization signal detection circuit for detecting the other synchronization signal.
Further, in the invention of claim 36, in the invention of claim 35, the other synchronization signal is detected by calculating a time from the fall of the other sensor signal to the next fall. It is characterized by doing.
The invention according to claim 37 is the invention according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the other sensor signal includes a first trigger signal, the other synchronization signal, and the other sensor data. The sensor stores the sensor signal in response to the first trigger signal.

  The invention according to claim 38 is the invention according to claim 37, wherein the other sensor signal includes a first trigger signal, the other synchronization signal, the other sensor data, and the A second trigger signal, wherein the sensor stores the sensor data in synchronization with the first trigger signal, and transmits the sensor signal from the input / output terminal in synchronization with the second trigger signal. It is characterized by outputting.

  The invention according to claim 39 is the invention according to claim 37 or 38, wherein the other sensor signal includes a first trigger signal arranged before the other synchronization signal, and the other trigger signal. And the second trigger signal arranged after the sensor data, wherein the sensor stores the sensor data in synchronization with the first trigger signal and in synchronization with the second trigger signal. The sensor signal is output from the control input / output terminal.

The invention according to claim 40 is the invention according to any one of claims 37 to 39, further comprising a trigger signal detection circuit for detecting the first trigger signal.
The invention according to claim 41 is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of claims 37 to 40, the falling edge of the first trigger signal is detected.
The invention according to claim 42 is the invention according to any one of claims 37 to 41, comprising a third trigger signal, the synchronization signal, and the sensor data. To do.

The invention according to claim 43 is the invention according to claim 42, wherein the sensor signal includes a third trigger signal, the synchronization signal, the sensor data, and the fourth trigger signal. , Including.
The invention according to claim 44 is the invention according to claim 42 or 43, wherein the sensor signal is arranged after the third trigger signal arranged before the synchronization signal and after the sensor data. And the fourth trigger signal.

The invention according to claim 45 is the invention according to any one of claims 32 to 36, wherein the sensor is responsive to the other synchronization signal to output the input / output of sensing data. The sensor data output from the terminal is marked.
The invention according to claim 46 is the invention according to any one of claims 32 to 36, wherein the sensor is connected to the input / output of sensing data in synchronization with the other synchronization signal. Sensor data output from the terminal is marked.

The invention according to claim 47 is the invention according to claim 45 or 46, wherein the sensor selects sensor data marked from the sensing data and outputs the selected sensor data from the input / output terminal. And
According to a 48th aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the 32nd to 36th aspects of the present invention, the sensor responds to a trigger signal of the other sensor signal in the front of the sensing data. The sensor data output from the entry output terminal is marked.

The invention according to claim 49 is the invention according to any one of claims 32 to 36, wherein the sensor is configured to output the input / output of sensing data in synchronization with the other synchronization signal. Sensor data output from the terminal is marked.
The invention according to claim 50 is the invention according to claim 48 or 49, wherein the sensor selects sensor data marked from the sensing data and outputs the selected sensor data. And

The invention according to claim 51 is the invention according to any one of claims 45 to 50, wherein the marking is performed by giving a designation signal to the least significant bit or the most significant bit of the data. It is characterized by being.
The invention according to claim 52 is the invention according to any one of claims 45 to 51, wherein the sensor is configured to format the sensor data in a predetermined format based on a marking portion to be marked and a synchronization signal. And an encoder that converts the data marked by the encoder.

  According to a 53rd aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first sensor having a first input / output terminal for outputting a first sensor signal in the SENT format, and a second sensor signal for outputting a second sensor signal in the SENT format. A control having a second sensor having two input / output terminals, a first input terminal to which the first sensor signal is input, and a second input terminal to which the second sensor signal is input. , A first transmission line connecting the first input / output terminal and the first input terminal, and a second transmission connecting the second input / output terminal and the second input terminal. A sensor system comprising: a line; and a third transmission line connecting the first transmission line and the second transmission line.

  According to a 54th aspect of the present invention, the first sensor signal including the first synchronization signal and the first sensor data based on the first synchronization signal is serially output. A second step of detecting the first synchronization signal, and using the second synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal as a reference in response to the detected first synchronization signal. And a third step of serially outputting a second sensor signal including the second sensor data to be output.

  According to the present invention, the control unit does not have to generate a trigger or a request signal and transmit it to the sensor. Therefore, not only the trigger signal generation circuit is unnecessary, but also an output buffer is not required, and a simple configuration can be achieved.

It is a block block diagram for demonstrating the sensor system of patent document 1. FIG. It is a block block diagram of the sensor system of patent document 2. It is a block block diagram for demonstrating Embodiment 1 of the sensor system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows SENT (Single Edge Nibble Transmission) as an example of the data format which a 1st and 2nd sensor outputs. It is a figure which shows the content and serial positional relationship of the serial data which the 1st sensor and 2nd sensor of Embodiment 1 output. It is a block block diagram which shows Example 1 which is a specific structural example of the sensor in the sensor system of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. It is a block block diagram for demonstrating Embodiment 2 of the sensor system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the data arrangement which the 1st sensor of Embodiment 2 and a 2nd sensor output, and temporal positional relationship. It is a block block diagram which shows Example 2 which is a specific structural example of the sensor in the sensor system of Embodiment 2 shown in FIG. It is a block block diagram for demonstrating Embodiment 3 of the sensor system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the data arrangement and temporal positional relationship which the 1st sensor and Embodiment 2 of Embodiment 3 output. It is a block block diagram which shows Example 3 which is a specific structural example of the 1st sensor in the sensor system of Embodiment 3 shown in FIG. It is a block block diagram which shows Example 3 which is a specific structural example of the 2nd sensor in the sensor system of Embodiment 3 shown in FIG. It is a block block diagram for demonstrating Embodiment 4 of the sensor system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the data arrangement which the 1st sensor of Embodiment 4 and a 2nd sensor output, and temporal positional relationship. It is a block block diagram which shows Example 4 which is a specific structural example of the sensor in the sensor system of Embodiment 4 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the timing chart of Embodiment 4 shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, in all the drawings in the present specification, the same reference numerals are given to portions corresponding to each other, and description of the overlapping portions will be omitted as appropriate.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram for explaining Embodiment 1 of the sensor system according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 40 denotes a sensor system (control system), 41 denotes a control unit, 42 denotes a first sensor, and 43 denotes a second sensor.
The sensor system 40 according to the first embodiment is a sensor system including a control unit 41 and two sensors 42 and 43.

  The first input terminal of the control unit 41 and the input / output terminal of the first sensor 42 are connected by the first transmission line, and the second input terminal of the control unit 41 and the input / output terminal of the second sensor 43 are the second input terminal. The first transmission line and the second transmission line are connected by the third transmission line, and the input / output terminal of the first sensor 42 and the input / output terminal of the second sensor 43 are connected. Connected. The control unit 41, the first sensor 42, and the second sensor 43 are connected to the same node. As a result, even if one of the connection relations is broken, the first sensor 42 and the control unit 41, the second sensor 43 and the control unit 41, the first sensor 42 and the second sensor 43 and the control are controlled. It is possible to maintain the connection state of at least one of the unit 41 or the combination of the first sensor 42 and the control unit 41 and the second sensor 43 and the control unit 41. In other words, functional safety measures are also taken into consideration.

In addition, since the control unit 41 and the first and second sensors 42 and 43 are wired-OR connected to this node and are usually connected to a high potential by a resistor, the control unit 41, the first and second sensors When neither of the sensors 42 and 43 is in the output state, a high potential is maintained.
Each of the first sensor 42 and the second sensor 43 includes a sensing element that detects current, speed, acceleration, angle, position, rotation direction, rotation speed, rotation angle, and the like. The first sensor 42 and the second sensor 43 each output sensor data obtained by sensing with the sensing element to the control unit 41 as serial data together with the synchronization signal (DATE1, DATE2).
The control unit 41 receives the sensor signal (DATE1) of the first sensor 42 and the sensor signal (DATE2) of the second sensor 43, and takes in each sensor data by a synchronization signal included in each sensor signal. be able to.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of data represented by a SENT (Single Edge Nibble Interface) standard (SAE J2716 standard), which is an example of a data format of sensor signals of the first sensor and the second sensor. The SENT standard is a method for communicating data as a digital output of a sensor according to the time from a falling edge to the next falling edge.

The time from the first falling edge to the second falling edge indicates a synchronization signal (Synchronization / Calibration). For example, if 1 tick is 3 μs, the synchronization signal is 56 ticks in FIG. This synchronization signal becomes a reference time for subsequent signals.
The time from the second falling edge to the third falling edge indicates the status signal (Status & Communication).

  After the third falling edge, sensor data is shown (Signal1 / Date1, Signal1 / Date2, Signal1 / Date3, Signal2 / Date1, Signal2 / Date2, Signal2 / Date3). Communication is performed by converting the data value as the time from the fall to the next fall based on the time of the synchronization signal. Therefore, the time for outputting the sensor data varies depending on the data value.

  A confirmation signal (CRC / Checksum) is output. This confirmation signal is a signal for confirming whether an error signal or the like is included in the sensor data. Since SENT data differs in output time depending on output data, a pause pulse which is an option of the SENT standard can be provided so that the time until output is completed is constant for any data. For example, in the example of FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the second sensor 43 detects a synchronization signal of the sensor signal of the first sensor 42 and stores its own sensor measurement data according to the synchronization signal output by the first sensor 42. To do. The sensor signal of the first sensor 42 is input to the input / output terminal of the second sensor 43 from the node where the input / output terminal of the first sensor 42 and the input / output terminal of the second sensor 43 are connected. . The second sensor 43 monitors the synchronization signal of the first sensor 42, that is, the time from the first falling to the next falling, and converts the predetermined time into a specific time that the sensor 2 has. (For example, the above 56 ticks).

When the first sensor 42 outputs a synchronization signal, the second sensor 43 stores its sensor data in a latch or the like. Then, the second sensor 43 outputs a sensor signal after the completion time when the first sensor 42 outputs all data (after the time required until the output of the pause pulse is completed). It is configured as follows.
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  The first sensor 42 and the second sensor 43 each detect a predetermined physical quantity by using an internal oscillator and a timing control circuit, and update it as sensor data. Therefore, the time when the sensor data is updated is not the same time for the first sensor 42 and the second sensor 43. Note that the time until the sensor data generated by detecting these physical quantities at a certain time is stored (latched) is the same.

  Further, the cycle of updating the sensor data generated by the first sensor 42 and the second sensor 43 is sufficiently smaller than the period (DATE1, 2) in which each outputs one sensor signal as serial data. Therefore, part or most of the detected data is generally discarded. The processing time of the encoder for converting the latched sensor data into a desired data format is also sufficiently shorter than the length of the sensor signals (DATE1, DATE2).

Next, a digital output in accordance with the SENT standard will be described as an example.
First, the first sensor 42 outputs a sensor signal including a synchronization signal and sensor data to the node as serial data at the timing of the first sensor 42. Here, the output sensor data is sensor data detected at a certain time t. The control unit 41 takes in the sensor data on the basis of the synchronization signal.

  On the other hand, the sensor signal of the first sensor 42 is input to the input / output terminal of the second sensor 43. The node is held at a high potential when the first sensor 42 and the second sensor 43 are not in the output state. The second sensor 43 detects that the output of the first sensor 42 has started due to the low potential of this node, and the second sensor 43 immediately stores (latches) the sensor data generated by itself. Hold.

In addition, the time from when the node becomes low potential (falling) to the next low potential (next falling) is measured by the sensor signal of the first sensor 42, and the synchronization signal is detected. . Thereby, the time until the output of the sensor signal of the first sensor 42 is completed is obtained, and after the time has elapsed, the output of the sensor signal of the second sensor 43 is started.
First, the control unit 41 receives a sensor signal of the first sensor 42 and acquires sensor data according to a synchronization signal included in the sensor signal of the first sensor 42. Thereafter, the sensor signal of the second sensor 43 is received, and sensor data is acquired according to the synchronization signal included in the signal of the second sensor 43. Then, the control object is controlled from the obtained sensor data.

  FIG. 6 is a block configuration diagram illustrating Example 1 which is a specific configuration example of the second sensor in the sensor system of Embodiment 1 illustrated in FIG. 3. In the figure, reference numeral 111 denotes a sensing element, 112 denotes a preamplifier, 113 denotes an AD converter, 114 denotes a correction arithmetic circuit, 115 denotes a storage unit, 116 denotes an oscillator, 117 denotes a timing control circuit, 118 denotes a synchronization signal detection circuit, and 119 denotes an encoding. 120 denotes an output unit, 121 denotes an input buffer, and 122 denotes an output unit control circuit.

The second sensor 43 includes a sensing element 111, a preamplifier 112, an AD converter 113, a correction arithmetic circuit 114, a storage unit (latch) 115, an encoder 119, an output unit 120, and a synchronization signal detection circuit. 118 and a timing control circuit 117.
A physical quantity is detected by the sensing element 111, the signal is amplified by the preamplifier 112, and converted into a digital signal by the AD converter 113. The digital signal is subjected to calculation such as temperature correction in the correction calculation circuit 114 and stored in the storage unit 115. The stored digital signal is input to the encoder 119 and output from the output unit 120 to the node.

The timing control circuit 117 controls, for example, the sampling / holding timing in the AD converter 113.
The output unit 120 and the synchronization signal detection circuit 118 are connected to the input / output terminal of the second sensor 43. The synchronization signal detection circuit 118 detects the synchronization signal of the sensor signal of the first sensor 42 and determines the timing for storing the digital signal in the storage unit. Also, the timing at which the output unit 120 outputs to the node is controlled.

  Since the second sensor 43 is in the input state, the sensor signal output by the first sensor 42 can be monitored. Since the node is held at a high potential when the first sensor 42 and the second sensor 43 are not in the output state, the first sensor 42 starts outputting when the node becomes a low potential. The second sensor 43 detects this with the synchronization signal detection circuit 118. The second sensor 43 latches and holds the sensor data generated by the second sensor as soon as it is detected.

Further, the second sensor 43 monitors the following characteristics of the synchronization signal output by the first sensor 42. Specifically, the low potential section and the high potential section (total 56 ticks) are counted by a counter or the like built in the second sensor 43, and from the result, the time when the output of the sensor signal of the first sensor 42 is completed. Predict.
For example, if the period of the reference clock of the first sensor 42 is 1 μs (that is, 1 tick is 1 μs), the second sensor 43 recognizes the synchronization signal section as 56 counts.

As shown in FIG. 4, if the total data length following the synchronization signal is 200 ticks, the output of the first sensor 42 is completed if the second sensor 43 counts 200 after the synchronization signal. I can predict. Actually, a certain amount of margin is observed because the count time includes an error.
When the first sensor 42 outputs all the serial data, the output buffer of the output unit is turned off (Hi-Z), and the node holds a high potential by a pull-up resistor outside the first sensor 42. .

After a predetermined time, the second sensor 43 enables the transceiver, for example, by turning on the switching unit SW of the output unit (transceiver) in FIG. 6, and the data stored in the above-mentioned latch according to the SENT format. Output to the node.
Since the sensor signal of the second sensor 43 is output after a certain time following the output result of the first sensor 42, the time at which the sensor data of the second sensor 43 reaches the control unit is the first sensor. It will be delayed by 250 ticks from 42 (750 μs if 1 ticks = 3 μs).

However, as described above, since the second sensor 43 stores (latches) the sensing result at the time t when the output of the first sensor 42 starts, there is almost no time shift between the data itself.
Since the output of the second sensor 43 also includes the synchronization signal for 56 ticks, the control unit 41 can capture the same as the data of the first sensor 42.
The second sensor 43 turns off the transceiver when completing the output of all sensor signals (Hi-Z).
The first sensor 42 may be configured to output a sensor signal at regular intervals. Specifically, the first sensor 42 outputs data at a fixed interval at which the data string of the second sensor 43 fits at the timing of the built-in oscillator 116, so that the first sensor 42 and the second sensor 42 are output. It is also possible to continue communication between the sensor 43 and the control unit 41.

  Further, it may be configured to detect a synchronization signal of the sensor signal of the second sensor 43 and output the sensor signal similarly to the second sensor 43 (FIG. 5 is a pause pulse for simplicity). (Shown in the data column without the.) That is, next, the first sensor 42 latches the sensor data once by the synchronization signal at the head of the second sensor 43, predicts the data output completion time of the second sensor 43, and sets the appropriate time. And the data of the first sensor 42 is output. The structure which repeats this alternately may be sufficient.

  In the first embodiment, the second sensor 43 monitors a synchronization signal that is an output signal of the first sensor 42, and stores its own sensor measurement data according to the synchronization signal. Thereby, the first sensor 42 and the second sensor 43 can be output data of the sensor obtained in the same period. Further, the synchronization signal is output after a predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, the control unit 41 does not need to output a trigger signal and each sensor outputs sensor measurement data, and the control unit 41 does not need to be an input / output terminal as a terminal connected to the sensor. A simple configuration can be obtained.

  According to the system configured by the control unit 41 and the two or more sensors according to the first embodiment, the control unit 41 does not need to generate a trigger or a request signal and transmit it to the sensor. Therefore, not only the trigger signal generation circuit is unnecessary, but also the output buffer is not required. In addition, in the case of one-wire communication, since the synchronization data is usually included in the transmission data, it is not necessary to create a new data format in the first embodiment.

  In addition, it becomes possible for at least two or more sensors to receive data obtained at the same time. Therefore, the sensor having the function of the first embodiment is effective even in a system having a redundant configuration corresponding to functional safety or in a normal non-redundant configuration system. Even if the control unit 41 is only compatible with a non-redundant configuration system, the first control unit having the same function and the second control unit are arranged in parallel to achieve a redundant configuration, thereby ensuring functional safety. It becomes possible to respond.

In addition, in the case of one-wire communication, since a synchronization signal is usually included in transmission data, it is not necessary to create a new data format in the present invention. The sensor having the function of the present invention is effective in a system having a redundant configuration corresponding to functional safety or in a normal non-redundant configuration system.
Even if the control unit 41 supports only the normal system, it can support a redundant configuration, and at least two sensors can receive data obtained at the same time.

<Embodiment 2>
FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the second embodiment of the sensor system according to the present invention, and is a wiring diagram in consideration of the functional safety measures of the second embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 50 denotes a sensor system, 51 denotes a control unit, 52 denotes a first sensor, and 53 denotes a second sensor. The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 only in the differences from the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data arrangement and temporal positional relationship output by the first sensor and the second sensor according to the second embodiment.

In the second embodiment, trigger signals (A, B, C, D) are arranged at the head and the tail of the sensor signal of the first sensor 52 and the sensor signal of the second sensor 53.
In the second embodiment, the second sensor 53 stores the sensor data of the second sensor 53 by the above-described trigger signal (A) output from the first sensor 52, and the above-mentioned output from the first sensor 52. Data of the second sensor 53 is output in synchronization with the trigger signal (B).

Similarly, the first sensor 52 stores the sensor data of the first sensor 52 based on the trigger signal (C) output from the second sensor 53, and the above-described output from the second sensor 53. A configuration having a function of outputting data of the first sensor 52 in synchronization with the trigger signal (D) may be employed.
The control unit 51 has two input terminals for receiving the output results (DATE1 and DATE2) of the first sensor 52 and the second sensor 53, and can take in the data according to the synchronization signal included in each data. it can.

  In the second embodiment, after the first trigger signal (A), the first sensor 52 outputs a synchronization signal, a status signal, sensor data, and a confirmation signal in accordance with the SENT standard, and the second trigger The signal (B) is output. The second sensor 53 detects the first trigger signal (A) and stores sensor data of the second sensor 53 itself. The second sensor 53 outputs a third trigger signal (C) in synchronization with the second trigger signal (B), and in accordance with the SETN standard, a synchronization signal, a status signal, sensor data, and a confirmation signal And the fourth trigger signal (D) is output.

In the second embodiment, the second sensor 53 latches the sensor data of the second sensor 53 based on the first trigger signal (A) output from the first sensor 52. Further, the sensor signal of the second sensor 53 is output in synchronization with the trigger signal (B) output from the first sensor 52.
The control unit 51 has two terminals for receiving the output signals (DATE1 and DATE2) of the first sensor 52 and the second sensor 53, and takes in the data using the synchronization signals included in the respective data.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the first trigger signal (A) is output as the head data at the timing of the oscillator built in the first sensor 52, and then the sensor signal including the synchronization signal and the sensor data is output to the node as serial data. Finally, the second trigger signal (B) is output to the node. Here, the output sensor data is data detected at a certain time t. The control unit takes in the sensor data based on the synchronization signal.

  On the other hand, the output signal of the first sensor 52 is input to the input / output terminal of the second sensor 53. The node is held at a high potential when the first sensor 52 and the second sensor 53 are not in the output state. The second sensor 53 detects by the trigger signal detection circuit 218 or the like that the output of the first sensor 52 is started when this node becomes a low potential by the first trigger signal (A). Immediately, the second sensor stores (latches) and holds the sensor data generated by itself. As described above, since the node is held at a high potential, the trigger signal is generally at an edge where the potential becomes low.

Further, the second sensor 53 monitors the trigger signal (B) output from the first sensor 52 by the trigger signal detection circuit. The trigger signal (B) needs to have a feature for distinguishing from the synchronization signal, sensor data, and CRC data.
Specifically, it is data that does not exist in a predetermined SENT format, such as a signal whose low potential section is shorter than normal (eg, 30 ticks).

When the first sensor 52 outputs all serial data, the output buffer is turned off. On the other hand, after detecting the second trigger signal (B) of the first sensor 52, the second sensor 53 enables the transceiver by turning on the SW after the transceiver in FIG. Is output to the bidirectional node in the same format as the first sensor 52 described above.
Since it is output from the second sensor 53 following the output result of the first sensor 52, the time when the data of the second sensor 53 reaches the control unit is 200 sticks + trigger signal than the first sensor 52. Minutes (600 μs or more if 1 ticks = 3 μs).

However, since the second sensor 53 latches the sensing result at the time t when the output of the first sensor 52 starts as described above, there is almost no time shift between the data itself.
Since the output of the second sensor 53 includes the synchronization signal for 56 ticks, the control unit 51 can capture the same as the data of the first sensor 52. The second sensor 53 turns off the transceiver when the output of all data is completed.
Next, the first sensor 52 once latches the sensing result by the first trigger signal (A) at the head of the second sensor 53 and is at the end of the data output of the second sensor 53. The second trigger signal (B) is monitored. If the third trigger signal (C) is detected, the first sensor 52 also stores data. It is also possible to continue communication between the first sensor 52 and the second sensor 53 and the control unit 51 while repeating this alternately.

According to the system configured by the control unit 51 and the two or more sensors according to the second embodiment, the control unit 51 does not need to generate a trigger or a request signal and transmit it to the sensor. Therefore, not only the trigger signal generation circuit is unnecessary in the control unit 51 but also the output buffer is unnecessary.
In addition, the first sensor 52 and the second sensor 53 also need only predict the mutual data output time by adding a trigger signal to the normal SENT format. This facilitates the design of the trigger signal detection circuit. In addition, as in the first embodiment, at least two sensors can transmit data obtained at the same time.

  FIG. 9 is a block configuration diagram illustrating Example 2 which is a specific configuration example of the second sensor in the sensor system of Embodiment 2 illustrated in FIG. 7. In the figure, 211 is a sensing element, 212 is a preamplifier, 213 is an AD converter, 214 is a correction arithmetic circuit, 215 is a storage unit, 216 is an oscillator, 217 is a timing control circuit, 218 is a trigger signal detection circuit, 219 is an encode, Reference numeral 220 denotes an output unit, 221 denotes an input buffer, and 222 denotes a trigger signal addition circuit.

The second sensor 43 includes a sensing element 211, a preamplifier 212, an AD converter 213, a correction arithmetic circuit 214, a storage unit (latch) 215, an encoder 219, an output unit 220, and a trigger signal detection circuit 218. And a timing control circuit 217 and a trigger signal addition circuit 222.
A physical quantity is detected by the sensing element 211, a signal is amplified by the preamplifier 212, and converted into a digital signal by the AD converter 213. The digital signal is subjected to calculation such as temperature correction in the correction calculation circuit 214 and stored in the storage unit 215. The stored digital signal is input to the encoder 219 and output from the output unit 220 to the node.

The timing control circuit 217 controls, for example, sampling / holding timing in the AD converter 213.
The output unit 220 and the trigger signal detection circuit 218 are connected to the input / output terminal of the second sensor 53. The trigger signal detection circuit 218 detects the trigger signal of the sensor signal of the first sensor 52 and determines the timing for storing the digital signal in the storage unit 215. In addition, it controls the timing at which the output unit 220 outputs to the node.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining the third embodiment of the sensor system according to the present invention, and is a wiring diagram in consideration of the functional safety measures of the third embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 60 denotes a sensor system, 61 denotes a control unit, 62 denotes a first sensor, and 63 denotes a second sensor.
In the third embodiment, the trigger signal (A, B) is arranged at the beginning and the end of the sensor signal of the sensor signal of the first sensor 62, and the sensor signal of the second sensor 63 conforms to the SENT standard. It is the form which is output to.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a data arrangement and temporal positional relationship output from the first sensor and the second sensor according to the third embodiment.

In the third embodiment, the second sensor 63 stores the sensor data of the second sensor 63 by the above-described trigger signal (A) output from the first sensor 62, and the above-mentioned output from the first sensor 62. The data of the second sensor is output in synchronization with the trigger signal (B).
In the third embodiment, the first sensor 62 outputs a synchronization signal, a status signal, sensor data, and a confirmation signal according to the SENT standard after the first trigger signal (A), and the second trigger The signal (B) is output. The second sensor 63 detects the first trigger signal (A) described above and stores sensor data of the second sensor 63 itself. The second sensor 63 outputs a synchronization signal, a status signal, sensor data, and a confirmation signal in accordance with the SETN standard in synchronization with the second trigger signal (B).

First, the first trigger signal (A) is output as the head data at the timing of the oscillator 316 built in the first sensor 62, and then the sensor signal including the synchronization signal and the sensor data is output as serial data. Finally, the second trigger signal (B) is output to the node.
The output data is data detected at a certain time t. The control unit 61 takes in the serial data from the synchronization signal. On the other hand, the node is also connected to the second sensor 63. Since the second sensor 63 is in the input state, the data output by the first sensor 62 can be monitored. Since the node is held at a high potential when the first sensor 62 and the second sensor 63 are not in the output state, the first potential is reduced by the first trigger signal. The second sensor 63 detects by the trigger signal detection circuit 318 that the sensor 62 has started outputting. The second sensor 63 immediately latches and holds the sensing data generated by the second sensor 63 itself.

As described above, since the node is at a high potential, the trigger signal is generally an edge at which the potential is low. Further, the second trigger signal (B) output from the second sensor 63 is monitored. The second trigger signal (B) needs to have a feature for distinguishing it from the synchronization signal, sensor data, and CRC data.
Specifically, it is data that does not exist in a predetermined SENT format, such as a signal whose low potential section is shorter than normal (eg, 30 ticks). When the first sensor 62 outputs all serial data, the output buffer is turned off.

After detecting the second trigger signal (B), the second sensor 63 enables the transceiver by turning on the SW at the rear stage of the transceiver in FIG. 12, and the latch data is converted into the normal SENT format. To output to the bidirectional node.
Since the data of the second sensor 63 is output following the output result of the first sensor 62, the time at which the data of the second sensor 63 reaches the control unit is 200 sticks + trigger signal than the first sensor 62. Minutes (600 μs or more if 1 ticks = 3 μs).

  However, since the second sensor 63 latches the sensing result at the time t when the output of the first sensor 62 starts as described above, there is almost no time shift between the data itself. Since the outputs of the first sensor 62 and the second sensor 63 include the synchronization signal for 56 ticks, the control unit 61 can capture the same as the data of the first sensor 62.

  FIG. 12 is a block configuration diagram illustrating Example 3 which is a specific configuration example of the second sensor in the sensor system of Embodiment 3 illustrated in FIG. 10. In the figure, reference numeral 311 is a sensing element, 312 is a preamplifier, 313 is an AD converter, 314 is a correction operation circuit, 315 is a storage unit, 316 is an oscillator, 317 is a timing control circuit, 318 is a trigger signal detection circuit, 319 is encode, Reference numeral 320 denotes an output unit, and reference numeral 321 denotes an input buffer.

  FIG. 13 is a block configuration diagram illustrating Example 3 which is a specific configuration example of the first sensor in the sensor system of Embodiment 3 illustrated in FIG. 10. In the figure, reference numeral 411 is a sensing element, 412 is a preamplifier, 413 is an AD converter, 414 is a correction operation circuit, 415 is a storage unit, 416 is an oscillator, 417 is a timing control circuit, 419 is encoding, 420 is an output unit, and 422 is A trigger addition circuit is shown.

  In the first sensor 62, the timing control circuit 417 controls the output of the transceiver so that the data string of the second sensor 63 is kept at the timing of the built-in oscillator 416. Therefore, even if the first sensor 62 does not have a trigger signal in the second sensor 63, the first sensor 62 and the second sensor 63 can alternately output and continue communication of the control unit. .

  According to the system configured by the control unit 61 and the two or more sensors according to the third embodiment, the control unit 61 does not need to generate a trigger or a request signal and transmit it to the sensor. Therefore, not only the trigger signal generation circuit is unnecessary, but also the output buffer is not required. Further, only the trigger signal (A, B) is added to the normal SENT format in the first sensor 62, and it is not necessary to predict the data output time of each other. Moreover, it becomes possible for at least two or more sensors to transmit data obtained at the same time.

<Embodiment 4>
FIG. 14 is a block diagram for explaining Embodiment 4 of the sensor system according to the present invention. In Embodiment 1, the operation of the second sensor is particularly different. In the figure, reference numeral 70 denotes a sensor system, 71 denotes a control unit, 72 denotes a first sensor, and 73 denotes a second sensor.
First, the first sensor 72 outputs serial data including a synchronization signal and sensor data to the node at the timing of the first sensor 72. The output data is data detected at a certain time t. The control unit takes in the serial data based on the synchronization signal. On the other hand, the node is also connected to the second sensor 73.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a data arrangement and temporal positional relationship output from the first sensor and the second sensor according to the fourth embodiment. (For simplicity, the pause pulse is omitted.)

  FIG. 16 is a block configuration diagram illustrating Example 4 which is a specific configuration example of the sensor in the sensor system of Embodiment 4 illustrated in FIG. 14. In the figure, reference numeral 511 is a sensing element, 512 is a preamplifier, 513 is an AD converter, 514 is a correction operation circuit, 515 is a marking circuit, 516 is an oscillator, 517 is a timing control circuit, 518 is a marking signal generation circuit, 519 is encoding, Reference numeral 520 denotes an output unit, 521 denotes an input buffer, 522 denotes an output unit control circuit, 523 denotes a selection circuit, and 524 denotes a selection signal generation circuit.

  Since the second sensor 72 is in the input state, it is possible to monitor the data output by the first sensor 72. Since the node holds the high potential when the first sensor 72 and the second sensor 73 are not in the output state, the first sensor 72 starts outputting when the node becomes the low potential. The second sensor 73 detects this. Specifically, the output signal of the first sensor 72 input from the input / output terminal is input to the input buffer 521 and output to the marking signal generation circuit 518, the selection signal generation circuit 522, and the output unit control circuit 522. The marking signal generation circuit 518 detects a feature of the synchronization signal such as a falling edge of the input signal and generates a marking signal. Based on this marking signal, data is marked by a marking circuit. The selection signal generation circuit 522 detects a feature of the synchronization signal such as a falling edge of the input signal and generates a selection signal. The selection circuit 523 is configured to select the marked data at a predetermined timing based on the selection signal.

The second sensor 73 immediately marks the sensing data generated by the second sensor 73 itself. For the marking, for example, a designation signal is added. The least significant bit is expanded and 2X + 1 is performed on the operation data (X), and the other data is differentiated by performing 2X.
FIG. 17 is a view showing a timing chart of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 14, and shows that the data D21 is marked. If the subsequent arithmetic processing is performed on the data excluding the LSB, the arithmetic data changes (FIG. 17 shows the data shifting for simplicity. In the figure, the marking processing is performed by the correction arithmetic circuit 514. This calculation is generally performed by the correction calculation circuit 514.) When a desired time elapses (t1) by a counter circuit or the like, the data marked by the selector, that is, the data of LSB = 1 is selected and input to the encoder 519 to be converted into the SENT format. Alternatively, as another example of marking, the calculation is performed on two data after the synchronization signal is detected.

  In FIG. 17, the same calculation as D21 is performed on D22. If data not marked by the selector in FIG. 17 is read, it is possible to select the previous data for detecting the synchronization signal. Subsequent operations are the same as those in the first embodiment. When the first sensor 72 outputs all serial data, the output buffer is turned OFF, and the bidirectional node holds a high potential by a resistor. After an appropriate time, the second sensor 73 enables the transceiver by turning on the SW after the transceiver in FIG. 16 and outputs the above-mentioned marking data in accordance with the SENT format. Since the data of the second sensor 73 is output after a certain period of time following the output result of the first sensor 72, the time when the data of the second sensor 73 reaches the control unit is higher than that of the first sensor 72. The delay is 250 ticks (750 μs if 1 ticks = 3 μs). However, since the second sensor 73 latches the sensing result at the time t when the output of the first sensor 72 starts as described above, there is almost no time shift between the data itself. Since the output of the second sensor 73 also includes the synchronization signal for 56 ticks, the control unit 71 can capture the same as the data of the first sensor 72. The second sensor 73 turns off the transceiver when all data is output.

Next, the first sensor 72 shifts the data by the same means as the above-described sensor 2 by the synchronization signal at the head portion of the second sensor 73, and sets the data output completion time of the second sensor 73. Predict and output the first sensor 72 data after an appropriate time. This is repeated alternately. Note that the first sensor 72 outputs data at a constant interval in which the data string of the second sensor 73 fits at the timing of the built-in oscillator, so that the first and second sensors 72 and 73 and the control unit are output. It is also possible to continue the communication of 71.
According to the system configured by the control unit 71 and the two or more sensors according to the fourth embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, there is a feature that data before and after the synchronization signal can be selected. Therefore, it is possible to give a degree of freedom to the data alignment method of the first sensor 72 and the second sensor 73.

<Modification>
A first sensor IC chip for serially outputting a first sensor signal including a first synchronization signal and first sensor data based on the first synchronization signal; and the first sensor signal. And a second sensor signal including a second synchronization signal and second sensor data based on the second synchronization signal in response to the input first sensor signal. And a second sensor IC chip that outputs serially, and a sensor device that outputs the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.

  In addition, a first sensor IC chip having a first input / output terminal for outputting a first sensor signal in the SENT format and a second input / output terminal for outputting a second sensor signal in the SENT format are provided. An engine control unit having a second sensor IC chip, a first input terminal to which the first sensor signal is input, and a second input terminal to which the second sensor signal is input; A first transmission line connecting a first input / output terminal and the first input terminal; a second transmission line connecting the second input / output terminal and the second input terminal; A control device may be provided that includes a first transmission line and a second transmission line connecting the second transmission line.

The sensor is preferably a magnetic sensor.
The first to third transmission lines are single lines such as one metal wiring. Further, the first transmission line is connected to the power supply line by a pull-up resistor, the second transmission line is connected to the power supply line by a pull-up resistor, and the output part of each sensor outputs Low by NMOS. It is.
In addition, the sensor system has an on-vehicle redundant configuration, and has at least two sensor IC chip chips. The at least two sensors monitor output signals corresponding to each other's SENT standard and output the output signals to the control unit. It is a sensor system.

The present invention is characterized by the following configuration.
(1) a first sensor that serially outputs a first sensor signal including a first synchronization signal and first sensor data based on the first synchronization signal; and the first sensor And a second sensor signal including a second synchronization signal and second sensor data based on the second synchronization signal in response to the input first sensor signal. Is a sensor system comprising: a second sensor that outputs serially; and a control unit that receives the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.

  (2) a first sensor signal having a first output terminal and including a first synchronization signal and first sensor data based on the first synchronization signal from the first output terminal; And a first input / output terminal connected to the first output terminal, and in response to the first sensor signal, from the first input / output terminal A second sensor that serially outputs a second sensor signal including two synchronization signals and second sensor data based on the second synchronization signal; and the first output terminal. A control unit having a second input terminal and a third input terminal connected to the first input / output terminal.

  (3) The format of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal is as follows: serial data is single edge nibble transmission (SENT), peripheral serial interface 5 (PSI5), serial peripheral interface (SPI ) Or a format selected from the Distributed System Interface (DSI).

(4) The second sensor has an input / output terminal, the first sensor signal is input to the input / output terminal, and the second sensor signal is output from the input / output terminal.
(5) The second sensor outputs the second sensor signal to the control unit in response to the first synchronization signal.
(6) The second sensor stores the second sensor data in synchronization with the first synchronization signal.

(7) The second sensor outputs the second sensor signal after a predetermined time has elapsed since the output of the first sensor signal was completed.
(8) The second sensor data is stored in synchronization with the first synchronization signal, and the time until the output of the first sensor signal is completed with the first synchronization signal as a reference is calculated. Then, after the time has elapsed, the second sensor signal is output.

(9) The second sensor includes a synchronization signal detection circuit that detects the first synchronization signal.
(10) The second sensor calculates the time from the fall of the first sensor signal to the next fall or the time from the rise of the first sensor signal to the next rise. Detecting a signal.
(11) The first sensor signal includes a first trigger signal, the first synchronization signal, and the sensor data, and the second sensor includes the first sensor signal in the first sensor signal. In response to the first trigger signal, the second sensor signal is output to the control unit.

(12) The first trigger signal is arranged before the first synchronization signal.
(13) The first sensor signal includes a first trigger signal, the first synchronization signal, the sensor data, and the second trigger signal, and the second sensor includes: The sensor data of the second sensor itself is stored in synchronization with the first trigger signal, and the second sensor signal is output to the control in synchronization with the second trigger signal.

(14) The second trigger signal is arranged after the first sensor data.
(15) The second sensor includes a trigger signal detection circuit that detects the first trigger signal.
(16) The second sensor detects falling or rising of the first trigger signal.

(17) The first sensor includes a trigger signal generation circuit that distributes the first trigger signal before the first synchronization signal.
(18) The first sensor generates a first trigger signal arranged before the first synchronization signal and a second trigger signal arranged after the sensor data. A generation circuit;

(19) The second sensor signal includes a third trigger signal, the second synchronization signal, and the second sensor data, and the first sensor is the second sensor signal. The first sensor signal is stored in response to the third trigger signal.
(20) The second sensor signal includes a third trigger signal, the second synchronization signal, the second sensor data, and the fourth trigger signal. The sensor stores the first sensor data in synchronization with the third trigger signal, and outputs the third sensor signal to the control unit in synchronization with the fourth trigger signal.

(21) The second sensor signal includes a third trigger signal arranged before the second synchronization signal, the fourth trigger signal arranged after the second sensor data, And the first sensor stores the first sensor data in synchronization with the third trigger signal, and the third sensor signal in synchronization with the fourth trigger signal. Output to.
(22) The second sensor data to be output from the sensing data to the control unit is marked in response to the first synchronization signal.

(23) The second sensor data to be output from the sensing data to the control unit is marked in synchronization with the first synchronization signal.
(24) The second sensor selects and stores the second sensor data marked from the sensing data.
(25) In the second sensor, the second sensor data output from the sensing data to the control unit is marked in response to the trigger signal of the first sensor signal.

(26) In the second sensor, the second sensor data output from the sensing data to the control unit is marked in synchronization with the first synchronization signal.
(27) The second sensor selects sensor data marked from the sensing data and outputs the selected sensor data to the control unit.
(28) The marking is performed by giving a designation signal to the least significant bit or the most significant bit of the data.

(29) The second sensor includes a marking unit for marking, and an encoder that converts sensor data into a predetermined format based on a synchronization signal, and data marked by the encoder is selected.
(30) A sensor having an input / output terminal and serially outputting a sensor signal including a synchronization signal and sensor data based on the synchronization signal, and another synchronization signal from another sensor Another sensor signal including other sensor data based on the other synchronization signal is serially input to the input / output terminal, and in response to the other sensor signal, the sensor signal from the input / output terminal. Is a sensor that outputs.

(31) The format of the sensor signal is such that serial data is single edge nibble transmission (SENT), peripheral serial interface 5 (PSI5), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or distributed system interface (DSI). Having a format selected from
(32) The sensor signal is output from the input / output terminal in response to the other synchronization signal.

(33) The sensor data is stored in synchronization with the other synchronization signal.
(34) The sensor data is stored in synchronization with the other synchronization signal, and the sensor signal is output from the input / output terminal after a predetermined time has elapsed after the output of the other sensor signal is completed.
(35) A synchronization signal detection circuit for detecting the other synchronization signal.

(36) The other synchronization signal is detected by calculating the time from the fall of the other sensor signal to the next fall.
(37) The other sensor signal includes a first trigger signal, the other synchronization signal, and the other sensor data, and the sensor is responsive to the first trigger signal, Stores sensor signals.

(38) The other sensor signal includes a first trigger signal, the other synchronization signal, the other sensor data, and the second trigger signal, and the sensor includes the first trigger signal, The sensor data is stored in synchronization with the trigger signal, and the sensor signal is output from the input / output terminal in synchronization with the second trigger signal.
(39) The other sensor signal includes a first trigger signal arranged before the other synchronization signal, and the second trigger signal arranged after the other sensor data, The sensor stores the sensor data in synchronization with the first trigger signal, and outputs the sensor signal from the control input / output terminal in synchronization with the second trigger signal.

(40) A trigger signal detection circuit for detecting the first trigger signal is provided.
(41) The falling edge of the first trigger signal is detected.
(42) A third trigger signal, the synchronization signal, and the sensor data are included.
(43) The sensor signal includes a third trigger signal, the synchronization signal, the sensor data, and the fourth trigger signal.

(44) The sensor signal includes a third trigger signal arranged before the synchronization signal and the fourth trigger signal arranged after the sensor data.
(45) In response to the other synchronization signal, the sensor marks the sensor data output from the input / output terminal among sensing data.
(46) In the sensor, sensor data output from the input / output terminal is marked out of sensing data in synchronization with the other synchronization signal.

(47) The sensor selects sensor data marked from the sensing data and outputs the selected sensor data from the input / output terminal.
(48) In response to the trigger signal of the other sensor signal, the sensor marks the sensor data output from the input / output terminal in the sensing data.
(49) The sensor is marked with sensor data output from the input / output terminal among sensing data in synchronization with the other synchronization signal.

(50) The sensor selects sensor data marked from the sensing data and outputs the selected sensor data from the input / output terminal.
(51) The marking is performed by giving a designation signal to the least significant bit or the most significant bit of the data.
(52) The sensor includes a marking unit for marking, and an encoder that converts the sensor data into a predetermined format based on a synchronization signal, and data marked by the encoder is selected.

  (53) A first sensor having a first input / output terminal for outputting a first sensor signal in the SENT format, and a second sensor having a second input / output terminal for outputting a second sensor signal in the SENT format. 2, a control unit having a first input terminal to which the first sensor signal is input, and a second input terminal to which the second sensor signal is input, and the first input A first transmission line connecting the output terminal and the first input terminal; a second transmission line connecting the second input / output terminal and the second input terminal; and the first transmission. And a third transmission line connecting the second transmission line and the second transmission line.

  (54) a first step of serially outputting a first sensor signal including a first synchronization signal and first sensor data based on the first synchronization signal; and the first synchronization A second step of detecting a synchronization signal, and a second synchronization signal and a second sensor data based on the second synchronization signal in response to the detected first synchronization signal. And a third step of serially outputting a second sensor signal including the sensor signal output method.

10 sensor system 12 control module 14a-14n sensor 16a-16n bidirectional node 18 object 20 system controller 22 feedback signal 24a-24n trigger signal 25 V _CC connection 26a-26n serial data signal 28 ground connection 30 processor 32 memory 34 transceiver 40 , 50, 60, 70, 100 Sensor system 41, 51, 61, 71, 102 Control unit 42, 52, 62, 72, 104 First sensor 43, 53, 63, 73, 106 Second sensor 111, 211 , 311, 411, 511 Sensing elements 112, 212, 312, 412, 512 Preamplifier 113, 213, 313, 413, 513 AD converter 114, 214, 314, 414, 514 Correction arithmetic circuit 115, 215, 15,415 Storage unit 116, 216, 316, 416, 516 Oscillator 117, 217, 317, 417, 517 Timing control circuit 118 Synchronization signal detection circuit 119, 219, 319, 419, 519 Encoding 120, 220, 320, 420 , 520 Output unit 121, 221, 321, 521 Input buffer 218, 318 Trigger signal detection circuit 222, 422 Trigger addition circuit 515 Marking circuit 518 Marking signal generation circuit 522 Output unit control circuit 523 Selection circuit 524 Selection signal generation circuit

Claims (54)

A first sensor that serially outputs a first sensor signal including a first synchronization signal and first sensor data based on the first synchronization signal;
The first sensor signal is input, and in response to the input first sensor signal, a second synchronization signal and second sensor data based on the second synchronization signal are included. A second sensor that serially outputs a second sensor signal;
A controller that receives the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal;
A sensor system comprising: A first sensor signal including a first output terminal and including a first synchronization signal and first sensor data based on the first synchronization signal is serially transmitted from the first output terminal. A first sensor to output;
A first input / output terminal connected to the first output terminal, and a second synchronization signal and the second synchronization from the first input / output terminal in response to the first sensor signal; A second sensor that serially outputs a second sensor signal including second sensor data based on the digitized signal;
A control unit having a second input terminal connected to the first output terminal, and a third input terminal connected to the first input / output terminal;
A sensor system comprising:   The format of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal is such that serial data is single edge nibble transmission (SENT), peripheral serial interface 5 (PSI5), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or 3. A sensor system according to claim 1 or 2 having a format selected from the Distributed System Interface (DSI).   The said 2nd sensor has an input / output terminal, The said 1st sensor signal is input into the said input / output terminal, The said 2nd sensor signal is output from the said input / output terminal. The sensor system according to any one of claims.   The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the second sensor outputs the second sensor signal to the control unit in response to the first synchronization signal.   The sensor system according to claim 5, wherein the second sensor stores the second sensor data in synchronization with the first synchronization signal.   The sensor system according to claim 6, wherein the second sensor outputs the second sensor signal after a predetermined time elapses after the output of the first sensor signal is completed.   Storing the second sensor data in synchronization with the first synchronization signal, calculating a time until the output of the first sensor signal is completed with reference to the first synchronization signal; The sensor system according to claim 7, wherein the second sensor signal is output after a lapse of time.   The sensor system according to claim 6, wherein the second sensor includes a synchronization signal detection circuit that detects the first synchronization signal.   The second sensor calculates the synchronization signal by calculating a time from the fall of the first sensor signal to the next fall or from the rise of the first sensor signal to the next rise. The sensor system of any one of Claims 6-9 to detect. The first sensor signal includes a first trigger signal, the first synchronization signal, and the sensor data,
6. The second sensor according to claim 1, wherein the second sensor outputs the second sensor signal to the control unit in response to the first trigger signal of the first sensor signal. Sensor system.   The sensor system according to claim 11, wherein the first trigger signal is arranged before the first synchronization signal. The first sensor signal includes a first trigger signal, the first synchronization signal, the sensor data, and the second trigger signal,
The second sensor stores sensor data of the second sensor itself in synchronization with the first trigger signal, and sends the second sensor signal to the control in synchronization with the second trigger signal. The sensor system according to claim 11 or 12, which outputs the sensor system.   The sensor system according to claim 13, wherein the second trigger signal is arranged after the first sensor data.   The sensor system according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the second sensor includes a trigger signal detection circuit that detects the first trigger signal.   The sensor system according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the second sensor detects a fall or rise of the first trigger signal.   The sensor system according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the first sensor includes a trigger signal generation circuit that distributes the first trigger signal before the first synchronization signal.   The first sensor includes a trigger signal generation circuit that generates a first trigger signal arranged before the first synchronization signal and the second trigger signal arranged after the sensor data. The sensor system according to any one of claims 11 to 17. The second sensor signal includes a third trigger signal, the second synchronization signal, and the second sensor data,
The sensor system according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the first sensor stores the first sensor signal in response to the third trigger signal of the second sensor signal. The second sensor signal includes a third trigger signal, the second synchronization signal, the second sensor data, and the fourth trigger signal,
The first sensor stores the first sensor data in synchronization with the third trigger signal, and outputs the third sensor signal to the control unit in synchronization with the fourth trigger signal. The sensor system according to claim 19. The second sensor signal includes a third trigger signal arranged before the second synchronization signal, and the fourth trigger signal arranged after the second sensor data,
The first sensor stores the first sensor data in synchronization with the third trigger signal, and outputs the third sensor signal to the control unit in synchronization with the fourth trigger signal. The sensor system according to claim 18 or 19.   11. The second sensor data according to claim 5, wherein the second sensor data output from the sensing data to the control unit is marked in response to the first synchronization signal. Sensor system.   11. The second sensor data according to claim 5, wherein the second sensor data output from the sensing data to the control unit is marked in synchronization with the first synchronization signal. Sensor system.   The sensor system according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the second sensor selects and stores the second sensor data marked from the sensing data.   The said 2nd sensor responds to the trigger signal of the said 1st sensor signal, The said 2nd sensor data output to a control part from sensing data are marked in any one of Claims 11-20. The described sensor system.   21. The second sensor data according to any one of claims 11 to 20, wherein the second sensor data output from the sensing data to the control unit is marked in synchronization with the first synchronization signal. Sensor system.   27. The sensor system according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the second sensor selects sensor data marked from the sensing data and outputs the selected sensor data to the control unit.   The sensor system according to any one of claims 22 to 27, wherein the marking is performed by giving a designation signal to the least significant bit or the most significant bit of data.   The second sensor includes a marking unit for marking, and an encoder that converts sensor data into a predetermined format based on a synchronization signal, and data marked by the encoder is selected. The sensor system according to any one of the above. A sensor that has an input / output terminal and outputs a sensor signal serially including a synchronization signal and sensor data based on the synchronization signal,
Other sensor signals including other sensor signals from other sensors and other sensor data based on the other synchronization signals are serially input to the input / output terminal,
A sensor that outputs the sensor signal from the input / output terminal in response to the other sensor signal.   As for the format of the sensor signal, serial data is selected from a single edge nibble transmission (SENT), a peripheral serial interface 5 (PSI5), a serial peripheral interface (SPI), or a distributed system interface (DSI). 32. The sensor of claim 30, wherein the sensor has a format.   32. The sensor according to claim 30, wherein the sensor signal is output from the input / output terminal in response to the other synchronization signal.   The sensor according to claim 32, wherein the sensor data is stored in synchronization with the other synchronization signal.   The sensor data is stored in synchronization with the other synchronization signal, and the sensor signal is output from the input / output terminal after a predetermined time has elapsed since the output of the other sensor signal is completed. The sensor described.   35. The sensor according to claim 32, further comprising a synchronization signal detection circuit that detects the other synchronization signal.   36. The sensor according to claim 35, wherein the other synchronization signal is detected by calculating a time from the fall of the other sensor signal to the next fall. The other sensor signal includes a first trigger signal, the other synchronization signal, and the other sensor data,
The sensor according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the sensor stores the sensor signal in response to the first trigger signal. The other sensor signal includes a first trigger signal, the other synchronization signal, the other sensor data, and the second trigger signal,
The sensor according to claim 37, wherein the sensor stores the sensor data in synchronization with the first trigger signal, and outputs the sensor signal from the input / output terminal in synchronization with the second trigger signal. The other sensor signal includes a first trigger signal arranged before the other synchronization signal, and the second trigger signal arranged after the other sensor data,
39. The sensor according to claim 37 or 38, wherein the sensor stores the sensor data in synchronization with the first trigger signal, and outputs the sensor signal from the control input / output terminal in synchronization with the second trigger signal. Sensor.   The sensor according to any one of claims 37 to 39, further comprising a trigger signal detection circuit that detects the first trigger signal.   The sensor according to any one of claims 37 to 40, wherein the sensor detects a falling edge of the first trigger signal.   The sensor according to any one of claims 37 to 41, comprising a third trigger signal, the synchronization signal, and the sensor data.   The sensor according to claim 42, wherein the sensor signal includes a third trigger signal, the synchronization signal, the sensor data, and the fourth trigger signal.   44. The sensor according to claim 42 or 43, wherein the sensor signal includes a third trigger signal arranged before the synchronization signal and the fourth trigger signal arranged after the sensor data.   The sensor according to any one of claims 32 to 36, wherein the sensor is marked with the sensor data output from the input / output terminal in sensing data in response to the other synchronization signal.   The sensor according to any one of claims 32 to 36, wherein the sensor is marked with sensor data output from the input / output terminal among sensing data in synchronization with the other synchronization signal.   The sensor according to claim 45 or 46, wherein the sensor selects sensor data marked from the sensing data and outputs the selected sensor data.   37. The sensor according to any one of claims 32 to 36, wherein the sensor is marked with the sensor data output from the input / output terminal among sensing data in response to a trigger signal of the other sensor signal. Sensor.   The sensor according to any one of claims 32 to 36, wherein the sensor is marked with sensor data output from the input / output terminal among sensing data in synchronization with the other synchronization signal.   The sensor according to claim 48 or 49, wherein the sensor selects sensor data marked from the sensing data and outputs the selected sensor data.   51. The sensor according to claim 45, wherein the marking is performed by giving a designation signal to the least significant bit or the most significant bit of data.   52. The sensor according to claim 45, wherein the sensor includes a marking unit for marking and an encoder that converts the sensor data into a predetermined format based on a synchronization signal, and the data marked by the encoder is selected. The sensor according to claim 1. A first sensor having a first input / output terminal from which a first sensor signal is output in SENT format;
A second sensor having a second input / output terminal from which a second sensor signal is output in SENT format;
A control unit having a first input terminal to which the first sensor signal is input and a second input terminal to which the second sensor signal is input;
A first transmission line connecting the first input / output terminal and the first input terminal;
A second transmission line connecting the second input / output terminal and the second input terminal;
A third transmission line connecting the first transmission line and the second transmission line;
A sensor system comprising: A first step of serially outputting a first sensor signal including a first synchronization signal and first sensor data based on the first synchronization signal;
A second step of detecting the first synchronization signal;
In response to the detected first synchronization signal, a second sensor signal including a second synchronization signal and second sensor data based on the second synchronization signal is serially output. A third step;
A sensor signal output method comprising:

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