Sensor for emitting signals and for receiving reflected echo signals, and system including a control unit and such a sensor

US11580793B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Robert Bosch GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Albrecht Klotz · Leonberg, DE
• Dirk Schmid · Simmozheim, DE
• Michael Schumann · Stuttgart, DE
• Thomas Treptow · Leonberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 7, 2018
• Grant date: Feb 14, 2023
• Expiry date: Nov 19, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04Q2209/30
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A sensor, including at least one transducer for emitting signals and for receiving reflected echo signals, the transducer being set up to output an analog measuring signal, an analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog measuring signal into a digital measuring signal, an evaluation unit for evaluating the digital measuring signal, and a communication unit for transmitting a measuring result of the evaluation via a digital communication interface. The communication unit is equipped to receive a request for diagnostic data via the digital communication interface, and is also equipped to switch the sensor to diagnostic operation and to transmit requested diagnostic data via the digital communication interface. The communication unit is set up to communicate with at least two different data rates via the digital communication interface, a higher data rate being used for transmitting the diagnostic data than for transmitting the measuring result during normal operation of the sensor.