Method and circuit arrangement for comparing output signals with reference signals having different reference levels

US6243009A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• TEMIC Semiconductor GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Andreas Fritz · Brackenheim, DE
• Roland Schropp · Tegernheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 22, 1999
• Grant date: Jun 5, 2001
• Expiry date: Nov 22, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60Q11/007
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A blinker-hazard flasher circuit has a single comparator (37) for comparing measured circuit output signals (36) containing information with reference signals having different voltage threshold levels to ascertain the information regarding the status of the flasher circuit, for example whether there is a short-circuit or whether the lamps operated by the circuit are in an operational or failed condition. A reference signal generator (40) for generating reference signals at the different voltage threshold levels receives control signals from a central processing unit. These control signals determine the sequence of the voltage threshold levels. The different levels of the reference signals provide different comparator output signals which are further processed and evaluated for obtaining the status information in response to the measured circuit output signals.