Patent ID: 6208043
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: F16D,G01D,G01R

Abstract:
An output stage for an electronic sensor, comprising:two transistors connected in a series push/pull arrangement between a pair of supply lines to provide an output to a sensor output line connected to a junction between said two transistors;a first voltage supply source connected to the pair of supply lines to provide each supply line with a different fixed supply voltage;two drive lines, each respective drive line being connected to an output from an amplifier configured to amplify a sensor input signal; anda fault detecting circuit connected between the amplifier output and the two drive lines, said fault detecting circuit being connected to detect an open circuit condition between the first voltage supply source and either of the two supply lines and to disconnect the drive line connected to an associated one of said two transistors which is connected to the supply line having the open circuit fault condition so as to prevent back feed from powering the electronic sensor via said sensor output line and the associated one of said two transistors.