Patent ID: 7578282
Filing Date: 2009-08-25
Classification: G01L

Abstract:
1. A knock sensor signal processing apparatus comprising: a first apparatus coupled to receive a knock sensor signal that is an analog signal produced from a knock sensor of a vehicle engine and to produce a corresponding digital signal produced from an A/D (analog-to-digital) converter; and a second apparatus coupled for bit-serial communication of said digital signals from said first apparatus via bit-serial communication lines; wherein said A/D converter of said first apparatus performs repetitive A/D conversions of said knock sensor signal with a predetermined conversion period, and successive A/D values resulting from said A/D conversions being transmitted bit-serially from said first apparatus to said second apparatus via said bit-serial communication lines; wherein said second apparatus comprises digital filter processing circuitry for performing consecutive digital filter processing of successive ones of said A/D values; wherein said bit-serial communication lines comprise a first set of bit-serial communication lines for transmitting at least said A/D values from said first apparatus to said second apparatus and a second set of communication lines for transmitting at least operating commands from said second apparatus to said first apparatus; and wherein said first set of bit-serial communication lines is greater in number than said second set of communication lines whereby the frequency of signals used for data communication passing from said first apparatus to said second apparatus is reduced by the reciprocal of the number of bit serial communication lines in said first set.