Patent ID: 6252503
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: G01D,G08B,G08C

Abstract:
A method of monitoring an analog sensor device, which supplies an analog output signal to an analysis unit for evaluation over a bidirectional output line connecting the analysis unit to the sensor device, said method comprising the steps of:a) generating an analog trigger signal of a predetermined trigger level in the analysis unit (2) and feeding the analog trigger signal to the analog sensor device (1) over the bidirectional output line (3), said predetermined trigger level being outside a level range of said analog output signal;b) detecting the analog trigger signal of the predetermined trigger level in the analog sensor device (1) and starting a monitoring phase in the analog sensor device in response to said analog trigger signal; andc) when the analog trigger signal of the predetermined trigger level is detected in the analog sensor device (1), producing at least one predetermined analog test signal in the sensor device during the monitoring phase and transferring the at least one predetermined analog test signal over the bidirectional output line (3) to the analysis unit (2) for analysis.