Patent ID: 10129339

Abstract:
A communication system for transmitting sensor values to an Electronic Control Unit (“ECU”) includes a chain of ASICs (sensor interface devices). Each ASIC is coupled to sensors. All sensors connected to an ASIC are measured by said ASIC to obtain sensor values for transmission via a SENT stream in the direction of an ECU. An ASIC is further able to read and decode a Single Edge Nibble Transmission (“SENT”) stream from a previous ASIC in the chain. The ASIC combines its own measurements with the measurements received via the SENT stream to one SENT output stream carrying the sensor values of all sensors connected to said ASIC and all previous ASIC in the chain for transmission to a subsequent ASIC in the chain or the ECU. Only one SENT-input is needed at the ECU to receive measurements from multiple sensors, wherein the number of sensors can easily be changed.