Sensor with switching matrix switch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016197484-A1
Application number	US-201514591057-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 7, 2015
Priority date	Jan 7, 2015
Publication date	Jul 7, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A sensor comprises a matrix switch that includes a number of switching elements configured in a matrix configuration. The sensor comprises one or more sensor elements configured in a sensor matrix configuration. A controller operates to dynamically select one or more signal routes via the switching elements to communicate data from one or more sensor elements of the sensor matrix. The matrix switch can operate to dynamically route multiple signal routes between sensor elements of the sensor to another component based on a set of criteria.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A sensor system comprising:
a sensor comprising a plurality of sensor cells arranged in a sensor matrix of sensor cell columns and rows and configured to generate data related to a physical parameter; a matrix switching component comprising a set of switching columns and switching rows coupled to the plurality of sensor cells and configured to generate a plurality of communication routes; and a controller configured to selectively activate a communication route of the plurality of communication routes through the matrix switching component based on one or more criteria.

2 . The sensor system of claim 1 , wherein the matrix switching component further comprises a plurality of switching elements configured to alter between switching states to activate the communication route of the plurality of communication routes.

3 . The sensor system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to control a switching state of a plurality of switching elements of the matrix switching component to activate the communication route based on the one or more criteria or a change in the one or more criteria.

4 . The sensor system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensor cells is coupled to the set of switching columns and rows of the matrix switching component and the controller on a same substrate.

5 . The sensor system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to select which of the plurality of communication routes to activate and route the data from the plurality of sensor cells through the communication route of the matrix switching component based on the one or more criteria.

6 . The sensor system of claim 1 , wherein at least one sensor cell of the plurality of sensor cells is configured to generated the data based on at least one of a position of the at least one sensor cell, an intensity of a magnetic field or a direction of the magnetic field.

7 . The sensor system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a routing component configured to dynamically determine which input terminal and output terminal of the set of switching columns and rows to which the communication route connects through the matrix switching component.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein different sensor cells of the plurality of sensor cells are configured to generate different data related to different physical parameters, operate concurrently in a different number based on a level of redundancy, operate at different consumption modes of operation, operate in different proprietary protocols, operate with different levels of accuracy or operate together in different numbers, based on the one or more criteria.

9 . The sensor system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a security component configured to detect a change in the physical parameter that is outside of a safety threshold and prevent the communication route of the plurality of communication routes from being activated.

10 . The sensor system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a regional component configured to activate one or more regions of sensors cells of the sensor matrix based on the criteria; a power component configured to determine a current consumption of the plurality of sensor cells and activate the plurality of sensor cells based on a mode of power consumption; a redundancy component configured to determine a redundancy level of the data and determine a number of the plurality of sensor cells to activate based on the redundancy level; a property component configured to identify a property associated with the physical parameter and activate a portion of the plurality of sensor cells based on the identified property; and a calibration component configured to selectively calibrate at least one sensor cell of the plurality of sensor cells via the communication route of the matrix switching component.

11 . A sensor device comprising:
a plurality of sensor cells configured to generate data related to a physical parameter; a matrix switch comprising a plurality of switching elements arranged in a set of switching columns and rows, wherein the plurality of switching elements are configured to selectively communicate the data from the plurality of sensor cells based on a switching state of the plurality of switching elements; and a controller configured to control the switching state of the plurality of switching elements based on a set of criteria.

12 . The sensor device of claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured to selectively activate a communication route through the matrix switch and to the plurality of sensor cells by controlling the switching state of the plurality of switching elements based on the set of criteria.

13 . The sensor device of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of sensor cells are arranged in a sensor matrix comprising sensor cell columns and sensor cell rows that are selectively coupled to the set of switching columns and rows of the matrix switch in response to an activation of the plurality of switching elements and the plurality of sensor cells.

14 . The sensor device of claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured to detect the set of criteria comprising at least one of a mode of operation of a sensor cell, a functionality of the sensor cell, a position of the sensor cell, an orientation of the sensor cell, or a property of the sensor cell, and selectively generate a communication route through the matrix switch from the plurality of sensor cells by activating the plurality of switching elements based on the set of criteria.

15 . The sensor device of claim 14 , wherein the controller is further configured to alter the communication route through the matrix switch by activating at least one different switching element of the plurality of switching elements based on a modification or a dynamic adaptation related to an application of the set of criteria.

16 . The sensor device of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of sensor cells is further configured to detect a magnetic field distribution, and communicate, via the matrix switch, at least a portion of the magnetic field distribution based on an intensity level or a direction that is detected differently from among the plurality of sensor cells.

17 . The sensor device of claim 16 , wherein the matrix switch is further configured to communicate the at least the portion of the magnetic field distribution to a control unit or to a display device configured to render the magnetic field distribution in a display view.

18 . The sensor device of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of sensor cells are configured to detect a change of an intensity level or a direction of a magnetic field and generate the data based on the change.

19 . The sensor device of claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine the set of criteria comprising a redundancy level, a safety level, a security level, a functional level, a property of the physical parameter, a proprietary protocol, or a mode of operation associated with the plurality of sensor cells, and select a communication route via the plurality of switching elements to communicate the data based on whether a predetermined threshold associated with the set of criteria is satisfied.

20 . A method for a sensor comprising:
generating, via a sensor cell of the sensor, a set of data related to a physical parameter; and facilitating a communication of the set of data through a first communication route of a matrix switch by selectively activating a first switching element o

Assignees

• Infineon Technologies Ag

Inventors

• Jost Franz

Classifications

• G05B19/08

  using plugboards, cross-bar distributors, matrix switches, or the like · CPC title

• G01D21/00 Primary

  Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• H02J4/00 Primary

  Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as AC or DC; Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks combining AC and DC sections or sub-networks (arrangements using intermediate DC-AC-DC conversion H02J1/002; arrangements using high-voltage DC [HVDC] links H02J3/36) · CPC title