A magnetic position sensor for determining the angular position of a magnet on a rotatable component, comprising: at least one magnetic sensor for determining different vector components of a magnetic field of the magnet; a memory having a look-up table stored therein that is populated with data representative of different angular positions of the magnet, the data representative of each angular position being correlated with data in the look-up table that is representative of the vector components that would be detected by the at least one magnetic sensor at that angular position; wherein the magnetic position sensor is configured to use the vector components determined by the magnetic sensor and logic to determine the angular position of the magnet from the look-up table.

Methods and systems for providing rotary position sensor information. One system includes an electronic processor configured to receive a first set of signals from a first bridge circuit of a rotary position sensor and receive a second set of signals from a second bridge circuit of the rotary position sensor. In response to the receipt of the first set of signals from the first bridge circuit stopping, the electronic processor is also configured to identify a fault associated with the first bridge circuit. The electronic processor is also configured to receive a pulse signal and determine a rotary angle based on the pulse signal and the second set of signals from the second bridge circuit. The electronic processor is configured to generate an output torque value based on the rotary angle for controlling a motor.

A rotary encoder includes a stator, a malfunction determination device, and a shaft having a bearing configuration internally connected to an axial bushing arranged in a housing. The bearing configuration provides for rotation of the shaft relative to the housing. A rotor is attached to the shaft. The malfunction determination device includes a detection device configured to determine whether a connection device is operably connected between a fixed portion of the encoder and the bushing, and to output the status of the connection to a control device. If there is no connection, the detection device determines a rotation of the bushing associated with a malfunction of the bearing configuration.

In one aspect, a magnetic field sensor includes a magnetic field sensing element configured to detect changes in a magnetic field caused by a target and an encoder configured to process signals originating from the magnetic field element. The encoder is configured to generate a first output signal and a second output signal. In a non-fault state, the first and second output signals are 90 electrical degrees out of phase from one another, and in a fault state, the first and second output signals are in phase with each other.

There is provided a light control circuit including a light detector, a frequency detector, an error amplifier, an NMOS driver and a light source. The frequency detector identifies a signal frequency according to detected voltage signals outputted by the light detector and generates a control signal accordingly. The NMOS driver changes a drive current of the light source according to an output of the error amplifier. The error amplifier changes a bandwidth thereof according to the control signal from the frequency detector to regulate a response time of the drive current of the light source.

A fail-safe counter module comprises a controller including a processor and a memory and circuitry for fail-safe counting. The fail-safe counter module further comprises computer-readable safety rating support code stored in the memory which, when executed by the processor, causes the controller to provide safety rating to International Standard levels such as Safety Integrity Level (SIL) 3, Category (CAT) 4, Performance Level (PL) e. The fail-safe counter module further comprises computer-readable “Safety Monitoring” functions code stored in the memory which, when executed by the processor, causes the controller to work with a user interface to select and configure the “Safety Monitoring” functions. The fail-safe counter module is a functional safety-rated device with an expected rating for SIL 3, CAT 4, PL e applications and is engineered to calculate position and/or speed utilizing an external quadrature encoder sensor that generates waveforms which permits counting of specific electrical pulses.

Disclosed is a method for diagnosing a speed/position sensor of an internal combustion engine, of the type including a toothed wheel, which rotates as one with a shaft, and a matter detector, which is arranged so as to be fixed opposite the toothed wheel and controls a base of a transistor. The method includes: detecting a short circuit between an output of the speed/position sensor and a power supply; and testing for excess current consumption by a power supply of the speed/position sensor when the transistor is activated. If the test is positive, the short circuit is identified between the power supply of the speed/position sensor and the output of the speed/position sensor. Alternatively, if the test is negative, the short circuit is identified between another power supply and the output of the speed/position sensor.

Provided is a sensor control apparatus including a main board, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor, which are connected in series to the main board. The first sensor includes a diagnosis unit configured to perform a failure diagnosis of each of an LED, a phototransistor, and an LED controller. In a case where a failure is detected, the diagnosis unit electrically isolates the first sensor from the series connection, and supplies a power supply voltage to the second sensor.

There is provided a light control circuit including a light detector, a frequency detector, an error amplifier, an NMOS driver and a light source. The frequency detector identifies a signal frequency according to detected voltage signals outputted by the light detector and generates a control signal accordingly. The NMOS driver changes a drive current of the light source according to an output of the error amplifier. The error amplifier changes a bandwidth thereof according to the control signal from the frequency detector to regulate a response time of the drive current of the light source.

A position measuring device includes a scale carrier with a measuring scale. A scanner is configured to generate position signals by scanning the measuring scale. A processor is configured to process the position signals into a digital position value. An interface is configured to communicate with downstream electronics. At least one collision sensor is assigned to the position measuring device, and is configured to generate analog or digital measured values from a time characteristic of which collision events are determinable. The measured values are fed to an evaluator configured to determine the collision events by evaluating the time characteristic of the measured values in a controller.