A system may include a sensor having a variable phase response, a dummy impedance having a known phase response, and a measurement circuit communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to measure first phase information associated with the sensor, measure second phase information associated with the dummy impedance, and determine a phase response of the measurement circuit based on a comparison of the first phase information to the second phase information.

A system may include a sensor configured to output a sensor signal indicative of a distance between the sensor and a mechanical member associated with the sensor, a measurement circuit communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to determine a physical force interaction with the mechanical member based on the sensor signal, and a compensator configured to monitor the sensor signal and to apply a compensation factor to the sensor signal to compensate for changes to properties of the sensor based on at least one of changes in a distance between the sensor and the mechanical member and changes in a temperature associated with the sensor.

A method is provided for sensing proximity of a target. The method includes sensing inductance associated with a magnetic field, wherein the inductance is affected by the target when the target is proximate the magnetic field. The method further includes providing the sensed inductance for processing. The processing includes determining an inductance value from at least the sensed inductance and estimating a parameter of a gap between a location of sensing the inductance and the target as a function of the inductance value and application of a nonlinear model of a relationship between the gap and inductance,

Maintaining a fixed frequency in a resonant circuit of an inductive sensor circuit is described. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an inductance-to-digital converter (LDC). The LDC includes a digital filter to measure an inductance change of a sensor and convert the inductance change to a digital value. The LDC further includes a digital control loop to maintain a fixed frequency in the sensor. The sensor forms an oscillator in the digital control loop. An output of the digital control loop is representative of the inductance change of the sensor.

Traffic control systems and methods to improve safety are disclosed. The systems, in some example aspects, include a first magnetic field generator mounted over an aisle for generating a first zone magnetic field defining a first zone. The methods, in some example aspects, include generating a first zone magnetic field defining a first zone by a first magnetic field generator mounted over an aisle. Other aspects include generating, and/or including a controller to generate, control signals to reduce the speed of a vehicle, and/or reduce the size of a danger zone.

Traffic control systems and methods to improve safety are disclosed. The systems, in some example aspects, include a first magnetic field generator mounted over an aisle for generating a first zone magnetic field defining a first zone. The methods, in some example aspects, include generating a first zone magnetic field defining a first zone by a first magnetic field generator mounted over an aisle. Other aspects include generating, and/or including a controller to generate, control signals to reduce the speed of a vehicle, and/or reduce the size of a danger zone.

Disclosed is a factor 1 and inductive sensor device including an LC resonant circuit powered by a suitable generator, an operational chain of units for acquisition by sampling and processing of the response signal, and a functional set of units for evaluating at least one temporarily set value of the processed signal and supplying detection or non-detection information. The acquisition and processing unit includes analog a unit for filtering and/or amplifying the sampled response signal, and a unit for compensating the temperature drift of the response signal by correcting the sampled signal following the digital conversion thereof, associated with or including a temperature sensor.

An industrial locking switch includes an inductive sensing circuit that uses a non-contact technique to detect when the switch's locking bolt has transitioned to the lock position. The inductive sensing circuit can comprise an inductive coil, a capacitor, and a converter that converts a frequency of a current signal through the inductive coil to a digital frequency value. A controller detects when the locking bolt has advanced to the lock position by monitoring the digital frequency value for frequency shifts indicative of a disturbance of the induction coil's magnetic field by the locking bolt. To validate operation of the inductive sensing system without requiring actuation of the locking bolt, a diagnostic switch connects a diagnostic capacitor to the inductive circuit to simulate the frequency shift caused by the locking bolt, and the inductive sensing system is validated if the expected frequency shift is detected.

A proximity sensor includes a transmission circuit that supplies a current to each of detection coils, a reception circuit that detects voltages generated at both ends of the coils or currents flowing in the coils due to the supply of the current for each of the coils, a control unit that senses the presence or position of a detection object using a detection result of the reception circuit, and an output unit that outputs a sensing result of the control unit. The control unit extracts a first component caused by a mounting fitting for mounting the proximity sensor on a support member and a second component caused by the detection object from the detection result of the reception circuit. The control unit compensates the second component using the first component. The control unit senses the presence or position of the detection object on the basis of the compensated second component.

An inductive sensor insusceptible to external electromagnetic fields. The sensor coil is designed so as to have a first winding part and a second winding part connected thereto, the first winding part and the second winding part being wound in opposite directions. The first winding part is connected to a first coil terminal and the second winding part is connected to a second coil terminal.