OPTOELECTRONIC SENSOR COMPONENT FOR MEASURING LIGHT WITH BUILT-IN REDUNDANCY

Abstract

An optoelectronic sensor component for measuring light may include a first signal channel, a second signal channel, a first light-sensitive detection assembly, a second light-sensitive detection assembly, a further light-sensitive detection assembly, and an assigned further signal channel. The first signal channel may provide a first electrical signal, which represents the intensity of light incident on the sensor component. The second signal channel may provide a second electrical signal representing the intensity of the light incident on the sensor component. The first and second light-sensitive detection assemblies may generate the first and second electrical signals, respectively, and be assigned to the first and second signal channels, respectively. Both detection assemblies may have an identical spectral sensitivity and are thus redundant with respect to one another. The spectral sensitivity of both detection assemblies may have a photopic profile. The further light-sensitive detection assembly may be configured for detecting only infrared light.

Claims

1. An optoelectronic sensor component configured to measure light wherein the component comprises: a first signal channel configured to provide a first electrical signal, which represents the intensity of light incident on the sensor component; a second signal channel separate from the first signal channel in terms of signaling, wherein the second signal channel is configured to provide a second electrical signal independent of the first electrical signal, and wherein the second signal channel represents the intensity of the light incident on the sensor component; a first light-sensitive detection assembly configured to generate the first electrical signal, and wherein the first light-sensitive detection assembly is assigned to the first signal channel; a second light-sensitive detection assembly configured to generate the second electrical signal, and wherein the second light-sensitive detection assembly is assigned to the second signal channel; wherein the first light-sensitive detection assembly and the second light-sensitive detection assembly have an identical spectral sensitivity and are thus redundant with respect to one another, and wherein the spectral sensitivity of both detection assemblies has a photopic profile; and a third light-sensitive detection assembly; and an assigned third signal channel; wherein the third detection assembly is configured to detect only infrared light.

2. The sensor component as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one signal processing circuit configured to condition the first and second electrical signals.

3. The sensor component as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first light-sensitive detection assembly and the second light-sensitive detection assembly and the at least one signal processing circuit are embodied as a single integrated circuit with a common voltage supply.

4. The sensor component as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: a first signal processing circuit configured to condition the first electrical signal; and a separate second signal processing circuit configured to condition the second electrical signal.

5. The sensor component as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a further light-sensitive detection assembly and an assigned further signal channel, wherein the further detection assembly has an identical spectral sensitivity to the first and second detection assemblies and is shielded visa vis ambient light, such that it can supply a reference signal for darkness.

6. The sensor component as claimed in claim 1, wherein each light-sensitive detection assembly comprises at least one photodiode.

7. The sensor component as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a light-sensitive total measurement area subdivided into a plurality of measurement elements, wherein the plurality of measurement elements are formed by the photodiodes of the detection assemblies.

8. The sensor component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first light-sensitive detection assembly defines a first light-sensitive measurement area and the second light-sensitive detection assembly defines a second light-sensitive measurement area, and wherein the area of the first measurement area is an integral multiple of the area of the second measurement area.

9. The sensor component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor component is an ambient light sensor.

10. A system for measuring light with function checking, wherein the system comprises: the optoelectronic sensor component as claimed in claim 1; and a function checking device configured to check the function of the optoelectronic sensor component, wherein the function checking device is configured to compare the first and second electrical signals generated from the first and second light-sensitive detection assemblies and to deduce a malfunction of the optoelectronic sensor component depending based on the result of the comparison.

11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the comparison effected by the function checking device consists in forming the difference between the first and second electrical signals generated and deducing a malfunction when the absolute value of the difference exceeds a specific threshold value.

12. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein each light-sensitive detection assembly comprises at least one photodiode; wherein a plurality of measurement elements are formed by the photodiodes of the light-sensitive detection assemblies; and where a light-sensitive total measurement area is subdivided based on the plurality of measurement elements; wherein the function checking device is further configured to compare the reference signal with the first and second electrical signals and configured to deduce a malfunction of the sensor component when the absolute value of at least one of the first and second electrical signals is less than the absolute value of the reference signal.

13. A system for electronic control based on measuring light comprising: the optoelectronic sensor component as claimed in claim 1; and an electronic control unit, wherein the optoelectronic sensor component and the control unit are connected to one another via a digital communication interface, such that the optolelectronic sensor component is configured to transmit its measurement results in the form of digital data to the control unit, wherein the system provides a method for checking the error-free data transmission between the sensor component (100) and the control unit.

14. The system as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a function checking device configured to check the function of the optoelectronic sensor component, wherein the function checking device is configured to compare the first and second electrical signals generated from the first and second light-sensitive detection assemblies and to deduce a malfunction of the optoelectronic sensor component based on the result of the comparison.

15. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the comparison effected by the function checking device consists in forming the difference between the first and second electrical signals generated and deducing a malfunction when the absolute value of the difference exceeds a specific threshold value.

16. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein each light-sensitive detection assembly comprises at least one photodiode; wherein a plurality of measurement elements are formed by the photodiodes of the light-sensitive detection assemblies; and where a light-sensitive total measurement area is subdivided based on the plurality of measurement elements; wherein the function checking device is further configured to compare the reference signal with the first and second electrical signals and configured to deduce a malfunction of the sensor component when the absolute value of at least one of the first and second electrical signals is less than the absolute value of the reference signal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Various embodiments will now be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0035] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a sensor component comprising one photodiode per channel and a common signal processing circuit;

[0036] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of a sensor component comprising one photodiode per channel and one signal processing circuit per channel;

[0037] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of a sensor component comprising four photodiodes per channel; and

[0038] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of one possible hardware implementation of a sensor component in the form of a chip with a measurement area subdivided into individual pixels.

[0039] Identical elements, elements of the same kind or elements having the same effect are indicated in the figures with the same reference signs. The figures and the proportions of the elements shown in the figures with respect to one another are not to be regarded as to scale. Rather, individual elements may be shown exaggeratedly large for better representability and/or for better comprehensibility.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The various sensor components 100, 200, 300 and 400 shown in the figures are in each case a combined ambient light and proximity sensor. Such sensors yield an output signal which increases with increasing intensity of light L incident on the sensor (see the arrows in the figures). The intensity of the light L prevailing in the environment in which the sensor is situated can thus be measured with the aid of such sensors. In addition, the sensor is also able to detect the approach of a human body part.

[0041] Such sensors can be installed in the dashboard of a motor vehicle, for example, where they serve for measuring the lighting conditions prevailing in the passenger compartment. The backlighting of the dashboard displays can then be adapted on the basis of the measurement result. By virtue of the proximity detection, commands issued by an occupant of the vehicle can also be recognized.

[0042] Of course, the sensors shown in the figures can also be used in other fields.

[0043] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment 100 of an optoelectronic sensor component. The sensor component 100 is present in the form of an integrated circuit. The sensor component 100 can be realized as a semiconductor chip, for example. The sensor component 100 comprises four light-sensitive detection assemblies 102, 104, 106 and 108 and a common signal processing circuit 110. The semiconductor chip 100 is supplied with power via a terminal VDD. The chip usually comprises a grounding terminal GND as well.

[0044] The chip 100 has four further terminals, numbered consecutively from 1 to 4 in the figure. The semiconductor chip 100 additionally has a measurement area, not illustrated here, for measuring the incident ambient light L. The detection assemblies 102, 104, 106 and 108 are part of the measurement area.

[0045] In the present example, each of the four detection assemblies respectively consists of one photodiode 102 to 108. Each respective photodiode 102 to 108 corresponds to a signal channel 112 to 118 for providing an electrical signal. The four signal channels 112, 114, 116 and 118 are each separate from one another in terms of signaling. They each provide an electrical signal that is independent of the other electrical signals.

[0046] The first two photodiodes 102 and 104 have an identical spectral sensitivity. They are thus redundant with respect to one another. In other words, they thus yield the same signal for the same incident ambient light L. The spectral sensitivity in the case of the photodiodes 102 and 104 may have a photopic profile. That is to say that the spectral sensitivity of the two detection assemblies 102 and 104 is modeled on that of the human eye.

[0047] The third detection assembly 106 has a photodiode having a different spectral sensitivity than that of the first two photodiodes 102 and 104. The photodiode 106 is a photodiode that is sensitive to, in particular only, infrared radiation (IR photodiode). The fact that the photodiode 106 is a different photodiode than the other two photodiodes 102 and 104 is identified by the black dot in the photodiode triangle.

[0048] The fourth detection assembly 108 comprises a photodiode of the same type as the first two photodiodes 102 and 104. This means that the spectral sensitivity of the fourth photodiode 108 is identical to that of the photodiodes 102 and 104. The difference, however, is that the fourth photodiode 108 is shielded vis àvis the ambient light L by an opaque cover, for example. This is identified by the cross in the photodiode triangle.

[0049] Consequently, the first signal channel 112 represents the intensity of the light L incident on the sensor component 100. Likewise, the second signal channel 114 represents the intensity of the ambient light L incident on the sensor component 100. The third signal channel 116 represents the intensity of the infrared light incident on the sensor component 100. The fourth signal channel 118, by contrast, yields a constant reference signal for darkness.

[0050] However, the fourth detection assembly 108 can also have a different spectral sensitivity than that of the photodiodes 102, 104 and 106. Accordingly, besides detection assemblies having a spectral sensitivity having a photopic profile and a spectral sensitivity in the infrared range, the chip 100 can also comprise a detection assembly that is sensitive to other spectral ranges.

[0051] All of the photodiodes 102 to 108 are connected to the same signal processing circuit 110. The signal processing circuit 110 thus performs the conditioning of all signals supplied by the photodiodes 102 to 108. This is done serially, for example, such that the signal processing circuit successively converts the signals of the four different photodiodes.

[0052] The signal processing circuit 110 typically comprises an amplifier and an analog-to-digital convertor.

[0053] Terminal No. 1 is the data output of the chip 100. Via the latter, the signals supplied by the detection assemblies 102, 104, 106 and 108 and processed by the signal processing circuit 110 are output. Terminal No. 2 is a clock input for providing a clock frequency to the chip 100. Terminal No. 3 is a so-called interrupt pin. Via this output, the chip 100 can notify e.g. an external control unit that a great change in the light intensity is taking place. Terminal No. 4 is a so-called address pin. Via this input, e.g. an external control unit can set an address of the sensor, in respect of the fourth photodiode 108.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment 200 of an optoelectronic sensor component. The sensor component 200 has a construction comparable to that of the sensor component 100 from FIG. 1. It differs merely in that each signal channel 212, 214, 216 and 218 is assigned to a dedicated and separate signal processing circuit 210a to 210d. In the case of the sensor component 200, therefore, the signals of the four different photodiodes 202 to 208 can be processed in parallel and simultaneously. In contrast to the sensor component 100 from FIG. 1, the provision of a respective dedicated signal processing circuit 210a and 210b for the two redundant channels 212 and 214 makes it possible to preclude undesired deviations between the two output signals that may occur as a result of the serial signal processing. Moreover, a defective signal processing circuit can be identified in the case of this second embodiment.

[0055] Accordingly, an infrared signal of the photodiode 206 can be measured in parallel with an ambient light signal of the photodiodes 202 and 204.

[0056] The block diagram in accordance with FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment 300 of a sensor component. The special feature in the case of this variant is that not just a single photodiode, but rather an entire group of photodiodes is assigned to each of the four channels 312, 314, 316 and 318. In this example, each group of diodes comprises four photodiodes connected in parallel. The provision of a plurality of photodiodes per channel results in a greater signal yield. Moreover, possible slight differences between the characteristic curves of the photodiodes, which can result in undesired deviations between the signals of the two redundant channels when just one photodiode per channel is used, are thus of less significance. Such differences between characteristic curves may be e.g. a consequence of fluctuations in process parameters during fabrication of the photodiodes.

[0057] As in the example in FIG. 2, here as well each individual channel 312 to 318 has its dedicated signal processing circuit 310a to 310d.

[0058] FIG. 4 shows a hardware realization of an optoelectronic sensor component 400. In this embodiment, the sensor component 400 is embodied as an integrated semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip 400 has six contacts 420, 422, 424, 426, 428 and 430. A total measurement area 432 is formed in the center of the semiconductor chip 400. The total measurement area 432 is the light-sensitive region of the sensor component 400. In the present example, the total measurement area 432 is embodied in square fashion.

[0059] The six contacts 420 to 430 frame the total measurement area 432. The contact 420 at the top left serves for supplying voltage to the semiconductor chip 400. The contact 422 at the top right is the data output. The measurement signals supplied by the sensor chip 400 are read out via this contact 422. The contact 422 can be embodied as an I2C interface. The contact 424 in the middle on the left serves for grounding the semiconductor chip 400. The contact 426 in the middle on the right serves for connecting a timer (clock) for the purpose of data transmission e.g. via an I2C interface. The contact 428 at the bottom left serves for addressing. The contact 430 at the bottom right is an interrupt.

[0060] The total measurement area 432 is subdivided into a number of individual measurement elements. In the present case, there are 4×4=16 measurement elements. The individual measurement elements are identified by the numbers 1 to 4. The individual, here square, measurement elements each correspond to an individual photodiode.

[0061] The number of the measurement element (1 to 4) indicates to which of the four measurement channels of the ambient light sensor 400 the respective measurement element is assigned. In a manner comparable to the example in FIG. 3, four photodiodes are assigned to each measurement channel. The measurement channels 1 and 2 are once again embodied in a redundant fashion. The associated photodiodes have the same spectral sensitivity (e.g. they simulate the sensitivity of the human eye) and serve for detecting the same spectral range. The measurement channel serves for detecting the infrared light. The measurement channel 4 in turn is assigned to four shielded photodiodes that supply the reference signal already mentioned.

[0062] The 4×4 photodiodes are distributed on the total measurement area 432 as follows: the redundant photodiodes for measuring ambient light are situated in the corners and in the center of the square total measurement area 432. The photodiodes for reference measurement and for measuring infrared light are arranged centrally on the outer sides of the square total measurement area 432.

[0063] This pixel arrangement has the advantage that the geometry is symmetrical. In this regard, there is a shielded and an infrared photodiode on each outer side of the active optical area 432. As a result, the signals are independent of the angle of light incidence.

[0064] In other words, the total measurement area 432 is thus subdivided into individual picture elements or pixels.

[0065] It was assumed in the description above that the measurement area covered by the photodiode(s) of the first channel and the measurement area covered by the photodiode(s) of the second measurement channel are of identical size. Alternatively, however, one measurement area can also be an integral multiple of the other measurement area.

[0066] A sensor component can be combined with a function checking device to form a system for measuring light with function checking. The function checking device then reads out the first two channels 1 and 2 of the sensor component. It compares the two signals read out and deduces a malfunction of the sensor component depending on the result of the comparison. The comparison may be effected by forming the difference between the two signals supplied by the channels. If the absolute value of the difference between the two signals exceeds a specific threshold value, it is assumed that the sensor component is faulty. Since the photodiodes of the first channel and the photodiodes of the second channel are embodied identically, the first two channels should also yield identical signals. If a significant deviation between the two signals occurs, there is thus some evidence that a malfunction of the photodiodes or of the signal processing circuit is present.

[0067] In addition, the function checking device can also compare the reference signal supplied by the fourth channel with the signals supplied by the first two channels. Since the associated photodiodes of the fourth channel are covered, the minimum signal expected when there is complete darkness prevailing in the environment of the sensor component is always present at output No. 4 of the sensor component. Accordingly, the absolute value of the signals of the first two channels should always be greater than or equal to that of the reference signal. If the absolute value of at least one of the two signals of the first two channels is less than the absolute value of the reference signal, a malfunction can likewise be assumed.

[0068] In the case where the measurement area of the first channel is an integral multiple N of the measurement area of the second channel, the signal I1 supplied by the first channel will be greater than that of the second channel I2 by an integral multiple N. The plausibility value P is then calculated here in accordance with the following equation:

P=N×I2−I1,

[0069] wherein N is the integral multiple, I1 is the signal of the first channel, and I2 is the signal of the second channel.

[0070] Here, too, a malfunction is deduced if the absolute value of the plausibility value P exceeds a specific threshold value.

[0071] The sensor architecture having redundant optical channels can also be used to identify short circuits between the two redundant photodiode channels. For this purpose, a sequential measurement and parallel measurement have to be carried out on both redundant channels. If a short circuit exists between the two photodiode channels, the measurement result of the sequential measurement is double the magnitude of the measurement result of a parallel measurement. In the absence of a short circuit, the same measurement result is expected for both measurements.

[0072] The sensor component may also be combined with an electronic control unit to form a system for electronic control based on measuring light. The electronic control unit can be a so-called microcontroller (MCU), for example. The sensor component and the control unit are then connected to one another via a digital communication interface. This interface is formed for example by the contact 422 and the contact 426 in FIG. 4. As a result, the sensor component can transmit its measurement results in the form of digital data to the MCU. In this case, provision can be made of a method for checking the error-free data transmission between the sensor component and the MCU, for example by means of a checksum, a cyclic redundancy check or an error correction method.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0073] 100, 200, 300, 400 Sensor component [0074] 102, 104, 106, 108 Light-sensitive detection assembly [0075] 110, 210, 310 Signal processing circuit [0076] 112, 114, 116, 118 Signal channel [0077] 212, 214, 216, 218 Signal channel [0078] 312, 314, 316, 318 Signal channel [0079] 420 Supply voltage terminal [0080] 422 Data output [0081] 424 Ground terminal [0082] 426 Clock generator terminal [0083] 428 Addressing pin [0084] 430 Interrupt [0085] 432 Total measurement area [0086] L Ambient light