Method and apparatus for a plurality of modules to independently read a single sensor

• Main Author: MACKS; HAROLD RYAN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 23.02.1999
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVEREDIN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; MEASURING; MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; MEASURING TEMPERATURE; PHYSICS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; TESTING; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

Two electronic modules are connected to share and to independently read the sensed value from a single environmental sensor element, by communicating between each other when a particular module is reading the sensor output signal. The sensor output signal is a function of the value of the reference voltage being applied by the reading module and the characteristics of the environment being sensed. A module provides a toggle signal when it completes its reading of the sensor so that the other (non-reading) module will know when it may apply its reference voltage to the sensor and complete its reading of the sensor. The modules alternate the reading of the sensor in order to eliminate the need for a plurality of corresponding sensors.