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Sensors

Patent Application for Vehicular Sensing System Released

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The inventors, Peter, Benjamin from Goldbach, DE, and Steigerwald, Jens from Sailauf-Eichenberg, DE, have filed a patent application for a vehicular sensing system that includes a sensor disposed at a vehicle equipped with the system, an electronic control unit (ECU), and electronic circuitry and associated software. The ECU includes a data processor operable to process sensor data captured by the sensor and transferred to the ECU. The sensor connects with the ECU via a cable, and the sensor is electrically powered by a power source, with electrical power from the power source not provided to the sensor via the cable. The cable carries sensor data captured by the sensor from the sensor to the ECU and also carries an enable signal from the ECU to the sensor. The enable signal enables operation of the sensor, allowing it to capture sensor data and transfer it to the ECU. This system is designed to provide a reliable and efficient way to capture and process data from various sensors, including cameras and radar sensors, using a coaxial cable for communication.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed vehicular sensing system uses a coaxial cable for communication between the sensor and the ECU, as well as for power transmission.
  • The system includes a sensor disposed at a vehicle equipped with the system, which captures sensor data and transfers it to the ECU via the cable.
  • The ECU processes sensor data and enables operation of the sensor through an enable signal carried via the cable.
  • The sensor is electrically powered by a power source, with electrical power from the power source not provided to the sensor via the cable.
  • The system includes various embodiments, such as the use of a camera, radar sensor, or other types of sensors, and the use of filtering components to filter the enable signal from the sensor data.
  • The enable signal can vary, including a DC offset voltage, a pulsed signal, or static DC offset voltage, and the system can include a watchdog circuit to monitor the heartbeat signal.
  • The proposed system is designed to provide a reliable and efficient way to capture and process data from various sensors using a coaxial cable.

Statistics:

  • The patent application includes 27 claims and 1 abstract.
  • The proposed system includes multiple embodiments, with 20 of the claims referring to different implementations of the vehicular sensing system.
  • The claims cover various aspects of the system, including the use of a coaxial cable for communication and power transmission, the inclusion of a watchdog circuit, and the use of filtering components.

Sources:

  • Peter, Benjamin; Steigerwald, Jens. Vehicular Sensing System. U.S. Patent Application Number 20250310663, filed March 28, 2025 and posted October 2, 2025. Patent URL (for desktop use only): https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/external.html?q=(20250310663)&db=US-PGPUB&type=ids

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