Importance

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Abstract

A bus system for sensor modules includes at least one bus for interconnecting the sensor modules and for carrying signals between the sensor modules. Switching control devices are provided, a first one being a bus master device for the at least one bus having bus logic control for controlling the transmission of signals over the at least one bus. A superordinate main bus is provided for connecting the switching control devices together and for transmitting signals between the switching control devices. The at least one bus is connected with the superordinate main bus by the bus master. Binary switching signals transmitted over the at least one bus are detected by the sensor modules, and/or processed by the sensor modules. The sensor modules contain integrated bus logic for converting the binary switching signals into bus signals and vice versa. The at least one bus has a single common data line to which the sensor modules are connected for serial data transmission. The at least one bus operates bidirectionally in transmitting and receiving directions during half-duplex operation. The single common data line is driven by the bus master device independently of the superordinate main bus. The bus logic control in the bus master device controls the timing of data transmission in both transmitting and receiving directions. The at least one bus also provides a supply voltage to the sensor modules.

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First Claim