Application of sigma-delta modulation techniques to transducers [automotive electronics]

The automotive industry is employing ever increasingly complex electronic control systems in modern vehicles. The object here is to indicate how modern control engineering design can assist in the production of a vital component in the control system chain namely the transducer. One device which has potentially a large market is the accelerometer used for ride control, engine knock, safety air bags etc. The technique proposed here is not limited to this type of transducer however. The technique, well known in the telecommunications and audio industries, is known as sigma-delta modulation, a technique which is not generally familiar to industrial engineers. Here a simple explanation is attempted but more importantly the special properties that are the consequence of the application of the technique are examined