Circuit/System Description

The impact sensors are equipped on vehicles to supplement the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System performance. The impact sensors are electronic and are not part of the deployment loops, but instead provide inputs to the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM). The impact sensors can assist in determining the severity of some frontal and side collisions. The SDM uses the input from the impact sensors to assist in determining the severity of a collision further supporting air bag deployment. If the SDM determines a deployment is warranted, the SDM will cause current to flow through the deployment loops deploying the appropriate air bags. The center front impact sensor and side impact sensors utilize a bidirectional 2-wire circuit. The sensors modulate current on the interface to send identification, state of health, and deployment commands to the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM). The SDM serves as a power source and a ground for the sensors. When the ignition is turned ON and input power from the SDM is first detected, the sensors respond by performing internal diagnostics and sending an identification to the SDM. The SDM considers the identification to be valid if the response time is less than 5 seconds. The sensors continually communicate status messages to the SDM, which determines if a fault is present in the sensor circuit. When a fault is detected, the SDM may reset the sensors up to 2 times by removing and reapplying power to it. If the fault is still present, the SDM will set a DTC.