公开(公告)号：EP4215930A1

公开(公告)日：2023-07-26

申请号：EP23151716.0

申请日：2023-01-16

Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.

Inventor： PASSANITI, Fabio ,  DE PASCALIS, Daniele ,  ALESSI, Enrico Rosario

IPC: G01R35/00 ,  G01R29/24

Abstract: Method and device for performing self-tests for electrostatic charge variation sensors. The device comprises a first stimulus electrode (14) configured to transmit a stimulus signal; a first receiving electrode (12) facing the first stimulus electrode (12), the first receiving electrode (12) configured to receive an electrostatic charge variation in a surrounding environment; an electrostatic charge variation sensor (16) coupled to the first receiving electrode (12), the electrostatic charge variation sensor configured to generate a first electrostatic charge variation measurement of the electrostatic charge variation and generate a second electrostatic charge variation measurement of the electrostatic charge variation, the second electrostatic charge variation measurement being generated in response to the stimulus signal being transmitted by the first stimulus electrode; and a processor (18) coupled to the electrostatic charge variation sensor (16), the processor (18) configured to perform a self-test on the electrostatic charge variation sensor using the first electrostatic charge variation measurement and the second electrostatic charge variation measurement, and output a result of the self-test that indicates the electrostatic charge variation sensor has passed or failed the self-test. The self-tests is performed while an electrostatic charge variation sensor is active and without interruption to the application employing the electrostatic charge variation sensor.