US Patent 7308830 Pressure sensor fault detection

A diagnostic system for a pressure sensor having a cavity configured to receive on applied pressure is provided. The cavity has a first and a second wall. A deflectable diaphragm is positioned in the cavity and configured to form a first and a second capacitance with the first wall and a third and a fourth capacitance with the second wall which change in response to the applied pressure. The capacitances form a first transfer function and a second transfer function. Changes in the first transfer function relative to the second transfer function are detected to provide a diagnostic output.