An integrated sensor implementation employs a data acquisition method for
producing digital output signals that enables computing low latency, low
noise, rate of pressure (or altitude etc.) change measurements. An
example sensor includes a self-digitizing pressure and temperature sensor
circuit that outputs a serial digital signal that varies with at least
one physical parameter to which the sensor circuit is exposed. The sensor
incorporates an internal sigma-delta A/D converter and digital data
acquisition device that effectively time-stamps all acquired data. This
time stamped data is then transmitted to an external processing resource
(microprocessor) that is used to convert the self-digitized, time stamped
data into low latency, low-noise proportional and rate parameter outputs
having the desired engineering units for at least one physical parameter
sensed. This low-latency, low noise rate of change signal may be derived
without the latency penalty of digital filtering.