Ultrasonic sensor integrated with monitoring channel and chip thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to an ultrasonic sensor integrated with a monitoring channel and a chip thereof, the sensor is used for driving a pair of transducers, the sensor comprises an ultrasonic signal generating and transmitting module and an ultrasonic signal receiving and quantifying module, the ultrasonic signal generating and transmitting module is provided with a transmitting channel and is connected with the transducers, and the ultrasonic signal receiving and quantifying module is connected with the transmitting channel. The ultrasonic signal receiving and quantifying module is provided with a receiving channel and is connected with the transducer; the pair of transducers is divided into a transducer TD0 and a transducer TD1, the ultrasonic signal receiving and quantifying module further comprises a monitoring channel, and the monitoring channel is provided with a receiving channel RX2 and a receiving channel RX3; the transducer TD1 is connected with the receiving channel RX3, and the transducer TD0 is connected with the receiving channel RX2. The invention also discloses a chip manufactured by the sensor. The noise data obtained by the monitoring channel can be used for optimizing the noise floor of the signal, and the signal quality is improved, so that the measurement precision of the ultrasonic sensor system is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of integrated circuit chips, and more particularly to an ultrasonic sensor with an integrated listening channel and its chip. Background Technology

[0002] Ultrasonic sensor technology is based on the piezoelectric effect, which converts electrical energy into sound energy. It utilizes the propagation and reflection characteristics of ultrasound waves in a medium to achieve distance measurement or object detection by accurately measuring the time of flight. Its structural design (such as matching layers and damping blocks) and signal processing circuits are designed to optimize transmission efficiency, receiving sensitivity, and measurement accuracy. Although some physical limitations exist (such as sound speed dependence and dead zone), its non-contact, cost-effective, and environmentally adaptable characteristics have led to its widespread application in numerous fields.

[0003] With the development of power electronics technology and semiconductor processes, more intelligent ultrasonic sensor chips have emerged. These chips not only integrate the transmission and reception of ultrasonic control signals, but also integrate microcontrollers and advanced digital signal processing algorithms. Thanks to the increased integration of ultrasonic sensor chips, multi-channel transmission and reception, and even the addition of receiving channels to monitor environmental interference, as well as signal processing capabilities, are now possible.

[0004] like Figure 3 As shown, a traditional intelligent ultrasonic sensor used in fluid measurement has two channels each for transmitting and receiving, used to drive a pair of transducers. The transmitting channel TX0 emits a series of pulse signals to drive transducer TD0. Under the drive of the pulse signals, TD0 converts the received electrical energy into acoustic energy and emits it. The other transducer, TD1, receives the acoustic waves emitted by TD0, converts the acoustic energy into electrical energy, and transmits it to the receiving channel RX1. RX1 receives the signal and performs amplification, quantization, correlation, interpolation, and other processing. Conversely, the transmitting channel TX1 emits pulse signals to drive transducer TD1. TD1 converts electrical energy into acoustic energy and emits it. TD0 receives the acoustic wave signal, converts it into electrical energy, and transmits it to the receiving channel RX0. After transducers TD0 and TD1 each complete one transmission and reception cycle, the ultrasonic wave propagates once in the fluid, both upstream and downstream. By calculating the time difference between the upstream and downstream propagation of the ultrasonic wave in the fluid, the current flow rate of the fluid can be calculated.

[0005] However, due to the non-uniformity of fluid velocity and density, and the influence of the environment surrounding the fluid pipe on the signal quality of the ultrasonic sensor, in order to reduce the impact of environmental noise on the ultrasonic sensing system, Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an ultrasonic sensor and its chip with an integrated monitoring channel. The noise data obtained by the monitoring channel will be used to optimize the noise floor of the signal, improve the signal quality, and thus improve the measurement accuracy of the ultrasonic sensor system.

[0007] This invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0008] An ultrasonic sensor chip with an integrated listening channel is used to drive a pair of transducers, including an ultrasonic signal generation and transmission module and an ultrasonic signal receiving and quantization module. The ultrasonic signal generation and transmission module is provided with a transmission channel TX0 and a transmission channel TX1, and the ultrasonic signal receiving and quantization module is provided with a receiving channel RX1 and a receiving channel RX0.

[0009] The pair of transducers are divided into transducer TD0 and transducer TD1. Transducer TD0 is connected to the transmitting channel TX0. Under the drive of the pulse signal of the transmitting channel TX0, transducer TD0 converts electrical energy into sound energy for transmission. Transducer TD1 is connected to the receiving channel RX1. Transducer TD1 converts the sound energy emitted by transducer TD0 into electrical energy, which is then received and processed by the receiving channel RX1.

[0010] The transducer TD1 is connected to the transmitting channel TX1. Under the drive of the pulse signal of the transmitting channel TX1, the transducer TD1 converts electrical energy into sound energy for transmission. The transducer TD0 is connected to the receiving channel RX0. The transducer TD0 converts the sound energy emitted by the transducer TD1 into electrical energy, which is then received and processed by the receiving channel RX0.

[0011] Among them, transducers TD0 and TD1 alternately complete one round of transmission and reception, so that the ultrasonic wave corresponding to the acoustic energy can propagate once in the fluid with and against the current flow. Then, the current flow rate of the fluid can be calculated by the transmission time difference of the ultrasonic wave.

[0012] The ultrasonic signal receiving and quantization module also includes a monitoring channel, which has a receiving channel RX2 and a receiving channel RX3; the transducer TD1 is connected to the receiving channel RX3, and the receiving channel RX3 monitors the ambient noise of the transducer TD1 when there is no ultrasonic transmission; the transducer TD0 is connected to the receiving channel RX2, and the receiving channel RX2 monitors the ambient noise of the transducer TD0 when there is no ultrasonic transmission.

[0013] A chip made from the sensor.

[0014] Compared with previous technologies, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0015] This invention adds an extra listening channel at the receiving end to monitor the effects of environmental changes and fluid velocity and density variations on the ultrasonic sensing system. This effect is then converted into signal noise, which is used to calibrate the signal noise floor generated during downstream and upstream transmission of the ultrasonic sensor system, thereby effectively improving the measurement accuracy of the ultrasonic sensor system. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ultrasonic sensor chip proposed in this invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an ultrasonic sensor.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a traditional ultrasonic sensor chip. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the following description:

[0020] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, an ultrasonic sensor with an integrated listening channel is used to drive a pair of transducers, including an ultrasonic signal generation and transmission module and an ultrasonic signal receiving and quantization module. The ultrasonic signal generation and transmission module is provided with a transmission channel TX0 and a transmission channel TX1, and the ultrasonic signal receiving and quantization module is provided with a receiving channel RX1 and a receiving channel RX0.

[0021] The pair of transducers are divided into transducer TD0 and transducer TD1. Transducer TD0 is connected to the transmitting channel TX0. Under the drive of the pulse signal of the transmitting channel TX0, transducer TD0 converts electrical energy into sound energy for transmission. Transducer TD1 is connected to the receiving channel RX1. Transducer TD1 converts the sound energy emitted by transducer TD0 into electrical energy, which is then received and processed by the receiving channel RX1.

[0022] The transducer TD1 is connected to the transmitting channel TX1. Under the drive of the pulse signal of the transmitting channel TX1, the transducer TD1 converts electrical energy into sound energy for transmission. The transducer TD0 is connected to the receiving channel RX0. The transducer TD0 converts the sound energy emitted by the transducer TD1 into electrical energy, which is then received and processed by the receiving channel RX0.

[0023] Among them, transducers TD0 and TD1 alternately complete one round of transmission and reception, so that the ultrasonic wave corresponding to the acoustic energy can propagate once in the fluid with and against the current flow. Then, the current flow rate of the fluid can be calculated by the transmission time difference of the ultrasonic wave.

[0024] The ultrasonic signal receiving and quantization module also includes a monitoring channel, which has a receiving channel RX2 and a receiving channel RX3; the transducer TD1 is connected to the receiving channel RX3, and the receiving channel RX3 monitors the ambient noise of the transducer TD1 when there is no ultrasonic transmission; the transducer TD0 is connected to the receiving channel RX2, and the receiving channel RX2 monitors the ambient noise of the transducer TD0 when there is no ultrasonic transmission.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown: Receiver channels RX2 / RX3 are used to monitor the ambient noise of transducers TD0 / TD1 when there is no ultrasonic transmission.

[0026] The ultrasonic signal generation and transmission module includes a clock generator, a linear frequency modulator, a programmable pulse generator, and an amplifier connected in sequence; wherein, the amplifier is a two-channel analog amplifier used to generate pulse signals that can drive two transducers, and is respectively connected to the transmission channel TX0 and the transmission channel TX1;

[0027] The clock generator produces clock signals for use in the transmit and receive channels. The linear frequency modulator (LFM) converts the clock signal from the clock generator module into a clock signal whose frequency varies linearly with time. This LFM modulator mainly consists of frequency dividers capable of integer and fractional division. The programmable pulse generator processes the LFM-modulated clock signal, primarily allowing for programmable configuration of the pulse width and the number of pulses per cycle.

[0028] The ultrasonic signal receiving and quantization module includes a first selector, a first programmable amplifier, a first analog-to-digital converter, a first digital filter, and a data buffer connected in sequence; a clock generator is connected to the first analog-to-digital converter and the first digital filter respectively; receiving channels RX1 and RX0 are connected to the first selector;

[0029] The listening channel of the ultrasonic signal receiving and quantization module includes a second selector, a second programmable amplifier, a second analog-to-digital converter, and a second digital filter connected in sequence; the second digital filter is connected to a data buffer, and the clock generator is connected to the second analog-to-digital converter and the second digital filter respectively; the receiving channel RX2 and the receiving channel RX3 are connected to the second selector.

[0030] Here, the data buffer is shared by two channels. The main function of the analog selector (first selector and second selector) is to select which transducer receives the signal and send that signal to the corresponding programmable amplifier (first programmable amplifier and second programmable amplifier) ​​for amplification. The amplified signal is quantized into a digital signal by the analog-to-digital converter (first analog-to-digital converter and second analog-to-digital converter), and after passing through digital filters (first digital filter and second digital filter), it is stored in the data buffer for subsequent digital signal processing. The noise signal received by the monitoring channel is also stored in the data buffer after amplification, quantization, and digital filtering. In subsequent signal processing, the noise data obtained by the monitoring channel will be used to optimize the signal noise floor, improve signal quality, and thus improve the measurement accuracy of the ultrasonic sensor system.

[0031] The above sensors can be used to make chips.

[0032] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described through specific embodiments and alternative methods, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited in any sense except by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic sensor with an integrated listening channel for driving a pair of transducers, comprising an ultrasonic signal generation and transmission module and an ultrasonic signal receiving and quantization module, wherein the ultrasonic signal generation and transmission module is provided with a transmission channel TX0 and a transmission channel TX1, and the ultrasonic signal receiving and quantization module is provided with a receiving channel RX1 and a receiving channel RX0. The pair of transducers are divided into transducer TD0 and transducer TD1. Transducer TD0 is connected to the transmitting channel TX0. Under the drive of the pulse signal of the transmitting channel TX0, transducer TD0 converts electrical energy into sound energy for transmission. Transducer TD1 is connected to the receiving channel RX1. Transducer TD1 converts the sound energy emitted by transducer TD0 into electrical energy, which is then received and processed by the receiving channel RX1. The transducer TD1 is connected to the transmitting channel TX1. Under the drive of the pulse signal of the transmitting channel TX1, the transducer TD1 converts electrical energy into sound energy for transmission. The transducer TD0 is connected to the receiving channel RX0. The transducer TD0 converts the sound energy emitted by the transducer TD1 into electrical energy, which is then received and processed by the receiving channel RX0. in, Transducers TD0 and TD1 alternately complete one round of transmission and reception, enabling the ultrasonic waves corresponding to acoustic energy to propagate once in the fluid along and against the current. The current flow rate of the fluid is then calculated by using the time difference of ultrasonic wave transmission. The feature is that the ultrasonic signal receiving and quantization module further includes a monitoring channel, which is provided with a receiving channel RX2 and a receiving channel RX3; the transducer TD1 is connected to the receiving channel RX3, and the receiving channel RX3 monitors the ambient noise of the transducer TD1 when there is no ultrasonic transmission; the transducer TD0 is connected to the receiving channel RX2, and the receiving channel RX2 monitors the ambient noise of the transducer TD0 when there is no ultrasonic transmission.

2. The ultrasonic sensor with an integrated monitoring channel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic signal generation and transmission module includes a clock generator, a linear frequency modulator, a programmable pulse generator, and an amplifier connected in sequence; wherein, the amplifier is a two-channel analog amplifier used to generate pulse signals that can drive two transducers, and is respectively connected to the transmission channel TX0 and the transmission channel TX1; The ultrasonic signal receiving and quantization module includes a first selector, a first programmable amplifier, a first analog-to-digital converter, a first digital filter, and a data buffer connected in sequence; a clock generator is connected to the first analog-to-digital converter and the first digital filter respectively; receiving channels RX1 and RX0 are connected to the first selector; The listening channel of the ultrasonic signal receiving and quantization module includes a second selector, a second programmable amplifier, a second analog-to-digital converter, and a second digital filter connected in sequence; the second digital filter is connected to a data buffer, and the clock generator is connected to the second analog-to-digital converter and the second digital filter respectively; the receiving channel RX2 and the receiving channel RX3 are connected to the second selector.

3. The ultrasonic sensor with an integrated monitoring channel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic signal generation and transmission module also includes a crystal oscillator, which is connected to a clock generator.

4. An ultrasonic sensor with an integrated monitoring channel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmitting channel TX0 is connected to the transducer TD0 through resistor R0, and the transmitting channel TX1 is connected to the transducer TD1 through resistor R1; Transducer TD1 is connected to receiving channel RX1 via capacitor C1, and transducer TD1 is connected to receiving channel RX3 via capacitor C3; transducer TD0 is connected to receiving channel RX0 via capacitor C0, and transducer TD0 is connected to receiving channel RX2 via capacitor C2.

5. A chip made from the sensor described in any one of claims 1-4.

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