Ultrasonic metering chip and device thereof

Abstract

The application discloses an ultrasonic metering chip and a device thereof, which comprises a signal output module, a signal processing module, a TDC measurement module, a first counter and a control module connected correspondingly. The control module is used for controlling: the signal output module to generate pulse signals with a preset frequency and quantity, to send the pulse signals as first transmission wave signals from a transmitting end, and to send the pulse signals as a starting signal to the TDC measurement module; the signal processing module to receive echo signals from a receiving end, to perform signal processing on the echo signals to obtain filtered signals, and to send the filtered signals to the signal output module until a preset number of times, and to send the filtered signals as a termination signal to the TDC measurement module; the signal output module to send the filtered signals as second transmission wave signals from the transmitting end again; the first counter to count the number of times that the filtered signals are sent to the signal output module; and the TDC measurement module to obtain a metering result based on the starting signal and the termination signal. The ultrasonic metering chip disclosed by the application can improve the precision and reduce the power consumption.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of ultrasonic measurement, and in particular to an ultrasonic metering chip and device thereof. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the mainstream ultrasonic metering chip uses the time-difference method (TDD) for measurement. The propagation speed of ultrasound in a fluid changes with the fluid flow; it increases with downstream flow and decreases with upstream flow. Therefore, the TDD ultrasonic metering chip determines the fluid velocity by measuring the time difference between the propagation times of the ultrasonic signals in the downstream and upstream flows. It samples the forward and reverse flow times between a single transmission and reception, and calculates the flow velocity using the time difference between these two quantities. In related technologies, to improve the measurement accuracy of the TDD ultrasonic metering chip, multiple measurements are typically taken and averaged. However, this method sacrifices some power consumption, resulting in relatively high power consumption.

[0003] Therefore, it is evident that improving the accuracy of ultrasonic metering chips while reducing power consumption remains a problem to be solved. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide an ultrasonic metering chip and device that solves the problem that while improving the measurement accuracy of the ultrasonic metering chip, the power consumption also increases simultaneously.

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides an ultrasonic metering chip, comprising a signal output module, a signal processing module, a TDC measurement module, a first counter, and a control module connected accordingly; the signal output module also has a transmitting end at its output end, and the signal processing module also has a receiving end at its input end; The control module is used to control: The signal output module generates a preset frequency and number of pulse signals, sends the pulse signals as the first transmitted wave signal from the transmitting end, and sends them as the start signal to the TDC measurement module. The signal processing module receives the echo signal from the receiving end, processes it to obtain a filtered signal, and then sends it to the signal output module until a preset number of times. At the same time, the filtered signal after the preset number of times is sent to the TDC measurement module as a termination signal. The signal output module also transmits the filtered signal again from the transmitting end as a second transmitted wave signal; The first counter is used to count the number of times the filtered signal is sent to the signal output module; The TDC measurement module is used to obtain measurement results based on the start signal and the stop signal.

[0006] The ultrasonic measurement chip of this application generates a pulse signal through a control module that controls the signal output module. The generated pulse signal is used as a start signal and simultaneously emitted as a transmitted wave signal. The signal processing module receives the echo signal and processes it to obtain a filtered signal. The filtered signal is then emitted again as a transmitted wave signal through the signal output module. This process is repeated a preset number of times, and the filtered signal of the preset number of times, i.e., the last filtered signal, is used as a termination signal. Finally, the measurement result is obtained based on the start signal and the termination signal. This improves the measurement accuracy of the ultrasonic ranging chip while simultaneously reducing power consumption.

[0007] This application also provides an ultrasonic metering device, including the ultrasonic metering chip in the above embodiments, which can also improve the measurement accuracy of the ultrasonic metering chip while reducing power consumption. Attached Figure Description

[0008] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0009] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of an ultrasonic metering chip provided in one embodiment of this application; Figure 2 A structural block diagram of an ultrasonic metering chip provided in another embodiment of this application; Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of an analog comparator provided in another embodiment of this application; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of waveform changes during the operation of an ultrasonic metering chip, provided as another embodiment of this application; Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating the working principle of an ultrasonic metering chip provided in another embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0010] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this application.

[0011] The core of this application is to provide an ultrasonic metering chip and its device.

[0012] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Example

[0013] This application also discloses an ultrasonic metering chip, such as Figure 1-2 As shown.

[0014] The ultrasonic metering chip includes a signal output module 1, a signal processing module 2, and a TDC measurement module 3 connected in a one-to-one manner; a first counter 4 and a control module 6 are also connected between the signal processing module 2 and the signal output module 1; the output end of the signal output module 1 is also provided with a transmitter FIRE1, and the input end of the signal processing module 2 is also provided with a receiver FIRE2; The control module 6 is used to control the signal output module 1 to generate a preset frequency and number of pulse signals, and to send the pulse signals as the first transmission wave signal from the transmitter FIRE1, and at the same time send them as the start signal to the TDC measurement module 3; Specifically, the signal output module 1 includes a pulse generator 11 and a selector 12 connected to each other; the first end of the selector 12 is connected to the pulse generator 11, the second end is connected to the first counter 4, the signal processing module 2 and the control module 6, and the third end is connected to the TDC measurement module 3. At the same time, the third end of the selector 12 serves as the output end of the signal output module 1. The ultrasonic metering chip integrates a pulse generator 11 to generate pulse signals of a preset frequency and quantity, eliminating the need for additional settings. The control module 6 generates control commands for the pulse generator 21 based on test commands sent from an external microcontroller, thereby controlling the pulse generator 11 to start generating pulse signals of a preset frequency and quantity. The frequency and quantity of the pulse signals can be configured via registers as needed. Generally, the frequency of the pulse signals is configured according to the signal transmission frequency of the first sensor 8 set at the transmitting end FIRE1. Specifically, the frequency of the pulse signals is consistent with the signal transmission frequency of the first sensor 8 set at the transmitting end FIRE1.

[0015] Selector 12 is used to send the pulse signal as the first transmitted wave signal from transmitter FIRE1, and simultaneously send it as the start signal to TDC measurement module 3. The first transmitted wave signal is the first transmitted wave signal sent through transmitter FIRE1.

[0016] The control module 6 is used to control the signal processing module 2 to receive the echo signal from the receiving end FIRE2, process it to obtain a filtered signal and send it to the signal output module until a preset number of times. At the same time, the filtered signal of the preset number of times is sent to the TDC measurement module as a termination signal. Specifically, the signal processing module 2 includes an analog comparator 21 and a pulse filter 22; the input terminal of the analog comparator 21 serves as the input terminal of the signal processing module 2, and the output terminal is connected to the pulse filter 22; the output terminal of the pulse filter 22 is connected to the TDC measurement module 3, and also serves as the output terminal of the signal processing module, connected to the selector 22.

[0017] The analog comparator 21 is used to receive the echo signal from the receiver FIRE2. It should be noted that after the transmitted wave signal propagates through the carrier, it interacts with the target object and is reflected back by the target object; these reflected signals are the echo signals. The frequency of this echo signal is consistent with the signal receiving frequency of the second sensor located at the receiver FIRE2.

[0018] The analog comparator 21 is also used to perform threshold detection on the echo signal to obtain a valid echo signal, and to perform zero-crossing detection on the valid echo signal to obtain a square wave signal. It should be noted that the analog comparator 21 first performs threshold detection on the echo signal to obtain a valid echo signal. Specifically, the echo signal is compared with a preset threshold voltage. Only when the echo signal first exceeds the preset voltage threshold is it considered the first wave of that set of echo signals. This first wave of echo signal and subsequent echo signals are considered valid echo signals. To filter out interference, signals before this first wave of echo signal are directly considered interference signals and filtered out. It should be added that the preset voltage threshold can be configured through the comparator threshold register according to different needs. After obtaining a valid echo signal through threshold detection, analog comparator 21 automatically switches to zero-crossing comparison mode to perform zero-crossing comparison on the valid echo signal. This involves detecting the phase change in the valid echo signal waveform, specifically the transition point from the negative half-cycle to the positive half-cycle. Each time the measured signal crosses zero, the output signal undergoes a transition, thus shaping the received analog signal into a digital signal, i.e., a square wave signal. It should be noted that the zero-crossing threshold can be configured through the comparator threshold register according to different requirements.

[0019] In this embodiment, the analog comparator 21 is a precision comparator. The comparator range can be configured via a register, with a minimum range of 1mV. It can perform normal comparison even for small signals without additional amplification. Figure 3 As shown, after obtaining a valid echo signal through threshold detection, it automatically switches to zero-crossing comparison mode to perform zero-crossing comparison on the valid echo signal. This means that only one analog comparator is needed to simultaneously perform threshold detection and zero-crossing comparison. After completing the threshold detection and zero-crossing comparison, the analog comparator automatically enters sleep mode, further saving power.

[0020] The pulse filter 22 is used to filter the square wave signal to obtain a filtered signal, and sends the filtered signal to the signal output module 1 up to a preset number of times. At the same time, the filtered signal after the preset number of times is sent to the TDC measurement module 3 as a termination signal.

[0021] Selector 12 is also used to transmit the filtered signal again from transmitter FIRE1 as a second transmit signal.

[0022] Specifically, the square wave signal passes through pulse filter 22 to obtain a filtered signal with the expected position and number of signals. This filtered signal is then sent to selector 12, which uses it as the second transmit signal and sends it out again from transmitter FIRE1, thus completing one acoustic loop. Then, receiver FIRE2 receives the echo signal again, processes it through an analog comparator and pulse filter to obtain another filtered signal, and sends it out again from transmitter FIRE1 as the new second transmit signal. This cycle continues until a preset number of loops is reached. Simultaneously, the filtered signal from the preset number of loops, i.e., the final filtered signal, is sent as a termination signal to the TDC measurement module. The preset number of loops can be configured using registers. Higher loop counts result in higher accuracy but also higher power consumption. Therefore, the number of loops can be set as needed, typically from 1 to 63. It should be noted that the first counter 4 and control module 6, located between pulse filter 22 and selector 12, count and control the number of loops.

[0023] The first counter 4 is used to count the number of times the filtered signal is sent to the signal output module 1.

[0024] The TDC measurement module 3 is used to obtain measurement results based on the start and end signals. That is, it calculates the time difference between the start and end signals and divides it by the corresponding number of cycles to obtain the measurement result.

[0025] Furthermore, in order to filter interference signals, the ultrasonic metering chip also integrates a time shielding window function. Specifically, the ultrasonic metering chip also includes a second counter 5; the second counter 5 is connected between the transmitter and the receiver. The second counter 5 is used for: The timing is started simultaneously with the pulse signal being emitted from the transmitter as the first transmitted wave signal, so as to obtain the first timing duration; The self-filtered signal is used as the second transmitted wave signal to simultaneously control the timing to be reset to zero and restarted from the transmitting end, so as to obtain the first timing duration. When the first timing duration exceeds the first preset duration, the echo signal is acquired from the receiving end.

[0026] Specifically, the first timing duration is initiated simultaneously with the pulse signal being emitted as the first transmitted wave signal from the transmitting end FIRE1, or the timing is reset and restarted simultaneously with the filtered signal being emitted as the second transmitted wave signal from the transmitting end FIRE1. During the first timing duration, echo signals are blocked for a first preset duration until the first preset duration is reached, at which point the path between the analog comparator 21 and the receiving end FIRE2 is established to receive the echo signal. For example, this function can be achieved by setting a switch. By setting a shielding window for each cycle, interference signals can be effectively filtered out. The first preset duration, i.e., the shielding duration, is configured according to the pipe length.

[0027] Furthermore, the ultrasonic metering chip also integrates an overflow detection function. Specifically, the ultrasonic metering chip includes a third counter 7; the third counter 7 is connected between the transmitter FIRE1 and the control module 6. Control module 6 is also used for: The self-pulse signal is emitted from the transmitter as the first transmit wave signal, and at the same time, the third counter is controlled to start timing; or the self-filtered signal is emitted from the transmitter again as the second transmit wave signal, and at the same time, the third counter is controlled to reset to zero and restart timing, so as to obtain the second timing duration. If the second transmitted wave signal is not emitted from the transmitting end again within the second preset time period, the control will interrupt the measurement.

[0028] Specifically, the second timing duration starts simultaneously with the first transmitted wave signal being emitted from transmitter FIRE1, or the timing is reset to zero and restarted simultaneously with the filtered signal being used as the second transmitted wave signal and emitted from transmitter FIRE1 again. The control module determines whether the second transmitted wave signal is emitted from transmitter FIRE1 again within the second preset duration. If it is not emitted, it is determined that an overflow has occurred, and the measurement is immediately interrupted. By setting an overflow time for each cycle, i.e., if an overflow occurs within a single cycle, the acoustic loop process is automatically terminated immediately, which can greatly reduce power consumption.

[0029] It should be added that the first preset duration and the second preset duration can also be configured through registers.

[0030] Explained, compared to related solutions, which typically require a longer wait time before an interrupt occurs—for example, when designing a sound loop test with 20 cycles and a single flight time of 60µs; the measurement range is set to be at least 1.2ms—existing solutions require a 1.2ms wait before overflow occurs, resulting in significant power consumption during this waiting period. This application, however, allows setting the overflow time for a single cycle, such as a 64µs overflow time. Therefore, when an overflow occurs, an interrupt is generated only after a 64µs wait, significantly reducing power consumption.

[0031] The ultrasonic metering chip has a first sensor 8 at its transmitter FIRE1 and a second sensor 9 at its receiver. Both the first sensor 8 and the second sensor 9 can transmit a first transmitted wave signal and a second transmitted wave signal, and receive an echo signal. The frequencies of the first and second transmitted wave signals are consistent with the transmission frequencies of the first sensor 8 and the second sensor 9; the frequency of the echo signal is consistent with the receiving frequencies of the first sensor 8 and the second sensor 9.

[0032] In this embodiment, the ultrasonic metering chip uses the time difference method to measure the flow rate of the carrier. It uses two opposing sensors, FIRE1 at the transmitter and FIRE2 at the receiver, to send and receive ultrasonic signals. Each sensor has both signal transmission and signal reception functions. It samples the positive flow time and the negative flow time between a single transmission and reception, and calculates the carrier flow rate by the time difference between these two quantities.

[0033] Specifically, Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of waveform changes during the operation of the ultrasonic metering chip. The specific working process of the ultrasonic metering chip is as follows: Figure 5 As shown: A: Configure register parameters; these parameters include: pulse signal frequency and number, preset number of cycles, preset threshold voltage, first preset duration, and second preset duration. B: Initialization operation; Receive initialization command to perform initialization operation and prepare for measurement; C: Start downstream measurement; Receive downstream measurement command, wait for interrupt signal; D: Upon receiving an interrupt signal, read the status register; read the status register to determine if an overflow has occurred; if an overflow occurs, end the measurement. E: If no overflow occurs, read the downstream result register; F: Initialization operation; Receive initialization command to perform initialization operation and prepare for measurement; G: Start reverse flow measurement; Receive reverse flow measurement command, wait for interrupt signal; H: Upon receiving an interrupt signal, read the status register; read the status register to determine if an overflow has occurred; if an overflow occurs, end the measurement. I: If no overflow occurs, read the reverse flow result register; G: Calculate the time difference using the time in the forward and reverse flow result registers and divide by the corresponding number of acoustic rings.

[0034] It should be noted that the first sensor 8 at the transmitting end FIRE1 and the second sensor 9 at the receiving end FIRE2 both have signal transmission and signal reception functions. Therefore, in downstream measurement, the transmitting end FIRE1 is used as the signal transmitter and the receiving end FIRE2 is used as the signal receiver, and the above-described ultrasonic measurement method is performed to obtain the downstream measurement result. In upstream measurement, the receiving end FIRE2 is used as the new signal transmitter and the transmitting end FIRE1 is used as the new signal receiver, and the above-described ultrasonic measurement method is performed to obtain the upstream measurement result. Finally, based on the downstream measurement result, the upstream measurement result, and the number of acoustic loops, the final measurement result is obtained. Example

[0035] This application also provides an ultrasonic metering device, including the ultrasonic metering chip in any of the above embodiments.

[0036] The ultrasonic metering chip and apparatus provided in this application have been described in detail above. The various embodiments in the specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. For the apparatus disclosed in the embodiments, since it corresponds to the method disclosed in the embodiments, the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to in the method section. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to this application without departing from the principles of this application, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this application.

[0037] It should also be noted that, in this specification, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic metering chip, characterized in that, It includes a signal output module, a signal processing module, a TDC measurement module, a first counter, and a control module that are connected accordingly; the output end of the signal output module is also provided with a transmitter, and the input end of the signal processing module is also provided with a receiver; The control module is used to control: The signal output module generates a preset frequency and number of pulse signals, sends the pulse signals as the first transmitted wave signal from the transmitting end, and sends them as the start signal to the TDC measurement module. The signal processing module receives the echo signal from the receiving end, processes it to obtain a filtered signal, and then sends it to the signal output module until a preset number of times. At the same time, the filtered signal after the preset number of times is sent to the TDC measurement module as a termination signal. The signal output module also transmits the filtered signal again from the transmitting end as a second transmitted wave signal; The first counter is used to count the number of times the filtered signal is sent to the signal output module; The TDC measurement module is used to obtain measurement results based on the start signal and the stop signal.

2. The ultrasonic metering chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal output module includes a pulse generator and a selector; the first end of the selector is connected to the pulse generator, the second end is connected to the first counter, the signal processing module and the control module, and the third end is connected to the TDC measurement module. The third end of the selector also serves as the output end of the signal output module. The pulse generator is used to generate pulse signals of a preset frequency and quantity; The selector is used to send the pulse signal as the first transmit wave signal from the transmitting end, and at the same time send it as the start signal to the TDC measurement module.

3. The ultrasonic metering chip according to claim 2, characterized in that, The signal processing module includes an analog comparator and a pulse filter; the input terminal of the analog comparator serves as the input terminal of the signal processing module, and the output terminal is connected to the pulse filter; the output terminal of the pulse filter is connected to the TDC measurement module and a selector. The analog comparator is used to receive the echo signal from the receiving end, perform threshold detection on it to obtain a valid echo signal, and perform zero-crossing detection on the valid echo signal to obtain a square wave signal. The pulse filter is used to filter the square wave signal to obtain a filtered signal, and sends the filtered signal to the selector until a preset number of times. At the same time, the filtered signal after the preset number of times is sent to the TDC measurement module as a termination signal. The selector is also used to transmit the filtered signal again from the transmitting end as a second transmitted wave signal.

4. The ultrasonic metering chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a second counter; the first end of the second counter is connected to the transmitter and the second end is connected to the receiver; The second counter is used for: Timing starts simultaneously with the pulse signal being emitted from the transmitting end as the first transmitted wave signal, so as to obtain the first timing duration; The first timing duration is obtained by simultaneously resetting the timer and restarting the timer from the transmitting end when the filtered signal is used as the second transmitted wave signal; When the first timing duration is greater than the first preset duration, the signal output module receives the echo signal from the receiving end.

5. The ultrasonic metering chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a third counter; the third counter is connected between the transmitter and the control module; The control module is also used for: The third counter is controlled to start timing when the pulse signal is emitted from the transmitting end as the first transmission wave signal, or the third counter is controlled to be reset to zero and restart timing when the filtered signal is emitted from the transmitting end as the second transmission wave signal, so as to obtain the second timing duration. If the second transmitted wave signal is not emitted from the transmitting end again within the second preset time period, the measurement is interrupted.

6. The ultrasonic metering chip according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The transmitting end is equipped with a first sensor, and the receiving end is equipped with a second sensor. Both the first sensor and the second sensor are capable of sending a first transmitted wave signal and a second transmitted wave signal, and receiving an echo signal.

7. The ultrasonic metering chip according to claim 6, characterized in that, The frequencies of the first transmitted wave signal and the second transmitted wave signal are consistent with the transmission frequencies of the first sensor and the second sensor; the frequency of the echo signal is consistent with the receiving frequencies of the first sensor and the second sensor.

8. The ultrasonic metering chip according to claim 3, characterized in that, The analog comparator automatically enters sleep mode after completing threshold detection and zero-crossing comparison.

9. The ultrasonic metering chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a register through which the frequency and number of pulse signals, and the preset number of cycles can be configured.

10. An ultrasonic measuring device, characterized in that, Includes the ultrasonic metering chip according to any one of claims 1-9.

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