Multi-Channel AD Conversion with Timing Control for Simultaneous Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receiving apparatuses that perform multichannel sampling using internal A/D converters are unable to sample sensor signals from multiple channels simultaneously due to timing constraints, limiting their ability to capture subtle changes and process signals in real-time.
Innovation Solution
An input unit with an analog-to-digital (AD) conversion unit for each sensor and a timing control unit that synchronizes the sampling periods of multiple AD conversion units, allowing simultaneous sampling of sensor signals across multiple channels, along with a filter processing unit and data generation unit for high-accuracy data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multichannel sampling is realized by the internal processing of an A/D converter, then device complexity is reduced, but sampling precision deteriorates because simultaneous sampling of multiple channels is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the system into multiple independent A/D conversion units, each dedicated to a specific sensor channel. This segmentation allows each unit to operate independently with its own timing control, enabling simultaneous sampling across multiple channels while maintaining individual precision requirements for each sensor type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a timing control unit as an intermediary that coordinates the operation of multiple A/D conversion units. This mediator synchronizes the sampling timing across all channels, ensuring that samples are taken simultaneously from multiple sensors without requiring a single complex A/D converter, thus resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and sampling precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single A/D converter is used for multiple sensors, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but productivity deteriorates because multichannel simultaneous sampling cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using one A/D converter for all sensors, the system segments the conversion function across multiple dedicated A/D units. Each unit handles a specific channel, enabling parallel operation and simultaneous sampling of multiple sensors, which significantly improves productivity while keeping individual unit costs low.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple simple A/D conversion units under a unified timing control system. While each unit remains simple and inexpensive to manufacture, their coordinated operation through the timing control unit achieves the functional equivalent of a complex multichannel simultaneous sampling system, thus improving productivity without proportionally increasing manufacturing cost.
3Device complexity
If sampling period is extended to accommodate multiple channels with a single A/D converter, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases because sampling cannot occur simultaneously across channels
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the sampling function across multiple independent A/D units, each capable of operating on its own timing schedule. This allows simultaneous sampling across all channels without requiring sequential processing, thereby eliminating the time loss associated with extended sampling periods while keeping each unit relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The timing control unit acts as an intermediary that coordinates multiple A/D conversion units to sample simultaneously. By managing the timing of each channel independently yet synchronously, it enables parallel sampling operations that reduce the overall sampling period and prevent time loss, while the modular structure maintains device simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A technology capable of sampling sensor signals in a plurality of channels simultaneously is realized. An input unit is capable of inputting sensor signals from a plurality of sensors, and includes an analog-to-digital (AD) conversion unit which is disposed with respect to each of the plurality of sensors and acquires the sensor signal from each of the sensors and converts the sensor signal into a digital signal, and a timing control unit which controls timing at which a plurality of the AD conversion units acquire the sensor signal for each of the AD conversion units according to a sampling period of each of the plurality of sensors.