Adaptive Data Acquisition Paths for Lower Power Consumption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data acquisition systems with multiple paths face a tradeoff between enhancing dynamic range and performance and minimizing power consumption, as optimizing one aspect often compromises the other.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that dynamically deactivate one data path based on the magnitude of the input signal using a signal estimator, allowing for power savings by selectively powering down less necessary paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple data paths are activated to enhance dynamic range and performance, then the dynamic range and performance are improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic rangeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the number of active data paths based on real-time signal conditions. A signal estimator continuously monitors the input signal magnitude and controls the activation state of parallel data paths, switching between one-path and two-path operation modes to match actual processing needs, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining required performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the data acquisition system by varying the number of active data paths according to signal characteristics. When the signal estimator detects low signal magnitude, the system operates with fewer paths; when high magnitude is detected, additional paths are activated, thus adapting the system's energy consumption and processing capability to match the actual signal requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple data paths are activated to improve performance, then performance is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveperformanceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The data acquisition system is segmented into multiple independent but functionally similar data paths that can operate independently or in parallel. Each data path processes signals through similar stages (amplification, filtering, ADC conversion), allowing the system to activate only the necessary number of segments based on performance requirements, thereby managing complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The parallel data paths are designed with universal functionality, where each path can independently perform the complete signal processing function. This universality allows the system to flexibly activate one or more identical paths depending on performance needs, simplifying the control logic and system design compared to having fundamentally different processing architectures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11188108B2Minimizing power consumption in a data acquisition path

Publication Date: 2021.11.30 CIRRUS LOGIC INC

AI summary

A data acquisition system may include an input for receiving an input signal for the data acquisition system, a plurality of data paths including a first data path and a second data path, and a signal estimator configured to determine a magnitude of the input signal using estimation of the input signal and dynamically deactivate one of the first and second data paths based on the magnitude of the input signal.