Complex Adaptive Phase Discriminator for Dynamic Frequency Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional frequency estimation methods, such as Fourier analysis, are inadequate for dynamic motor environments as they assume stationary conditions, leading to loss of transient information and impractical observation periods, which is detrimental for accurate slip estimation in motor analysis.

Innovation Solution

The Complex Adaptive Phase Discriminator (PD) is an adaptive filter that estimates instantaneous frequency of dynamic complex signals with rapid convergence and high accuracy, employing novel architectures and efficient normalization techniques suitable for real-time applications, even in environments with limited computational resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If Fourier analysis is used with extended observation period to improve frequency resolution, then frequency resolution is improved, but transient information is lost due to violation of stationary condition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency resolutionVSAvoidtransient information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the observation period into multiple shorter frames, each processed independently by the Fourier transform. This segmentation allows frequency analysis to be performed on stationary segments while preserving temporal information about when frequency changes occur, resolving the contradiction between frequency resolution and transient information preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic frame-based processing where the signal is continuously divided into overlapping or non-overlapping frames that can be processed in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing frequency conditions while maintaining the stationary assumption within each frame, enabling both high frequency resolution and transient detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If Fourier analysis uses fixed period of observation to improve frequency resolution, then frequency resolution is improved, but temporal resolution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency resolutionVSAvoidtemporal resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the signal into fixed-period frames for Fourier analysis, the patent achieves high frequency resolution within each frame while maintaining temporal resolution through the frame structure itself. The frame boundaries and their temporal positions provide the temporal resolution information that would otherwise be lost in a single long observation period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies periodic frame-based processing where the signal is continuously divided into repeating frames of fixed duration. This periodic action allows the system to maintain consistent frequency resolution across all frames while the sequence of frames provides temporal information about frequency evolution, effectively resolving the temporal resolution dilemma.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Device complexity

If conventional frequency estimation methods are used in dynamic motor environments, then computational simplicity is maintained, but accuracy deteriorates due to non-stationary conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational simplicityVSAvoidfrequency estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the dynamic motor signal into stationary frames, allowing conventional Fourier analysis to be applied to each frame with high accuracy. This segmentation approach maintains computational simplicity by using standard Fourier transforms while improving accuracy by ensuring the stationary assumption holds within each frame, even in dynamic motor environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic frame-based processing that adapts to changing motor conditions by continuously analyzing new frames. This dynamic approach maintains computational simplicity through efficient frame-by-frame processing while improving accuracy by capturing transient motor behavior that conventional methods miss, effectively resolving the accuracy-simplicity contradiction in dynamic environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2649721B1Complex adaptive phase discriminator
Publication Date: 2018.10.17 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA INC
  • EP2649721B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2649721B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2649721B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A Complex Adaptive Phase Discriminator (PD), as presented in some concepts of the present disclosure, is an adaptive filter that accurately estimates the instantaneous frequency of a dynamic complex signal. The PD can demonstrate accurate instantaneous frequency estimation and rapid convergence in dynamic complex signal environments, even when the frequency of its input may change rapidly. A direct PD architecture can estimate the instantaneous frequency of a complex primary signal, iteratively adapting a phase of a complex exponential by minimizing the mean squared error of a complex error signal. Instantaneous frequency can be directly estimated from the phase of the complex exponential. In contrast, an indirect PD architecture can estimate the instantaneous frequency of a complex primary signal, iteratively adapting a complex coefficient by minimizing the mean squared error of a complex error signal. Instantaneous frequency can be indirectly estimated by extracting the phase of the complex coefficient.