Microcontroller ADC Channel Selection for Flexible Multi-Channel Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) in microcontrollers face restrictive and inefficient constraints in input channel selection and conversion timing, limiting flexibility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating multiple input channel multiplexers, a selection register, and a data structure that allows for flexible selection of multiple channels for conversion in one round, where channels with higher indices are converted before those with lower indices, using a binary value to index memory address offsets for channel selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional ADC channel selection methods are used, then the ADC can convert analog signals to digital form, but the conversion process is constrained by restrictive timing and channel selection limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel selection process into multiple independent components: a selection register for choosing channels, a data structure with field sets for organizing channel options, and a binary value-based selection mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently, eliminating restrictive timing constraints while maintaining organized channel selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic channel selection where the ADC can adaptively choose which channels to convert based on runtime conditions. The selection register and data structure enable flexible, dynamic configuration of conversion channels without fixed timing constraints, allowing the system to respond to changing operational requirements.
2Productivity
If multiple channels are converted in one round, then productivity improves, but the conversion order becomes constrained by traditional indexing methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary organization of channel options in the data structure with pre-defined field sets before the actual conversion process. This preliminary structuring allows the ADC to efficiently select and convert multiple channels in one round without runtime constraints on conversion order, as all selection criteria are pre-configured in the data structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the selection parameter from traditional sequential indexing to binary value-based selection. This parameter change enables flexible ordering of channel conversions by allowing arbitrary selection of which channels to convert and in what order, based on the binary values in the selection register rather than fixed sequential indexing.
3Ease of operation
If channel selection is simplified, then ease of operation improves, but the number of selectable channels and configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal channel selection mechanism that can handle multiple channels and configurations through a single unified data structure. The field sets in the data structure can represent different channel groups and configurations, allowing the same selection register and binary value mechanism to accommodate diverse channel selection needs without simplifying the underlying versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A microcontroller includes a microcontroller core and an analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”) coupled to said microcontroller core. The ADC has multiple input channel multiplexers that are configured to receive multiple analog input channels. The microcontroller further includes a selection register and a data structure. The data structure comprises a plurality of associated field sets. Each bit position in the selection register indexes to one of the associated field sets in the data structure, and the value contained in each such bit position indicates whether or not to select the corresponding associated field set for selection of an analog input channel. Each associated field set comprises one or more values collectively specifying an analog input channel to select for conversion to digital form.