Multi-Channel ADC Scanning with Hardware Enable-Bit Sequencing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing analog to digital converters face inefficiencies when converting signals from multiple channels, as they require significant software overhead to determine which channel to handle next, leading to idle time and increased energy consumption for disabled channels.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a separate enable bit for each channel in an analog to digital converter system, allowing rapid conversion of enabled channels with minimal idle time and using a low power consumption mode between conversion sequences, where the converter identifies the next enabled channel automatically after completing a sequence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If software is used to determine which channel to handle next, then channel selection flexibility is improved, but processing time and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel selection flexibilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The ADC system automatically manages channel selection through hardware-based enable bits and sequential counting logic, eliminating the need for software intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously determining which channels are enabled and processing them in sequence, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the software-based channel selection mechanism with a hardware-based automatic sequencing system using enable bits and counters. This substitution eliminates software overhead and execution delays, significantly reducing processing time while preserving channel selection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If software is used to determine which channel to handle next, then channel selection flexibility is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel selection flexibilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The ADC system autonomously manages channel selection through hardware mechanisms, eliminating continuous software polling and processing. This self-service approach reduces energy consumption by keeping the system in low-power states when not actively converting, while still maintaining the ability to selectively process enabled channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic enable bit checking and sequential channel processing only when needed, rather than continuous software monitoring. This periodic operation reduces energy consumption by allowing the ADC to enter low-power modes between conversion sequences while maintaining channel selection flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If channels are processed in rapid succession, then productivity is improved, but idle time between channels increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion speedVSAvoididle time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous useful action by eliminating idle time between channel conversions through automatic sequential processing. The hardware-based sequencing ensures that the ADC immediately transitions from one enabled channel to the next without software intervention delays, maintaining continuous productive operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates the software overhead component from the channel switching process. By removing software intervention entirely and using hardware-based enable bits and counters, the system eliminates the time-consuming software execution steps that previously caused idle time between conversions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If disabled channels are included in conversion sequence, then channel scanning completeness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel scanning completenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by treating enabled and disabled channels differently through enable bits. The system selectively processes only enabled channels while skipping disabled ones, ensuring completeness for active channels while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption on disabled channels. Each channel receives customized treatment based on its enable status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7944384B2Device and method for scanning multiple ADC channels

Publication Date: 2011.05.17 ATMEL CORP

AI summary

An analog to digital converter has an input for coupling to multiple channels having analog signals. The analog to digital converter converts the analog signals on such channels to provide a digital output. A memory device has an enable bit for each of the multiple channels and a current channel register. An interface coupled to the memory device and current channel register selects a next channel for converting by the analog to digital converter, skipping channels that are not enabled.