ADC Sampling Control for Irregular PWM Trigger Scheduling

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing analog-to-digital conversion systems in PWM applications face inefficiencies due to fixed and non-adjustable sampling intervals, leading to high software overhead and limited dynamic scheduling capabilities as the frequency of PWM signals increases.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a configurable analog-to-digital conversion module that performs nonperiodic sampling sequences, allowing each sample's timing to be independent of others, with hardware configuration at the beginning of each PWM interval to complete sampling without interrupts, using a trigger pulse generation module and ADC module to generate timing trigger signals based on a predetermined sampling schedule.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed interval sampling is used, then the sampling sequence is simple to implement, but the sampling timing cannot be dynamically adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling timing flexibilityVSAvoidsampling sequence complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic sampling by allowing the sampling interval to be changed during operation. The sampling module can switch between different sampling intervals (first sampling interval and second sampling interval) based on system conditions, making the sampling timing flexible and adaptable to varying PWM frequencies and load requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the sampling interval parameter dynamically. By adjusting the sampling interval between a first sampling interval and a second sampling interval, the system can adapt to different PWM frequencies and operational conditions without requiring complete redesign of the sampling sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If frequent interrupts are used for dynamic sampling scheduling, then the sampling can be flexible, but the software overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling scheduling flexibilityVSAvoidsoftware overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The sampling module autonomously determines when to perform sampling based on the relationship between PWM frequency and sampling interval. It self-manages the sampling trigger generation without requiring external interrupt intervention for each sampling decision, reducing software overhead while maintaining flexible sampling scheduling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures multiple sampling intervals and selects the appropriate one based on anticipated PWM frequency conditions. This preliminary preparation allows the sampling module to switch between sampling modes without requiring runtime interrupt handling for interval selection, reducing software overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If fixed number of samples per PWM interval is used, then the sampling sequence is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying PWM frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling efficiencyVSAvoidPWM frequency adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic sampling by allowing the sampling interval to be changed during operation. The sampling module can switch between different sampling intervals (first sampling interval and second sampling interval) based on system conditions, making the sampling timing flexible and adaptable to varying PWM frequencies and load requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the sampling interval parameter dynamically. By adjusting the sampling interval between a first sampling interval and a second sampling interval, the system can adapt to different PWM frequencies and operational conditions without requiring complete redesign of the sampling sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7916053B2Analog-to-digital conversion module adapted for irregular sampling sequences

Publication Date: 2011.03.29 NXP USA INC

AI summary

Apparatus and methods are provided for performing a sampling sequence for a plurality of samples. An analog-to-digital conversion module comprises a sampling module, a register, and a sampling control module coupled to the sampling module and the register. The sampling module is configured to convert analog signals into corresponding digital values in response to sampling trigger signals and the register is configured to maintain scan mode criteria for a plurality of samples. The sampling control module is configured to identify a scan mode criterion for a respective sample of the plurality of samples, automatically generate a sampling trigger signal when the scan mode criterion for the respective sample is equal to a first value, and generate the sampling trigger signal in response to a timing trigger signal when the scan mode criterion for the respective sample is equal to a second value.