ADC Circuitry Squaring Sum of Squared Current

Solution Overview

Problem

Current battery management systems face challenges in efficiently measuring and calculating the sum of squared current data, particularly in terms of cost-effectiveness and physical footprint, while reusing existing ADC circuitry.

Innovation Solution

A current measuring system comprising a modulator, decimation filters, and a multiplier circuit that generates oversampled noise-shaped signals, allowing for the computation of power measurements by squaring instantaneous current data and reducing data rates through cascaded integrator-comb structures and sinc filters, thereby reusing existing ADC circuitry and minimizing physical space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate dedicated circuitry is used to calculate sum of squared current, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesum of squared current measurement precisionVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the existing ADC circuitry perform multiple functions: it both converts current to digital values and calculates the sum of squared current values. The digital-to-analog converter is used in a feedback loop where its output is squared and summed, allowing the same hardware to serve dual purposes without requiring separate dedicated calculation circuitry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own existing ADC circuitry to generate the sum of squared current data without needing external or additional specialized components. The ADC's digital output is fed into squaring and summation logic that is integrated within the same device, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for separate measurement circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If separate dedicated circuitry is used to calculate sum of squared current, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesum of squared current measurement precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the existing ADC circuitry perform multiple functions: it both converts current to digital values and calculates the sum of squared current values. The digital-to-analog converter is used in a feedback loop where its output is squared and summed, allowing the same hardware to serve dual purposes without requiring separate dedicated calculation circuitry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own existing ADC circuitry to generate the sum of squared current data without needing external or additional specialized components. The ADC's digital output is fed into squaring and summation logic that is integrated within the same device, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for separate measurement circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If separate dedicated circuitry is used to calculate sum of squared current, then measurement precision is improved, but physical footprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesum of squared current measurement precisionVSAvoidcircuit physical footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the existing ADC circuitry perform multiple functions: it both converts current to digital values and calculates the sum of squared current values. The digital-to-analog converter is used in a feedback loop where its output is squared and summed, allowing the same hardware to serve dual purposes without requiring separate dedicated calculation circuitry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent embeds the sum of squared current calculation functionality within the existing ADC circuitry structure. The squaring and summation operations are integrated into the feedback path of the ADC, nesting the measurement calculation function inside the existing conversion circuitry rather than adding separate external components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS8843538B2Measuring sum of squared current

Publication Date: 2014.09.23 ATMEL CORP

AI summary

A modulator can be configured to sense a change in current flow in a circuit and to generate an oversampled, noise-shaped signal. A first decimation filter is coupled to the modulator and is configured to generate instantaneous current data at a first data rate. The instantaneous current data can be input into a multiplier circuit. The output of the multiplier circuit (the instantaneous current data squared) can be input to a second decimation filter. The second decimation filter can be configured to generate a sum of the squared current data at a second data rate. The sum of the squared current data can be used by an application (e.g., battery power management) to compute power measurements or for other purposes.