Analog Circuit for Light Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for analyzing light signals in medical diagnosis and acousto-optic imaging face challenges in miniaturization, limiting their ability to perform in vivo experiments due to inadequate signal-to-noise ratio and requiring extensive space for multiple measurements.
Innovation Solution
An analog electronic circuit is developed for processing light signals, integrated into a small-sized circuit of 42×44 μm, enabling simultaneous use of multiple measurement devices to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio and facilitate medical diagnostic applications with improved spatial resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the device is miniaturized to increase the number of measurements on a given detection area, then the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but the device complexity increases due to integration constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components (photodetector, amplifier, modulator, and measurement device) into a single integrated circuit. This consolidation allows the device to be miniaturized to 42 x 44 μm while maintaining all necessary functions, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio through increased measurement density without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit is designed to perform multiple functions within a single device: light detection, signal amplification, modulation, and measurement. This multi-functionality enables the miniaturized device to replicate the capabilities of larger separate components, improving measurement precision while controlling overall device complexity
2Measurement precision
If a significant acquisition time is used to obtain a large number of measurements, then the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous measurement capability through the integrated circuit, allowing measurements to be performed continuously over time without interruption. This enables the accumulation of a large number of measurements (improving signal-to-noise ratio) while maintaining high productivity, as the device can simultaneously perform multiple measurements across many integrated pixels rather than sequentially
3Measurement precision
If a large number of measurements are performed simultaneously over the same time interval, then the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple measurement devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions into a single integrated circuit that contains numerous pixels (each functioning as a measurement device). This allows simultaneous measurements across many pixels within the same time interval, improving the signal-to-noise ratio while avoiding the complexity of physically separate measurement devices through monolithic integration
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The miniaturized circuit allows for a significant increase in signal-to-noise ratio, enabling effective use in medical diagnostics and acousto-optical imaging with high spatial resolution, enabling optical contrast measurements and simultaneous processing of multiple images without the need for extensive space or long acquisition times.
Implementation Method 1
a photodetector (6) adapted to produce an electrical signal (8) from the light signal (4)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
This analog electronic circuit (2) for processing a light signal (4), of the type comprising: a photodetector (6) adapted for producing an electric signal (8) from the light signal (4); a multiplier (12) adapted for multiplying the electric signal (8) with a reference signal (14) for obtaining a multiplied signal (16); and an integrator (18) adapted for integrating the multiplied signal (16) over at least one time interval, in order to obtain one integrated signal, is characterized in that it further comprises: an analog memory (24) adapted for storing the integrated signal in memory; and a computing unit adapted for estimating a time correlation of the light signal (4) from the integrated signal stored in memory.