Arbitrary Waveform Generator for Portable Current-Controlled Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable electronic devices are limited in generating high-frequency arbitrary current waveforms due to the substantial volume required by conventional waveform generator circuitry, restricting them to only applying square waves to current-controlled components.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device system that includes a current-controlled light source and a waveform generator with a phase-locked loop, shift register, and digital to analog converter, capable of generating arbitrary current waveforms by oversampling and decimating clock signals to produce high-frequency outputs in phase with the system clock, allowing for precise control of waveform parameters like frequency, phase, and direct current bias.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional waveform generator circuitry is used to generate high-frequency arbitrary current waveforms, then waveform generation capability is improved, but device volume increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional analog waveform generator circuitry with a digital implementation using a microcontroller, phase-locked loop, and digital-to-analog converter. This substitution of digital logic for analog circuits significantly reduces the physical volume required while maintaining the ability to generate arbitrary high-frequency waveforms through software-controlled digital signal processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a phase-locked loop to multiply the system clock frequency by a factor of 10 or more, generating high-frequency output waveforms from a lower-frequency system clock. This frequency multiplication technique allows arbitrary waveform generation at frequencies much higher than the base system clock without requiring proportionally higher-speed digital circuits, thereby reducing device volume
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional waveform generator circuitry is used, then arbitrary waveform generation is enabled, but the device becomes unsuitable for portable applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky conventional waveform generator hardware with a compact digital implementation integrated into a microcontroller-based system. The use of software-defined waveforms stored in memory and generated through digital signal processing enables arbitrary waveform capability while maintaining a form factor suitable for portable electronic devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal waveform generation system where a single digital-to-analog converter and phase-locked loop circuit can generate multiple waveform types (sine, square, triangle, arbitrary) by loading different digital sample sequences from memory. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits for each waveform type, significantly reducing overall device volume and improving portability
3Device complexity
If only square waves are applied to current-controlled components, then device simplicity is maintained, but waveform flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a phase-locked loop to multiply the system clock frequency, enabling the digital-to-analog converter to output waveforms at frequencies much higher than the system clock. This frequency multiplication allows the simple microcontroller-based system to generate high-frequency arbitrary waveforms by simply changing the digital sample data loaded into the waveform memory, providing waveform flexibility without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamically reconfigurable waveform generation system where the waveform characteristics (frequency, amplitude, shape) can be changed in real-time by loading different digital sample sequences from memory. The phase-locked loop dynamically adjusts its output frequency based on the selected waveform program, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements without hardware changes
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
Enables the generation of arbitrary current waveforms at high resolution, suitable for powering current-controlled elements in portable devices, enhancing the precision and flexibility of optoelectronic systems like proximity sensors and optical communication systems while maintaining a compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
The controller includes a phase-locked loop configured to receive an input clock signal and to output an oversampled clock signal
Implementation Method 2
a digital to analog converter configured to receive the digital value output from the waveform register. In response, the digital to analog converter is configured to change a current output from the converter
Data Source
AI summary
An arbitrary current waveform generator operates by oversampling an input clock signal, and decimating the oversampled clock signal to a decimated clock signal. The oversampled clock signal can be provided as a clock signal to a shift register preloaded with digital values corresponding to samples of a selected waveform to provide as output, and the decimated clock signal can be used to maintain phase synchronization with the input clock signal. Digital output of the shift register is provided to a digital to analog converter, output from which may be used to drive a current-controlled electronic circuit element.