Matched Filtering for Atomic Sensor and Co-Sensor Noise Fusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Atomic quantum sensors experience downtime and suffer from high-frequency noise issues due to their pulsed measurement nature, which is exacerbated in environments with significant environmental noise, such as on moving platforms, and existing hybrid solutions do not optimally account for the different spectral responses of atomic and non-atomic sensors, leading to suboptimal noise rejection.

Innovation Solution

A measurement device incorporating an atomic sensor and a non-atomic co-sensor with a non-causal filter that compensates for the frequency-dependent response of the co-sensor to mitigate noise in the atomic sensor's output, using a matched filter that can be either non-causal for optimal post-correction or causal for real-time processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensor fusion is used to combine atomic sensor with non-atomic co-sensor, then long-term accuracy and short-term performance are improved, but high-frequency environmental noise is not optimally rejected due to unaccounted spectral responses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidhigh-frequency environmental noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the filter transfer function to account for the spectral response characteristics of both the atomic sensor and non-atomic co-sensor. Specifically, the filter is designed with a transfer function H(f) that incorporates the ratio of the atomic sensor transfer function A(f) to the co-sensor transfer function C(f), thereby optimizing noise rejection across different frequency bands while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using the output of the non-atomic co-sensor to correct the atomic sensor measurements through a carefully designed filter. The co-sensor continuously monitors environmental noise, and this information is fed back through the filter to compensate for high-frequency noise in the atomic sensor output, creating a closed-loop noise cancellation system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If non-causal filter is used for optimal noise rejection, then measurement accuracy is improved, but real-time processing capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidreal-time processing delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by providing a flexible filter design that can adapt between causal and non-causal configurations based on processing requirements. The filter transfer function H(f) = A(f)/C(f) can be implemented with different phase characteristics, allowing the system to switch between optimal post-processing (non-causal) and real-time processing (causal with phase compensation) modes depending on the application needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by collecting and storing co-sensor data that extends beyond the immediate measurement time point. For non-causal filtering, the system uses future co-sensor measurements (relative to the atomic sensor measurement time) to optimize noise rejection, performing the filtering operation after all necessary data is available, thereby achieving optimal accuracy when real-time processing is not critical.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Duration of action of stationary object

If dual atomic sensor system is used to mitigate downtime effects, then measurement continuity is improved, but hardware complexity and risk of failure increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement continuityVSAvoidhardware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a non-atomic co-sensor as a mediator between the environmental noise and the atomic sensor measurements. The co-sensor continuously monitors the noise environment and provides correction signals to the atomic sensor output through a filter, enabling a single atomic sensor to achieve measurement continuity equivalent to multiple atomic sensors while avoiding the hardware complexity and failure risks of redundant atomic sensor systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4375616A1Filtering for co-sensor fusion in atomic sensors
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 VECTOR ATOMIC INC
  • EP4375616A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4375616A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4375616A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments herein described using a matched filter in a measurement device that includes an atomic sensor with a co-sensor. In one embodiment, the matched filter is a non-causal filter. Embodiments herein also describe a method for producing a matched filter by determining a filter transfer function from the transfer functions of the atomic sensor and the co-sensor. The method can be used to produce a matched filter that is non-causal but can also generate a causal filter for time sensitive applications.