Biopotential Signal Coprocessor Buffering to Reduce Lag and Jitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computer processors struggle to keep up with the high data rate of biopotential signals collected by artificial-reality devices, leading to lagging and jitter, which negatively impacts user experience.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a supplementary processor into the biopotential signal pipeline to offload data handling from the primary processor, allowing it to enter a low-power mode and reducing jitter, thereby improving signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the primary processor handles all biopotential signal processing, then signal processing capability is sufficient, but processing speed and timing precision deteriorate due to lag and jitter
Solution Approach 1:
The processing system is segmented into two independent processors: a supplementary processor (coprocessor) that handles ADC control, data buffering, and preliminary processing, and a primary processor that handles high-level analysis. This segmentation allows the supplementary processor to manage time-critical sampling operations without burdening the primary processor, thereby eliminating lag and jitter while maintaining sufficient processing capability.
2Reliability
If the primary processor continuously processes biopotential signals, then processing capability is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supplementary processor is designed to independently handle ADC control, data buffering, and preliminary signal processing without requiring continuous intervention from the primary processor. This self-service capability allows the primary processor to enter low-power sleep modes between interrupt events, significantly reducing overall system power consumption while maintaining full processing capability when needed.
3Quantity of substance
If the sampling rate is increased to capture more biopotential data, then data completeness improves, but processor overload worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The supplementary processor performs preliminary actions by buffering incoming ADC data and performing initial processing before transferring data to the primary processor. This preliminary action at the coprocessor level reduces the data burden on the primary processor, allowing the system to maintain high sampling rates for complete data capture without overwhelming the main processing chain.
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to digitize biopotential signals received from biopotential-signal-sensing channels. The wearable device also includes a supplementary processor that samples the digital biopotential signals from the ADC. The supplementary processor sends the digital biopotential signals to a buffer until a determination is made that a particular number of the digital biopotential signals is stored in the buffer. Additionally, the supplementary processor transmits an indication to a primary processor that the particular number of the digital biopotential signals is stored in the buffer. In addition to the ADC and the supplementary processor, the wearable device includes the aforementioned primary processor. The primary processor is configured to operate in a low-power mode before receiving the indication and, after receiving the indication, process the particular number of digital biopotential signals from the buffer to detect in-air hand gestures performed by a user of the wearable device.