Biosignal Amplifier Circuit With Mode Switching for Low-Noise Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current biosignal amplification technologies face challenges in efficiently amplifying various biosignals like ECG, EMG, and brainwaves while managing power consumption, bandwidth, and reducing noise, particularly in achieving optimal performance across different operating modes.

Innovation Solution

A biosignal amplifying circuit with a selector for bias voltage selection and switchable transistors that reconfigure based on operating modes, incorporating static and dynamic switching, chopper stabilization, and large signal excitation methods to optimize power consumption and noise reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a biosignal amplifying circuit operates in high-gain mode to improve signal quality, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit dynamically reconfigures transistor widths to adapt gain and power consumption to signal amplitude. Small signals utilize wider transistors for high gain with moderate power, while large signals trigger reconfiguration to narrower transistors for lower power consumption, achieving dynamic optimization of both signal quality and power usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameter of transistor width to control the operating point. By varying transistor width, the circuit adjusts its transconductance and power consumption characteristics, enabling operation at optimal points for different signal conditions without sacrificing measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the circuit operates in low power mode to reduce energy consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but signal quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsignal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit employs dynamic reconfiguration based on signal detection. When signals are detected to be large in amplitude, the circuit switches to a low-power configuration with narrower transistors. This dynamic adaptation ensures that power consumption is reduced only when signal quality requirements are still met, preventing deterioration of signal quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit automatically detects signal amplitude and self-adjusts its operating parameters without external intervention. The self-service mechanism monitors input signal characteristics and autonomously reconfigures transistor widths to maintain optimal signal quality while minimizing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If fixed transistor dimensions are used to simplify circuit design, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different operating modes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit designVSAvoidoperating mode flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit incorporates dynamic reconfiguration capability through switchable transistor connections. Multiple transistor elements can be connected in parallel or series based on operating mode requirements, enabling the same physical circuit to provide different effective transistor widths and thus adapt to various operating modes without requiring multiple fixed designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a universal circuit structure that can serve multiple operating modes through reconfiguration. The same transistor array can be arranged to provide high-gain mode, low-power mode, or intermediate modes by changing connection topology, making the circuit universally applicable across different biosignal measurement requirements without design modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3263025B1Biosignal amplifying circuit
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3263025B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3263025B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3263025B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A biosignal apparatus is described including an amplifier and a sampler. The amplifier is configured to alternate between an operating state and a low power state based on a periodically changing control signal. The sampler is configured to sample a signal output from the amplifier in response to the amplifier being in the operating state and maintain the sampled signal in response to the amplifier being in the low power state. FIG. 1.