Biosignal Frequency Conversion for Narrow-Band Amplifier Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biosignal processing technologies face challenges in amplifying signals with frequency components outside the amplifiable bandwidth of instrumentation amplifiers, leading to inefficiencies and increased power consumption due to the need for wider frequency bandwidths.

Innovation Solution

The method involves modulating biosignals to bring their frequency components within the amplifiable range using XNOR logic operations and phase-shifting, allowing for amplification with a narrower frequency bandwidth, thereby reducing power usage and design area requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the amplifier frequency bandwidth is widened to amplify biosignals with frequency components outside the amplifiable range, then the signal amplification capability is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal amplification capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The signal processing is divided into two stages: first, frequency conversion transforms the biosignal frequency components into a range suitable for the amplifier; second, the amplifier amplifies the converted signal. This segmentation allows the amplifier to operate within its optimal bandwidth while still processing signals that originally had frequency components outside its amplifiable range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A frequency conversion unit acts as an intermediary between the biosignal source and the amplifier. This intermediary component converts the frequency of the input signal to match the amplifier's amplifiable bandwidth, enabling the amplifier to efficiently amplify signals without requiring an extended bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the amplifier frequency bandwidth is widened to accommodate various biosignal frequencies, then the signal processing versatility is improved, but the design area increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal processing versatilityVSAvoiddesign area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into a frequency conversion unit and an amplification unit with narrow bandwidth. By dividing the signal processing function, the amplification unit can be designed with a compact, narrow bandwidth while the frequency conversion unit handles the frequency adaptation, reducing the overall design area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frequency conversion unit serves as an intermediary that adapts the biosignal frequency to match the narrow bandwidth amplifier. This intermediary approach allows the use of a compact amplifier design without sacrificing the ability to process various biosignal frequencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the amplifier frequency bandwidth is increased to amplify high-frequency biosignals, then the frequency range coverage is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency range coverageVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency parameter of the biosignal is changed through frequency conversion before amplification. By transforming the high-frequency signal into a lower frequency within the amplifier's narrow bandwidth, the system achieves wide frequency range coverage while the amplifier consumes power only for its narrow operational band.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The frequency handling function is segmented from the amplification function. The frequency conversion unit handles the frequency transformation, while the amplifier focuses solely on amplifying signals within its narrow bandwidth, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining wide frequency range coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2979627B1Apparatus and method for processing signal
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2979627B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2979627B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP2979627B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

An apparatus of processing a signal or a biosignal, and a method of processing a signal or a biosignal are provided. The method of processing signal involves receiving a first reference signal having a frequency component of a measurement signal to be applied to a subject, receiving a second reference signal having a frequency component within a frequency bandwidth of an amplifier, and converting a first signal measured from the subject to a second signal within the frequency bandwidth of the amplifier, based on the first reference signal and the second reference signal.