Configurable Photodetector Array Patterning for Optical Encoders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturers of optical encoders face high costs and complex supply chains due to the need for multiple integrated circuit (IC) designs for different encoder configurations, such as varying code wheel radii and pulses-per-revolution, which limits the use of a single IC design across multiple encoder modules without significant degradation of output signal quality.
Innovation Solution
A configurable photodetector array that allows each pixel to be dynamically assigned to one of several quadrature assignments, enabling a single IC design to be used for various encoder configurations by reading from a pixel partition map stored in memory, allowing on-the-fly configuration and adjustment to match different code wheel configurations, thereby reducing the need for multiple IC designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a different IC design is used for each different encoder configuration, then the output signal quality is optimized for each specific configuration, but the device complexity and supply chain complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal IC design that can serve multiple encoder configurations through configurable photodetector array patterning. The system uses a single IC with programmable control logic that can be configured via I2C interface to work with different code wheel radii, pulses-per-revolution, and slit shapes, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated IC designs while maintaining optimized signal quality for each configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic configurability to the IC design through programmable control logic and I2C interface. The photodetector array patterning can be dynamically adjusted based on the specific encoder configuration requirements, allowing the same IC to adapt its behavior and parameters to match different code wheel or code strip configurations, thereby resolving the contradiction between optimization for specific configurations and overall design complexity
2Measurement precision
If multiple IC designs are maintained for different encoder configurations, then each IC is optimized for its specific application, but the manufacturing cost and supply chain complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal IC platform that can be manufactured in high volume for multiple encoder configurations. By using a single IC design with configurable photodetector array patterning controlled through I2C interface, manufacturers can produce one type of IC for all encoder configurations rather than maintaining separate production lines for each configuration, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and supply chain complexity while preserving optimized signal quality through software-based configuration
3Device complexity
If a single IC design is used for multiple encoder configurations, then the device complexity and supply chain are simplified, but the output signal quality may degrade for specific configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic configurability through programmable control logic that can be programmed via I2C interface to optimize the photodetector array patterning for each specific encoder configuration. This allows the single IC design to adapt its parameters and behavior in real-time to match the specific requirements of different code wheel or code strip configurations, thereby maintaining optimized output signal quality while using a unified hardware platform
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the photodetector array patterning to maintain signal quality across different configurations. By allowing the IC to modify its operational parameters through I2C programming, the system can adjust the photodetector array configuration to match specific encoder requirements, ensuring optimized signal quality is achieved through parameter optimization rather than hardware specialization
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 use of a single IC design for multiple encoder configurations without significant degradation of output signal quality, reducing costs and simplifying the supply chain by allowing a single IC to be used across various configurations, leading to lower costs and reduced material handling.
Implementation Method 1
an optical encoder with a configurable photodetector array and methods for detecting and converting position information
Data Source
AI summary
An encoder system includes a configurable detector array, wherein the configurable detector array includes a plurality of detectors. In an embodiment, the encoder system includes an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The encoder system may also include a memory operable to store a partition map that defines a state for each of the plurality of detectors. In an embodiment, the memory includes a non-volatile memory. The encoder system may also include a controller, such as a microcontroller, operable to read from the memory the partition map and to configure the configurable detector array according to the configuration map. The encoder system may also include an emitter operable to generate a flux modulated by a motion object, wherein the configurable detector array is operable to receive the flux and generate respective current outputs for each of the detectors in response to the flux.