Configurable Sensor Arrays with Dynamic Impedance Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of custom arrays with custom readout electronics for each sensor or group of sensors is expensive and becomes increasingly complex and costly as the number of sensors increases, limiting the scalability and versatility of sensor arrays in various applications.
Innovation Solution
A configurable sensor array system is developed, where multiple sensors with varying output impedances are integrated into a single matrix array on a backplane, allowing dynamic modification of sensor configurations to match different readout electronics, enabling the detection and positioning of multiple agents across a range of applications with reduced complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If custom readout electronics are produced for each sensor or group of sensors, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single readout electronics unit is designed to interface with multiple sensor types having different output impedances. The system achieves universality by incorporating switching circuitry that can dynamically configure the electrical connection topology, allowing one readout device to replace multiple custom-designed readout devices while maintaining measurement precision across diverse sensor types.
Solution Approach 2:
The readout electronics incorporates dynamic switching capabilities that allow the electrical configuration to be changed based on the specific sensor being measured. The switching circuitry can reconfigure connection paths in real-time to match the output impedance characteristics of different sensors, enabling a single static hardware design to perform multiple measurement functions that would otherwise require custom electronics for each sensor type.
2Measurement precision
If custom readout electronics are produced for each sensor or group of sensors, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention reduces manufacturing cost by designing a universal readout electronics platform that can serve multiple sensor types. Instead of producing separate custom electronics for each sensor or sensor group, a single standardized readout device with reconfigurable switching circuitry replaces multiple specialized devices, thereby reducing per-unit manufacturing costs while preserving measurement precision through software-controlled configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves precise measurements across different sensor types by dynamically changing electrical parameters through software control of switching circuitry. Rather than manufacturing different hardware for each sensor type, the invention modifies operational parameters (connection topology, impedance matching) through electronic switching, thereby maintaining measurement precision while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of sensors in an array increases, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple individual sensor interfaces into a single unified readout electronics unit. By combining the functionality of what would otherwise be separate readout devices for each sensor into one integrated system with switching circuitry, the complexity of interfacing with large sensor arrays is dramatically reduced. The switching network allows a single readout device to sequentially or simultaneously interface with multiple sensors, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to detect multiple agents.
4Quantity of substance
If the number of sensors in an array increases, then detection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention reduces production cost by merging multiple sensor-specific readout circuits into a single shared readout electronics unit with switching capability. This consolidation means that as the number of sensors in an array increases, the incremental cost of adding sensors decreases since the expensive readout electronics portion of the system is shared across all sensors rather than being replicated for each one, thereby improving ease of manufacture for large-scale sensor arrays.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for configurable sensor arrays are provided. An example of a configurable sensor array includes a plurality of sensors in a matrix array formed on a single backplane and a plurality of elements within one of the plurality of sensors, where the plurality of elements provides alternative electrical paths enabling the one of the plurality of sensors to have a range of output impedances.