Digital Control Circuit Frequency Verification Using Clock Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital control circuitry in systems like electrosurgical and inverter circuits face issues with maintaining accurate operating frequency, leading to inefficiencies, potential circuit failures, and EMC violations due to oscillator malfunctions, necessitating a method to verify its own frequency without complex external circuitry.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a single external device and software/firmware to verify the operating frequency of digital control circuitry by generating and counting clock signals from external oscillators, determining the operational frequency through calculations based on the number of transitions and predetermined oscillator frequency, suitable for microcontrollers, DSPs, and FPGAs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex external circuitry is used to verify operating frequency, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The digital control circuitry performs frequency verification autonomously by utilizing its own internal resources (counter, timer, clock inputs) without requiring external verification equipment. The system counts transitions of a first clock signal over a predetermined number of control clock cycles and calculates the operating frequency internally, eliminating the need for complex external measurement circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a software-based verification mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the oscillator and the control circuitry. By implementing a timed sequence that counts transitions and calculates frequency through software algorithms, the system achieves precise frequency verification without adding physical external circuitry.
2Reliability
If frequency verification is performed continuously, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency verification is performed periodically rather than continuously. The system executes verification at specific intervals (e.g., upon startup, after oscillator malfunction detection, or at scheduled intervals) by initiating a timed sequence that counts transitions over a predetermined number of clock cycles. This periodic approach maintains reliability while minimizing energy consumption compared to continuous verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs frequency verification preliminarily before critical operations begin. By verifying the operating frequency at startup or before initiating power output, the system ensures correctness in advance, preventing potential failures without requiring continuous verification during normal operation.
3Device complexity
If the verification process is simplified, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical external measurement circuitry with a software-based verification mechanism. The digital control circuitry uses its own internal counter and timer resources, along with software algorithms, to perform frequency verification. This substitution achieves precise measurement without requiring additional hardware, as the verification is implemented through programmed logic that counts transitions and calculates frequency mathematically.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are presented for verifying the operating frequency of digital control circuitry. The system and method according to the present disclosure provide for a digitally controlled system, such as an electrosurgical system, to confirm or verify its operating frequency using a single external device, and software and/or firmware.