Diagnostic Waveform Generator for Electrochemical Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Testing electrochemical sensors often requires external, specialized equipment, which can be cumbersome and resource-intensive, making it difficult to assess sensor performance without such equipment.
Innovation Solution
A control circuit for electrochemical sensors that generates a diagnostic waveform with a peak-to-peak voltage greater than the supply voltage, allowing for self-diagnostic capabilities without the need for specialized testing equipment, using a sensor controller with signal generators and amplifiers to apply and analyze the waveform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external specialized equipment is used to generate test signals for sensor testing, then measurement precision and diagnostic capability are improved, but device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the test signal generation functionality with the sensor controller by integrating a waveform generator into the control circuit. This merging eliminates the need for separate external testing equipment, allowing the sensor system to perform self-diagnosis while maintaining diagnostic precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor controller is designed to perform multiple functions: normal sensor operation/control and self-diagnostic testing. The waveform generator within the controller can generate various test waveforms (square, triangular, sine waves) to test different sensor characteristics, making the controller a universal device that handles both operational control and diagnostic functions.
2Measurement precision
If external specialized equipment is used for sensor testing, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome setup
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system performs self-diagnosis by generating its own test waveforms through the integrated waveform generator. The controller applies test signals to the sensor and analyzes the responses without requiring external equipment or complex setup procedures, making the testing process simple and autonomous.
3Measurement precision
If the peak-to-peak voltage of the diagnostic waveform is greater than the supply voltage, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves high peak-to-peak voltage output without proportionally increasing supply voltage by using a charge pump circuit that operates in a different dimensional space of voltage generation. The charge pump accumulates charge over multiple cycles and releases it in high-voltage pulses, decoupling the output voltage amplitude from the supply voltage level and reducing continuous power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for generating a diagnostic waveform for a sensor are provided. In an example, a control circuit for an electrochemical sensor can include power supply inputs configured to receive a supply voltage, a first signal generator configured to receive control information and to generate a first signal on a first output using the supply voltage and the control information, a second signal generator configured to receive the control information and to provide a second signal on a second output, using the supply voltage and the control information. An output voltage between the first output and the second output, in a diagnostic mode of operation of the control circuit, can include a periodic signal having a peak-to-peak voltage greater than the supply voltage.