Differential Pair Circuit Mitigates EMI in UV Sanitization Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

The operation of excimer UV lamps for sanitization generates significant electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can corrupt data transfer in nearby electronic components, posing a challenge for reliable communication in UV sanitization systems.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of differential pair communication circuitry, including fully differential operational amplifiers and twisted pair differential communication links, mitigates the EMI effects, allowing for reliable data transfer between sensors and control circuits even when operating an excimer UV lamp.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If excimer UV lamp operates at high voltage/high frequency to generate UV photons, then UV sanitization effectiveness is improved, but electromagnetic interference (EMI) increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUV sanitization effectivenessVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference (EMI)

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies differential pair communication to convert the harmful EMI into a manageable signal. The differential signaling technique allows the system to distinguish between the desired UV lamp operation signals and the EMI noise by using balanced differential voltage pairs, effectively turning the EMI problem into a solvable signal processing challenge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The differential pair circuit acts as an intermediary between the UV lamp and the control electronics. It mediates the EMI interference by providing a balanced signal path that rejects common-mode noise while preserving the useful signal information, allowing reliable communication despite the presence of strong EMI.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If excimer UV lamp is operated near electronic components for sanitization, then sanitization function is achieved, but data transfer reliability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesanitization functionVSAvoiddata transfer corruption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional single-ended signal transmission with differential pair communication. This substitution fundamentally changes how signals are transmitted across the noisy environment, using voltage differences between two wires instead of voltage relative to ground, making the communication immune to EMI-induced data corruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the signal transmission parameters from single-ended voltage to differential voltage pairs. By transmitting signals as balanced differential pairs with equal and opposite voltages, the system maintains signal integrity despite EMI, as the noise affects both lines equally and is rejected by the differential receiver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If conventional single-ended communication is used near excimer UV lamp, then circuit simplicity is maintained, but EMI susceptibility increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication circuit simplicityVSAvoidEMI susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces asymmetry in the sense that while the differential signals themselves are symmetric (equal and opposite), the implementation requires asymmetric changes to the communication interface. The differential pair circuitry provides a more robust solution despite the increased circuit complexity, as it fundamentally changes how EMI interacts with the signal transmission path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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

This solution effectively reduces the impact of EMI on data communication, ensuring reliable sensor data transfer and system operation while the excimer UV lamp is in use, thereby enhancing the performance and reliability of UV sanitization systems.

Implementation Method 1

The excimer UV lamp is configured to emit UV light into an environment... the excimer UV lamp to emit UV electromagnetic radiation by excimer emission

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExcimer emission:

Implementation Method 2

The implementation of differential pair communication circuitry, including fully differential operational amplifiers and twisted pair differential communication links, mitigates the EMI effects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interference mitigation:

Data Source

PatentUS20250161519A1Differential pair circuit for EMI noise mitigation with UV technology

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 PROSTAR TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

The disclosure relates to technology for a UV sanitization system that has an excimer ultraviolet (UV) lamp. The excimer UV lamp is configured to emit UV light into an environment in which the UV sanitization system is present. The UV sanitization system may have one or more sensors, which may be able to sense within the environment. The UV sanitization system uses differential pair communication to mitigate EMI that results from operation of the excimer UV lamp. The differential pair circuitry may include a differential communication link and fully differential operational amplifiers to process differential signals transferred over the differential communication link.