Digital Signal Quantization Error Reduction via Sensor Merging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital signal processing methods for sensors introduce quantization errors during digitization, particularly in measuring kinematic properties of objects, which are not effectively reduced without increasing processing resources and complexity.

Innovation Solution

Combining digital signals from multiple sensors to reduce quantization error rates, either by switching between or averaging the signals from sensors measuring different kinematic properties, such as velocity and position, to minimize error introduction during digitization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the bit resolution is increased to reduce quantization error, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantization error rateVSAvoidelectronics complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple digital signals from sensors measuring different kinematic properties (position, velocity, acceleration) through addition or averaging. This merging of signals reduces the quantization error rate without requiring higher bit resolution, thereby avoiding increased device complexity and cost while improving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If companding algorithms are implemented to reduce quantization error, then measurement precision is improved, but processing resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantization error rateVSAvoidprocessing resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple digital signals through simple addition or averaging operations, which require minimal processing resources compared to companding algorithms. This approach reduces quantization error rate while consuming fewer processing resources, maintaining productivity while improving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are combined to reduce quantization error, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantization error rateVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple digital signals through simple addition or averaging operations, which are computationally straightforward and do not significantly increase signal processing complexity. This approach reduces quantization error rate while maintaining manageable device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter being measured by combining signals from sensors measuring different kinematic properties (position, velocity, acceleration). This parameter transformation allows reduction of quantization error rate without requiring complex processing of each individual signal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3218677B1A method and an apparatus for reducing a quantization error rate
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 MICRO MOTION INC
  • EP3218677B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3218677B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3218677B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for reducing an error rate is provided. The method includes obtaining a first analog signal representing a first kinematic property of a first position with a sensor, obtaining a second analog signal representing a second kinematic property of the first position, digitizing the first analog signal into a first digital signal, and digitizing the second analog signal into a second digital signal. The method also includes combining the first digital signal and the second digital signal into a combined signal such that an error rate of the combined signal is less than an error rate of one of the first digital signal and the second digital signal.