Integrated Drive Sense Circuit for Signal Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data communication systems face challenges in efficiently processing and interpreting signals from sensors and actuators due to the complexity of managing various electrical characteristics and conditions, leading to inefficiencies in data collection and communication.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a drive sense circuit that provides a regulated source signal to sensors and actuators, enabling the detection of changes in electrical characteristics and conversion of these changes into representative signals for processing, while also modulating actuation signals for desired physical outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate drive and sense circuits are used for sensors and actuators, then signal accuracy is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate drive and sense circuits into a single integrated drive sense circuit that can perform both driving and sensing functions through time-division multiplexing. The circuit includes a drive output stage, a sense input stage, and a controller that coordinates their operation to allow one circuit to serve dual purposes, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining signal accuracy through sequential operation modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated drive sense circuit operates by periodically switching between drive mode and sense mode. The controller enables the drive output stage to operate during specific time intervals and the sense input stage during other intervals, allowing the same physical circuit to perform different functions at different times. This periodic switching maintains measurement precision while reducing hardware complexity.
2Measurement precision
If separate drive and sense lines are used, then signal integrity is improved, but power consumption and line interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate drive and sense lines into a single shared communication line that carries both drive signals and sense signals at different time intervals. The controller manages the timing to ensure that drive signals are transmitted during drive intervals and sense signals are received during sense intervals, eliminating the need for separate physical lines and reducing power consumption associated with maintaining multiple active lines simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared line operates in periodic cycles alternating between drive signal transmission and sense signal reception. During drive intervals, the line carries actuation commands to actuators; during sense intervals, the line carries sensor data back to the controller. This time-division approach maintains signal integrity by preventing simultaneous conflicting operations while reducing power consumption compared to continuously active separate lines.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate circuits are used for different sensing functions, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated drive sense circuit is designed as a universal platform that can handle multiple sensing functions and actuator types through software configuration rather than hardware differentiation. The controller includes programmable logic that can be configured to support temperature sensing, pressure sensing, motor control, and other functions using the same physical circuit infrastructure, thereby providing functional versatility without increasing hardware complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes generating, by a drive sense circuit, an analog drive sense signal based on an analog reference signal, wherein the analog reference signal has a magnitude that is substantially less than a supply rail power of the drive sense circuit. The method further includes driving, by the drive sense circuit, a load with the analog drive sense signal.