Drive-Sense Circuit Feedback for Variable Load Characteristics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor and actuator systems face challenges in efficiently managing the effects of varying electrical characteristics on load conditions, leading to suboptimal performance and interference, particularly in data communication systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a drive-sense circuit module that includes a regulated source circuit and a loop correction circuit to sense and regulate electrical characteristics, using a reference signal to adjust the drive signal based on load conditions, thereby optimizing power and signal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a drive-sense circuit operates without regulation and correction mechanisms, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and reliability of sensor signals deteriorate due to varying electrical characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through a loop correction circuit that continuously monitors the drive signal and sensor signal, compares them against reference signals, and generates correction signals to compensate for variations in electrical characteristics such as impedance and capacitance. This feedback loop maintains measurement precision despite changes in load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting drive signal characteristics (amplitude, frequency, phase) based on detected load conditions. The regulated source circuit modifies electrical parameters in real-time to optimize sensor signal quality while compensating for varying electrical characteristics of the sensor and surrounding circuitry.
2Reliability
If a drive-sense circuit uses regulated source and loop correction circuits to manage electrical characteristics, then the reliability and measurement precision improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated circuits: the regulated source circuit integrates voltage regulation, current regulation, and drive signal generation; the loop correction circuit integrates signal monitoring, comparison, and correction. This merging reduces the number of discrete components while maintaining reliability and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive-sense circuit is designed with multi-functional blocks that can operate in different modes. The regulated source circuit can provide both voltage and current regulation depending on sensor requirements. The loop correction circuit handles multiple types of electrical characteristic variations (impedance, capacitance, inductance) using a unified correction mechanism, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive-sense circuit module includes at least one regulated source circuit coupled to a load, and to a loop correction circuit. The regulated source circuit generates a drive signal, which has a regulated characteristic and a controlled characteristic. At least one reference circuit applies a reference signal to the loop correction circuit that establishes a reference value of the controlled characteristic. The loop correction circuit senses an effect of one or more load characteristics on a sensed value of the controlled characteristic of the drive signal and generates a comparison signal based on the sensed value and the reference value of the controlled characteristic. A regulation signal is generated based on the comparison signal and used to regulate the regulated characteristic of the drive signal. A control module controls the regulated source circuit and the loop correction circuit to iterate through at least a first combination and a second combination of regulated characteristics and controlled characteristics.