Drive-Sense Circuit Integration for Single-Line Sensor Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data communication systems face challenges in efficiently interfacing sensors and actuators with computing devices, particularly in applications requiring simultaneous driving and sensing operations, leading to higher power consumption and interference issues.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of drive-sense circuits that enable simultaneous driving and sensing of signals via a single line, reducing power requirements and line-to-line interference by integrating power and signal management within a unified circuit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate circuits are used for driving and sensing operations, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and power consumption rises

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate drive circuits and sense circuits into a single integrated drive-sense circuit that can simultaneously perform both driving and sensing operations through a unified architecture, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability through internal circuit isolation techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If separate circuits are used for driving and sensing operations, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated drive-sense circuit shares common components such as power supply connections, reference voltage sources, and signal processing pathways between driving and sensing functions, eliminating redundant power consumption while maintaining signal integrity through dedicated internal routing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive-sense circuit is designed as a multi-functional unit that can operate in different modes (driving only, sensing only, or simultaneous drive-sense) depending on system requirements, allowing optimal power utilization across various operational scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If simultaneous driving and sensing operations are implemented, then productivity is improved, but interference issues worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit employs intermediate isolation elements such as buffer stages, differential signaling pathways, and shielding structures between the driving and sensing portions, acting as mediators that allow simultaneous operations while preventing harmful electromagnetic interference and signal coupling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250110481A1Analog world interfacing for automated systems

Publication Date: 2025.04.03 SIGMASENSE LLC

AI summary

An automated system includes transducers, at least one computing device, and at least one automated apparatus. The transducer(s) is/are driven and sensed using drive-sense circuit(s). A drives and senses drive and sense a transducer via a single line, generates a digital signal representative of a sensed analog feature to which the transducer is exposed, and transmits the digital signal to the computing device. The computing device receives digital signals from at least some of drive-sense circuits and process them in accordance with the automation process to produce an automated process command. The automated apparatus executes a portion of an automated process based on the automated process command.