Drive-Sense Circuit Architecture for Single-Line Sensor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data communication systems face challenges in efficiently processing and interpreting signals from a variety of sensors across different applications, including industrial, healthcare, and transportation sectors, due to the complexity of sensor types and the need for simultaneous driving and sensing functions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of drive-sense circuits that can simultaneously drive and sense signals via a single line, enabling efficient communication and processing of data from sensors and actuators, and integrate with computing devices to provide real-time feedback and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate drive and sense lines are used for sensors, then signal integrity is improved, but device complexity and wiring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines drive and sense functions into a single bidirectional communication line, allowing the same physical connection to carry both control signals to the sensor and sensed data back to the controller, thereby reducing wiring complexity while maintaining signal integrity through protocol-level separation
Solution Approach 2:
The communication line is designed to serve multiple functions: driving the sensor, sensing the physical quantity, and transmitting data back to the controller, all through a single interface that dynamically switches between these modes based on operational requirements
2Device complexity
If multiple sensors are connected to reduce system complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but line interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs time-division multiplexing where each sensor is sequentially activated in periodic time slots, with the controller driving one sensor while others remain inactive, then switching to sense mode to collect data from the active sensor, thereby eliminating simultaneous signal conflicts and reducing line interference
Solution Approach 2:
The bidirectional communication protocol ensures continuous efficient utilization of the single communication line by alternating between drive and sense modes without idle periods, allowing multiple sensors to be serviced sequentially through the same line without waste, reducing overall system complexity
3Reliability
If traditional sensor circuits with multiple connections are used, then power supply and signal reception are reliable, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power supply connection and data communication connection into a single bidirectional line, where the same physical connection alternates between providing power/drive signals and receiving sensed data, thereby reducing the number of permanent connections while maintaining reliable power delivery through controlled activation periods
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is activated in periodic cycles where power and drive signals are supplied during drive mode, followed by data collection during sense mode, allowing the sensor to remain in a low-power inactive state between activations, thereby reducing average power consumption while maintaining reliable operation during active periods
Data Source
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.