Dual ADC Signal Recording Without Transient Stitching Artifacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dual ADC structures introduce artifacts in stitched data during transient signal changes, making it difficult for users to accept the merged signals, especially when input signals rapidly transition from small to large or vice versa.
Innovation Solution
A dual ADC architecture that selects between small and large gain amplification channels based on total harmonic distortion (THD) clipping detection, ensuring high signal-to-noise ratio by using cross-channel calibration and separate data storage for each channel, allowing post-processing selection of the best channel for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dual ADC structures are used to maintain high dynamic range, then signal quality is improved, but artifacts are introduced during transient signal changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic channel selection based on real-time signal level detection. The system automatically switches between high-gain and low-gain ADC channels depending on the detected signal amplitude, ensuring optimal signal quality without introducing artifacts from improper channel stitching. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the signal level is continuously monitored and used to control channel selection. The detected signal amplitude provides feedback that determines which ADC channel should be active, preventing artifacts during transient changes by ensuring the correct channel is selected based on real-time conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If channel stitching is used to merge data from multiple ADC channels, then dynamic range is extended, but user acceptance decreases due to artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects the appropriate ADC channel based on real-time signal level detection, eliminating the need for manual channel stitching. This dynamic approach maintains extended dynamic range capability while improving user acceptance by automatically providing artifact-free data without requiring user intervention or post-processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic channel selection based on detected signal levels, making the data acquisition process self-service. The instrument autonomously determines which channel to use without requiring user knowledge or manual configuration, thereby improving ease of operation and user acceptance while maintaining high dynamic range performance.
3Measurement precision
If manual channel selection is required for transient signals, then data accuracy is maintained, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically selects the appropriate channel for transient signals by continuously monitoring signal levels and switching between high-gain and low-gain ADC channels as needed. This self-service mechanism maintains data accuracy during transient changes while eliminating the need for manual intervention, thereby reducing operation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from real-time signal level detection to automatically control channel selection during transient signals. The detected signal amplitude provides continuous feedback that drives automatic channel switching, ensuring data accuracy is maintained without requiring complex manual operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement system has a data acquisition architecture in one or more channels with storage in multiple sensor ranges. At least one sensor channel provides an analog measurement input signal, which is split into first and second amplifier-ADC paths, where a first path has relatively higher gain and smaller range than a second path. The digitized data is subject to cross-channel calibration that can serve as a trigger for the transfer of the two data streams into nonvolatile memory. The incoming data are temporarily stored for a specified period in a circular buffer, so that the trigger can also facilitate transfer of pre-trigger data from the buffer into the memory. A processor determines the presence or absence of any clipping of the higher-gain/smaller-range data and selects analysis of that smaller range data if no clipping is detected, but of the larger range data if clipping is detected.