Dual-Channel Measurement Circuit for Independent ADC Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring devices with multiple channels lack reliable methods to verify the functionality of each channel, as known plausibility checks are not independent and may not accurately reflect the accuracy of analog to digital conversions due to component aging and environmental influences.

Innovation Solution

A measuring device with at least two channels, where one channel acts as a reference generator to provide a reference voltage that can be switched with the measuring voltage, allowing for independent verification of the other channel's functionality through digital value comparison, ensuring reliable channel checking without additional components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a plausibility check is performed by feeding back a digital voltage value through a D/A converter to the input of the A/D converter, then the measuring channel can be checked for functionality, but the check is not independent and does not guarantee reliable verification due to the feedback signal being based on the same digital voltage value

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of measuring channel verificationVSAvoidaccuracy of conversion verification
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a second measuring channel as an intermediary element to verify the first measuring channel. This second channel independently converts the same analog measuring voltage to a digital value, providing an external reference that is not dependent on the first channel's conversion process. This mediator approach enables independent verification and resolves the lack of reliability in self-based plausibility checks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the verification function into separate, independent measuring channels. Instead of a single channel performing self-verification, the system segments the measurement task across multiple channels, where each channel can independently verify the others. This segmentation allows for independent verification paths and eliminates the circular dependency problem in self-checking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If additional components are added to enable independent verification of measuring channels, then verification reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependence of verificationVSAvoidnumber of additional components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing measuring channels multi-functional by enabling them to serve both as primary measurement channels and as verification channels for other channels. The second measuring channel can verify the first, and vice versa, allowing each channel to perform dual functions. This universality approach provides independent verification without requiring dedicated verification components, thus avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring channels perform verification of each other using their own inherent conversion capabilities. Each channel serves itself and others by providing independent conversion results that can be compared. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external verification equipment, maintaining simplicity while achieving reliable independent verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3340471B1Measuring device with a secure measuring channel
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3340471B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3340471B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a measuring device (1) with at least two measuring channels (2a, 2b), each measuring channel (2a, 2b) comprising an A/D converter (4a, 4b) for converting an analog voltage into a digital voltage value, and a Logic unit (5a, 5b) connected to the A/D converter (4a, 4b) to receive the digital voltage value, with at least one measurement channel (2a, 2b) as a safe measurement channel (2a, 2b) with a multiplexer (3a, 3b), with the multiplexer (3a, 3b) being able to switch the analog voltage between a measurement voltage (UMess1, UMess2) and a reference voltage (URef1, URef2), and the logic unit (5a, 5b) of at least one other Measuring channel (2a, 2b) is designed as a reference generator to provide the reference voltage (URef1, URef2) and to switch the multiplexer (3a, 3b) between the measuring voltage (UMess1, UMess2) and the reference voltage (URef1, URef2).