Dual-Resonator Oscillator for Fast Temperature Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature compensated oscillators require long measurement times for accurate temperature measurement, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies, especially when temperature changes rapidly.

Innovation Solution

The oscillator employs two resonators with different frequency-temperature characteristics, generating distinct oscillation signals that undergo time digital conversion processing to obtain temperature compensation data, allowing for rapid and accurate temperature measurement and compensation of the clock signal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If frequency difference measurement between two oscillation signals is used for temperature compensation, then temperature compensation capability is achieved, but measurement time becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional counter-based frequency difference measurement method with a time digital conversion method. Instead of counting oscillation cycles to determine frequency difference, the system uses time interval measurements between corresponding edges of two oscillation signals, converting a time-consuming counting process into a faster time measurement process that achieves the same temperature detection goal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from measuring frequency difference in the frequency domain to measuring time intervals in the time domain. By measuring the time difference between corresponding edges of two oscillation signals with different temperature coefficients, the system obtains temperature information through time domain analysis rather than frequency domain comparison, significantly reducing measurement time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If conventional temperature compensation methods are used, then temperature compensation is achieved, but the system cannot respond quickly to rapid temperature changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature compensation accuracyVSAvoidresponse speed to temperature changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the slow counter-based frequency measurement system with a fast time digital conversion system. The time measurement circuit directly measures time intervals between signal edges, providing rapid temperature detection capability that can keep up with fast temperature changes, while maintaining accurate temperature compensation through the same fundamental principle of comparing oscillation characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables high-accuracy temperature measurement and compensation in a shorter time frame compared to traditional methods, improving the precision and responsiveness of temperature compensation.

Implementation Method 1

a first oscillation circuit generating a first oscillation signal by oscillating the first resonator; a second oscillation circuit generating a second oscillation signal that has frequency-temperature characteristics different from frequency-temperature characteristics of the first oscillation signal by oscillating the second resonator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS11070212B2Oscillator, electronic apparatus and vehicle

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

Provided is an oscillator including: a first resonator; a second resonator; a first oscillation circuit generating a first oscillation signal by oscillating the first resonator; a second oscillation circuit generating a second oscillation signal that has frequency-temperature characteristics different from frequency-temperature characteristics of the first oscillation signal by oscillating the second resonator; a clock signal generation circuit generating a clock signal with a frequency that is temperature compensated by temperature compensation data; and a processing circuit performing time digital conversion processing based on the first oscillation signal and the second oscillation signal, and obtaining the temperature compensation data based on measurement data of the time digital conversion processing.