Electrochemical Measurement Circuitry for Single-Supply Biasing

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrochemical sensors require a minimum supply voltage of 2V for biasing, which is not sufficient for battery-powered applications, leading to increased power consumption and complexity due to the use of voltage doublers and off-chip components.

Innovation Solution

A novel circuitry that adjusts the voltage bias between the working and counter electrodes by varying both the working and counter bias voltages within a single supply voltage range, eliminating the need for voltage doublers and reducing power consumption and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If voltage doublers and off-chip components are used to support biasing, then the bias voltage range is sufficient, but the device complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebias voltage rangeVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the voltage generation and biasing functions into a single integrated circuit that operates within one supply voltage range. The circuit combines the working electrode biasing and counter electrode biasing in one unified circuit architecture, eliminating the need for separate voltage doublers and off-chip components while maintaining sufficient bias voltage range for electrochemical measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated circuit serves multiple functions: it provides both working electrode biasing and counter electrode biasing, generates appropriate voltage swings for electrochemical reactions, and operates within a single supply voltage range. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated voltage doubler circuits and reduces overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If voltage doublers are used to achieve sufficient bias voltage, then the bias voltage range is adequate, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebias voltage rangeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the voltage generation and biasing functions into a single integrated circuit that operates within one supply voltage range. The circuit combines the working electrode biasing and counter electrode biasing in one unified circuit architecture, eliminating the need for separate voltage doublers and off-chip components while maintaining sufficient bias voltage range for electrochemical measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the limitation of single supply voltage into an advantage by designing a circuit that efficiently utilizes the full supply voltage range for biasing. Instead of requiring voltage doublers that consume additional power, the circuit strategically applies voltage swings within the single supply range to achieve the necessary electrochemical biasing, thereby reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If voltage doublers and off-chip components are used, then the bias voltage range is sufficient, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebias voltage rangeVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the voltage generation and biasing functions into a single integrated circuit that operates within one supply voltage range. The circuit combines the working electrode biasing and counter electrode biasing in one unified circuit architecture, eliminating the need for separate voltage doublers and off-chip components while maintaining sufficient bias voltage range for electrochemical measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12405243B2Circuitry for analyte measurement

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 CIRRUS LOGIC INC

AI summary

Circuitry for measuring a characteristic of an electrochemical cell, the electrochemical cell comprising at least one working electrode and a counter electrode, the circuitry comprising: driver circuitry configured to apply a working bias voltage to the at least one working electrode and a counter bias voltage at the counter electrode to produce a first voltage bias between the at least one working electrode and the counter electrode; control circuitry configured to adjust the first voltage bias over a first bias range by varying the working bias voltage and the counter bias voltage.