Position Encoder Pre-Trigger Sampling for Faster Timing Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing position encoder systems face challenges in reducing the overall timing between receiving a position trigger signal and responding with position data, particularly in applications requiring quick response times, as they do not effectively account for sampling delays and timing variations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a pre-trigger lead time mechanism, where a position encoder initiates its sampling process ahead of the expected position trigger signal, ensuring that the average effective sample time coincides with the actual timing of the signal within a tolerance window, thereby reducing response time and improving synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the encoder waits to receive the position trigger signal before sampling, then the sampling timing is simple and straightforward, but the overall response time becomes too long for certain applications
Solution Approach 1:
The encoder performs position sampling before receiving the position trigger signal by using a pre-trigger lead time mechanism. The sample period is initiated in advance based on predictable timing patterns, so that when the trigger signal arrives, the sampling is already complete or near-complete, significantly reducing the response time from trigger to position data output.
2Speed
If the encoder initiates sampling before the trigger signal, then the response time is reduced, but the synchronization between sample timing and trigger timing becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor and adjust the timing relationship between pre-initiated sampling and incoming trigger signals. By continuously tracking the actual trigger signal arrival times and comparing them with expected times, the system can compensate for timing variations and maintain accurate synchronization despite the advance sampling initiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling timing system is made dynamic and adaptive rather than fixed. The pre-trigger lead time and sample period parameters can be adjusted based on actual operating conditions and trigger signal patterns, allowing the system to optimize both speed and synchronization accuracy for different application requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A position encoder system (e.g., including a linear encoder) is configured to rapidly provide encoder position data in response to position trigger signals that are received from a host motion control system at predictable times (e.g., according to a preset frequency, etc.) A pre-trigger lead time is determined that is a fraction of a duration of a defined encoder position sample period. A current instance of the encoder position sample period is then initiated at the pre-trigger lead time before a next predictable time of the position trigger signal. A current position trigger signal is then received (e.g., near the middle of the current instance of the encoder position sample period) from the host motion control system. The average effective sample time of the current instance of the encoder position sample period coincides with the actual timing of the current position trigger signal within an allowed tolerance window.