Feed-Forward Sensor Measurement With Low-Resolution ADCs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for achieving high resolution measurements using lower resolution devices either limit the measurement range or require expensive high-resolution analog-to-digital converters, increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a feed-forward signal derived from anticipated measurement values, scaled and compared to sensor signals, iteratively adjusted until below a threshold, allowing high resolution measurements with lower cost and resolution parts, utilizing digital-to-analog converters and processors or FPGAs to achieve relative accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If windowing down the measurement range is used to increase effective resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement process into multiple segments: first obtaining a coarse measurement to determine the signal range, then applying a feed-forward signal to center the signal, and finally performing a fine measurement with the ADC. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high resolution without sacrificing overall measurement range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by first obtaining a coarse measurement and calculating a feed-forward signal before the fine measurement. This feed-forward signal is used to center the sensor output signal within the ADC's input range, ensuring that the subsequent fine measurement can achieve maximum resolution without losing the overall measurement range.
2Measurement precision
If higher resolution ADCs are used to achieve increased resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feed-forward signal as an intermediary element. This feed-forward signal, derived from a coarse measurement, acts as a mediator that centers the sensor output within the ADC's input range. This allows a low-resolution ADC to effectively perform high-resolution measurements without requiring complex high-resolution ADC hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for complex high-resolution ADC hardware with a combination of low-resolution ADC and digital signal processing. Instead of relying on the ADC's inherent high resolution, the system uses computational methods (coarse measurement, feed-forward calculation, fine measurement) to achieve high resolution, substituting mechanical/hardware complexity with algorithmic complexity.
3Measurement precision
If higher resolution ADCs are used to achieve increased resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple low-resolution ADC measurements (coarse measurement and fine measurement) instead of a single expensive high-resolution ADC. By taking multiple measurements with cheaper components and combining them through computational methods, the system achieves the same effective resolution at lower component cost.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect of the invention, a method for making relatively high resolution measurements using relatively low resolution devices includes the steps of: deriving a first anticipated measurement value; using the first anticipated measurement value as an initial feed-forward signal; comparing the initial feed forward signal to a received signal from a sensor, thereby generating a compared signal; scaling the compared signal to full scale of an analog-to-digital converter, thereby generating a scaled signal; delivering the scaled signal in binary form for computation; and iteratively performing the comparing step until the compared signal is below a predetermined threshold value.