Digital Filter Coefficient Dropping for Low-Power Flowmeter Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

High power consumption in processing systems for vibratory flowmeters due to high sampling rates, which are set to accommodate both low and high frequency flowmeters, leading to inefficient energy use.

Innovation Solution

A method for adaptively optimizing processor operation by comparing processing system measurements to a predetermined threshold and dropping unnecessary digital filter coefficients, reducing the number of filter coefficients used, thereby reducing processing time and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a high sampling rate is used to accommodate various flowmeter frequencies, then the processing system can handle both low and high frequency flowmeters, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to handle various flowmeter frequenciesVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the sampling rate based on the detected flowmeter frequency. The processor monitors the operating frequency and adaptively changes the sampling rate to match the actual needs, using a higher rate only when high frequency operation is detected and a lower rate when operating at low frequencies, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the sampling rate parameter dynamically based on the flowmeter's operating frequency. By adjusting this key parameter according to actual conditions rather than maintaining a fixed high rate, the system achieves energy efficiency without sacrificing the ability to handle various frequency ranges

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If a high processing clock rate is used to process 2 kHz samples, then the processing system can generate flow characteristics accurately, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow characteristics measurement accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the processing clock rate based on the sampling rate requirements. When the sampling rate is reduced for low frequency flowmeters, the processing clock rate is相应ly lowered, maintaining sufficient processing capability for accurate flow characteristic generation while reducing power consumption from unnecessary high-speed operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed high sampling rate of 2 kHz is used, then the processing system can accommodate all flowmeter models, but unnecessary processing operations increase power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewide applicability across flowmeter modelsVSAvoidenergy wasted on unnecessary processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the fixed sampling rate with a dynamic sampling rate that adapts to the actual flowmeter operating frequency. The system detects the frequency and adjusts the sampling rate accordingly, performing processing operations only at the necessary rate, thereby eliminating wasted energy on excessive processing while maintaining universal compatibility across different flowmeter models

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2313974B1Optimizing processor operation in a processing system including one or more digital filters
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 MICRO MOTION INC
  • EP2313974B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2313974B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2313974B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method for optimizing processor operation in a processing system including one or more digital filters is provided according to the invention. The method includes generating initial filter coefficients for the one or more digital filters of the processing system, determining one or more initial filter coefficients for at least one digital filter of the one or more digital filters that can be dropped and dropping the one or more initial filter coefficients. Dropping the one or more initial filter coefficients reduces a total number of filter coefficients to be used by the processing system.