Reconfigurable Sensor Front-End Using FPGA for Multi-Sensor Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices require custom hardware front-end circuits to interface with sensors and peripherals, limiting flexibility, increasing cost, complexity, and power consumption, and necessitating multiple dedicated devices for different applications.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable logic block within electronic devices, utilizing programmable hardware such as Field Programmable Analog Arrays (FPAA) or Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), dynamically synthesizes front-end circuits based on Hardware Description Language (HDL) code and specification values, allowing the device to interface with multiple sensors and peripherals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom hardware front-end circuits are used to interface with specific sensors and peripherals, then the device can support specific sensor interfaces, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal reconfigurable front-end platform using FPGA technology that can dynamically adapt to interface with multiple types of sensors and peripherals. Instead of designing separate custom hardware circuits for each sensor type, the system uses a single reconfigurable platform that can be programmed via HDL code to support different sensor interfaces, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining broad compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic reconfiguration capability where the front-end hardware can be reprogrammed in real-time to match the requirements of different sensors. The FPGA device allows dynamic synthesis of front-end circuits based on HDL code, enabling the system to adapt its hardware configuration dynamically rather than being fixed, thus resolving the contradiction between supporting multiple interfaces and maintaining low complexity
2Reliability
If dedicated custom front-end hardware is designed for each sensor type, then the sensor interface is optimized, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reconfigurable front-end platform consolidates multiple dedicated hardware circuits into a single universal device that can perform different functions by reconfiguration. This eliminates the need for multiple parallel hardware paths, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining reliable sensor interfaces through optimized HDL code synthesis for each specific sensor type
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dedicated devices are purchased for different applications, then each application has specialized functionality, but the overall system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple dedicated devices into a single reconfigurable platform. By combining various sensor interface capabilities, signal processing functions, and peripheral communication protocols into one FPGA-based system, the patent eliminates the need for users to purchase and integrate multiple separate devices, thereby reducing both system cost and configuration complexity while maintaining application-specific functionality through software reconfiguration
Data Source
AI summary
A reconfigurable sensor front-end includes a logic block having a storage circuit to store hardware description information and a reconfigurable block including a plurality of circuits. The plurality of circuits are to be set in a first configuration based on the hardware description information and are to be set in a second configuration when the hardware description information changes. The first hardware description information corresponds to a first sensor and the changed hardware description information corresponding to a second sensor.