Frequency Measurement Using Deviation-Compensated Pulse Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pulse counting techniques for measuring the frequency of input signals with continuous pulse trains face accuracy issues due to synchronization errors and require high reference clock frequencies, which increase power consumption and are difficult to implement.
Innovation Solution
A physical quantity measuring apparatus that generates a synchronized input signal, measures the total number of pulses of the reference clock in synchronized input signal units, and compensates for deviations by generating and integrating front-half and rear-half deviation signals to calculate the average number of pulses, thereby improving measurement accuracy without increasing the reference clock frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the reference clock frequency is increased to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases and implementation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement period is divided into multiple sub-periods, and the pulse counting process is segmented into multiple stages. By measuring pulse intervals over multiple segments and calculating the average, the patent achieves high measurement accuracy without requiring a high-frequency reference clock, thus avoiding increased power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary synchronization of the input signal with the reference clock before the actual measurement process. This preliminary action ensures that the measurement starts from a known reference point, improving accuracy without requiring higher clock frequencies or additional power consumption.
2Measurement precision
If the reference clock frequency is increased to reduce synchronization errors, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the measurement approach by using multiple measurement periods and calculating average values. This dynamic measurement strategy improves synchronization accuracy and reduces errors without requiring a statically high reference clock frequency, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
3Productivity
If multiple measurements are performed in parallel to reduce total measurement time, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring multiple counters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement processes into a single counter by sequentially measuring pulse intervals over multiple periods and calculating the average. This approach achieves high productivity through efficient time utilization without requiring multiple counters, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous measurement action by overlapping measurement periods and utilizing the counter continuously across multiple measurement cycles. This continuous operation improves productivity without requiring additional counters, avoiding increased device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A physical quantity measuring method includes: (a) generating a synchronized input signal from an input signal, wherein the synchronized input signal is synchronized with a reference clock; (b) measuring a total number (Nsum) that is the sum of pulses of the reference clock included in each of n units of the synchronized input signal; (c) generating 2n deviation signals based on a delay of the synchronized input signal with respect to the input signal; (d) generating a deviation integration signal by subtracting the total values of n rear-half deviation signals from the total values of n front-half deviation signals; (e) converting the deviation integration signal into a number of pulses of the reference clock; and (f) calculating the average number (Nrave) of pulses of the reference clock included in one unit of the input signal, based on the total number (Nsum), the number (dNsum), and the number n.