Multi-Range Gain Chain Mixing for Glitch-Free Material Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional measurement systems experience glitches and errors due to transitions between different ranges of signal amplification, leading to discontinuities and inaccuracies in material property measurements.
Innovation Solution
A measurement system with a gain chain, range selector, and mixer that dynamically configures gain chains for separate ranges, allowing seamless transitions by mixing gain profiles and maintaining amplification chains online during range changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If amplifier stages are switched on and off to configure gain for different signal ranges, then flexibility in configuring gain is improved, but glitching and discontinuity in the measurement occur during transition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-warming up the inactive amplifier chain before switching is needed. The system anticipates range transitions and activates the standby amplifier in advance, allowing it to stabilize and eliminate transients before it becomes the active gain chain, thus preventing measurement discontinuities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a mixer as an intermediary element that combines the outputs of both active and inactive amplifier chains. During transition periods, the mixer blends the signals from both amplifiers, providing a smooth handover and eliminating abrupt discontinuities that would occur with direct switching
2Measurement precision
If separate gain chains are used for different ranges, then measurement accuracy for specific ranges is improved, but transitive effects and errors during range transitions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by keeping both amplifier chains active simultaneously during transition periods. Rather than completely switching from one chain to another, the system maintains both in operation with the mixer combining their outputs, ensuring continuous and smooth measurement without interruptions or transitive effects
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-activating the standby amplifier chain before the actual range transition occurs. This allows the inactive chain to warm up and stabilize its characteristics in advance, reducing transitive effects when it becomes the primary active chain
3Adaptability or versatility
If amplifier chains are switched during range transitions, then adaptability to different signal levels is improved, but transient signals and noise are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by warming up the inactive amplifier chain in advance before it needs to become active. This pre-activation allows the amplifier to stabilize its operating parameters and eliminate transient signals and noise that would otherwise be introduced during sudden switching
Solution Approach 2:
The mixer serves as an intermediary that smoothly transitions between amplifier chains by combining their outputs. During the transition period, both amplifiers contribute to the final signal through the mixer, which blends their outputs to minimize the introduction of transients and noise
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement system includes a gain chain configured to amplify an analog input signal; a range selector configured to select a gain between the analog input signal and a plurality of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) outputs from a plurality of ADCs, wherein each ADC output has a path, and a gain of each output path is made up of a plurality of gain stages in the gain chain; and a mixer configured to combine the plurality of ADC outputs into a single mixed output.