Humidity Sensor Measuring Circuit Component Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing humidity sensor measuring circuits require a large number of components, leading to high manufacturing costs and reduced integration density on circuit boards, limiting the number of measuring circuits that can be implemented.
Innovation Solution
A measuring circuit with a control block, time base, and sensor block that includes two counting blocks, where the sensor block provides a frequency signal representative of the measured physical quantity or a reference frequency, and the control block manages the counting blocks in alternating phases to efficiently process the signal, reducing component count and integration area requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional humidity sensor measuring circuits are used, then measurement precision is achieved, but device complexity increases due to large number of components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple circuit functions into integrated blocks: the sensor block integrates the humidity sensor and oscillator, the first counting block integrates clock timing and measurement counting, and the second counting block integrates sensor frequency timing and reference counting. This merging reduces the overall number of discrete components while maintaining measurement precision through coordinated operation of these integrated blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring circuit employs multi-functional blocks that perform multiple operations: the sensor block both senses humidity and generates frequency output, the counting blocks both time the circuit and perform measurements, and the control block coordinates phase transitions and signal routing. This multi-functionality reduces component count by making each component serve multiple purposes in the measurement system.
2Measurement precision
If traditional humidity sensor measuring circuits are used, then measurement precision is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple circuit functions into integrated blocks: the sensor block integrates the humidity sensor and oscillator, the first counting block integrates clock timing and measurement counting, and the second counting block integrates sensor frequency timing and reference counting. This merging reduces the overall number of discrete components while maintaining measurement precision through coordinated operation of these integrated blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring circuit employs multi-functional blocks that perform multiple operations: the sensor block both senses humidity and generates frequency output, the counting blocks both time the circuit and perform measurements, and the control block coordinates phase transitions and signal routing. This multi-functionality reduces component count by making each component serve multiple purposes in the measurement system.
3Measurement precision
If traditional humidity sensor measuring circuits are used, then measurement precision is achieved, but integration density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple circuit functions into integrated blocks: the sensor block integrates the humidity sensor and oscillator, the first counting block integrates clock timing and measurement counting, and the second counting block integrates sensor frequency timing and reference counting. This merging reduces the overall number of discrete components while maintaining measurement precision through coordinated operation of these integrated blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the sensor block contains the humidity sensor and oscillator, which is timed by the time base. The first counting block nests the clock timing function, and the second counting block nests the sensor frequency timing function. This nested organization allows compact integration of multiple functions within hierarchical blocks, reducing the overall silicon surface area required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables a precise and cost-effective humidity measurement circuit that is less resource-intensive, allowing for a higher density of measuring circuits on integrated circuits, independent of the time base frequency, and capable of linearizing the capacitance measurement for accurate humidity quantification.
Implementation Method 1
These armatures are supplied with voltage so that their interleaving causes the creation of a capacitance
Implementation Method 2
have a dielectric between each other
Implementation Method 3
molecules of water infiltrate between the two armatures into the dielectric
Implementation Method 4
this variable capacitance is inserted in a resonator so as to produce an RC oscillator. Consequently, the frequency output from said resonator is dependent upon the value of the capacitance and therefore upon the degree of moisture
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a measuring circuit comprising a control block for controlling said circuit, a time base for providing a clock signal (fclk) in order to time said circuit, a sensor block which is designed to provide an output signal, said measuring circuit comprising in addition a first counting block which is timed to the clock frequency and a second counting block which is timed by the frequency of the output signal of the sensor block.