Infrared Sensor Array Pixel Signal Combination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectroscopic sensors face challenges in accuracy and sensitivity due to manufacturing tolerances, contamination, and environmental influences, particularly in detecting multiple gases with two-channel detectors that rely on precise wavelength selection and filter positioning.
Innovation Solution
An infrared sensor array with individually evaluable and controllable pixels, where an evaluation device combines pixel measurement signals from selectively filtered pixels to enhance measurement accuracy and flexibility, while accounting for deviations and manufacturing errors by excluding pixels with significant signal deviations or mispositioned filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a two-channel detector with optical filters is used for detecting specific substances, then the measurement precision for specific gas detection is improved, but the device complexity and sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is divided into multiple independent pixels (e.g., 4 pixels) that can be individually evaluated and controlled. Each pixel functions as an independent detection element, allowing selective activation based on signal quality and wavelength matching, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects which pixels to activate based on real-time signal evaluation. Pixels are selectively controlled according to their individual performance and the specific detection requirements, enabling adaptive optimization of measurement precision without fixed complex filtering hardware
2Measurement precision
If optical filters are positioned precisely on pixels for wavelength selection, then the measurement precision is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis by evaluating the signals from each pixel to determine its own performance characteristics. This self-evaluation allows the system to compensate for manufacturing variations in filter positioning by identifying which pixels provide the most reliable signals for each wavelength range
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on fixed precise filter positioning, the system changes the operational parameters by selecting different pixels for different wavelength ranges based on their actual signal characteristics. This dynamic parameter adjustment replaces the need for precise manufacturing tolerances
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pixels are used for detecting different gases simultaneously, then the adaptability for detecting various gases is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each pixel in the array is designed to be multi-functional, capable of detecting different wavelength ranges and gas types depending on which pixels are activated. The same physical pixel structure serves multiple detection purposes, reducing the need for separate dedicated sensors for each gas
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a larger number of pixels than strictly necessary for a single gas detection, allowing simultaneous capability for multiple gases. This excessive action approach enables the system to handle multiple detection tasks with a single sensor array rather than requiring multiple specialized sensors
4Object-affected harmful factors
If local contamination occurs in the optical path, then the sensitivity to contamination increases, but the reliability of measurement decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent pixels, so that contamination affecting one pixel does not necessarily affect others. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable measurements by using unaffected pixels even when some pixels are compromised by local contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the signal quality from each pixel and uses this feedback to identify and exclude contaminated or malfunctioning pixels from the measurement. This feedback mechanism maintains measurement reliability by adaptive adjustment based on real-time signal analysis
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 increases measurement sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio, reduces sensitivity to mechanical tolerances and contamination, and improves flexibility for detecting various gases by using multiple pixels and adaptive filtering, thereby enhancing overall measurement accuracy and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared radiation source (2) which is designed to emit infrared radiation IR into the absorption path (3), an infrared sensor array (4), which has a matrix with a large number of individually analyzable and controllable pixels (5, 6, 7, 8), which are designed to detect the infrared radiation IR propagated through the fluid medium (50) by the infrared radiation source (2) as individual pixel measurement signals
Implementation Method 2
the pixels (5, 6, 7, 8) of one or more pixel areas (B1, B2, B3, B4) are at least partially provided with a respective optical filter (9, 10, 11) for the wavelength-selective transmission of the infrared radiation
Implementation Method 3
Spectroscopic sensors are used to determine concentrations of certain substances in fluid media to be examined, in particular in gases or liquids, by absorbing IR radiation in relevant wavelength ranges
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention provides a spectroscopic sensor device (1; 1') comprising an absorption section (3) for receiving at least one fluid medium to be analyzed, an infrared radiation source (2) for emitting infrared radiation into the absorption section (3), an infrared sensor array (4; 4'; 4''; 4'''; 4''''), which has a plurality of individually evaluable pixels (5, 6, 7, 8, 9; 5', 6', 7'), which are embodied to detect the infrared radiation that has propagated through the fluid medium from the infrared radiation source (2) as individual pixel measurement signals, and comprising an evaluation apparatus (100), which is embodied to combine a plurality of pixel measurement signals from the pixels (5, 6) and output these via a single measurement channel (K; K'). Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for operating a spectroscopic sensor device.