Current-Isolated Linear Regulator for High Dynamic Range Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical current measurement systems are ineffective in accurately measuring discontinuous and high dynamic range currents, such as those encountered in low power consumption devices like battery-powered medical devices, due to their design for continuous current with low dynamic range.
Innovation Solution
A test system comprising a power capacitor, a voltage regulator, and a controller that regulates the switching circuit to charge and discharge the capacitor, allowing for accurate measurement of current consumption by isolating the current path and using the capacitor's discharge characteristics to calculate current, and a current-isolated linear voltage regulator to match input and output currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional current measurement systems are used to measure discontinuous high dynamic range current, then the measurement system remains simple and continuous current measurement capability is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to high dynamic range and discontinuous current characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system segments the current measurement process into distinct phases: a charging phase where the capacitor is charged to a known voltage, and a measurement phase where the capacitor discharges through the device under test. This segmentation allows the system to measure total charge transfer over a complete cycle, effectively capturing discontinuous current characteristics that conventional continuous measurement systems miss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary capacitor between the voltage source and the device under test. This capacitor serves as a charge storage element that accumulates charge during the charging phase and releases it during the measurement phase, allowing indirect measurement of discontinuous current through voltage change observation rather than direct current measurement.
2Use of energy by moving object
If switch-mode power supply is used in low power standby mode, then power consumption is reduced, but current continuity deteriorates resulting in discontinuous pulse train current
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system employs periodic action by cycling between a charging state and a measurement state. During the charging state, the capacitor is charged to a known voltage. During the measurement state, the capacitor discharges through the device under test. This periodic cycling captures the total charge consumption over complete cycles, effectively measuring the average current while accommodating the discontinuous nature of switch-mode standby current.
3Reliability
If conventional linear voltage regulator is used, then voltage regulation is achieved, but current matching between input and output deteriorates due to internal component current consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the voltage regulation function from the main current measurement path by using a separate auxiliary power supply for the linear voltage regulator. This extraction ensures that the regulator's internal current consumption (for reference voltage, error amplifier, etc.) is supplied independently and does not interfere with the current measurement through the capacitor discharge path, maintaining accurate current matching between input and output.
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
Enables precise measurement of electrical current consumption in devices with high dynamic range currents, improving accuracy and reducing measurement errors, while maintaining low cost and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a power capacitor with a power terminal and a ground terminal, and configured to provide capacitor voltage at the power terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A linear voltage regulator with isolated supply current is disclosed. The voltage regulator is configured and controlled such that its output current closely matches its input current (any quiescent current consumed by the regulator is negligible relative to the amount of current passed by the regulator). In certain implementations, the voltage regulator is implemented as an analog component. In other implementations, the voltage regulator includes or cooperates with digital elements, such as an analog-to-digital converter, a digital processing core, or a digital-to-analog converter.