LED Sensor Crosstalk Cancellation With On-Chip ADC-DAC Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

LED-based biometric optical sensors face challenges with cross talk, latency, and power consumption, which affect their dynamic range and accuracy in measuring vital signs.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves initializing a DAC value and determining if the ADC operates within a predetermined range. When the ADC is within range, a conversion is initiated at a first ADC resolution, and the DAC value is incrementally changed when the ADC is not within range to maintain optimal operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If existing control mechanisms use off-chip microcontroller with feedback algorithm to cancel cross talk, then cross talk cancellation is achieved, but latency increases to a fraction of a second

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross talkVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cross talk cancellation function from the off-chip microcontroller and implements it directly in the on-chip AFE logic. This removes the need for external feedback algorithms and microcontroller intervention, achieving latency reduction to less than one AFE sample period while maintaining effective cross talk cancellation through direct digital control of the DAC

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the cross talk cancellation control logic with the AFE circuitry itself, combining previously separate functions (DAC control, ADC monitoring, and cross talk compensation) into a unified on-chip system. This integration eliminates external communication overhead and achieves real-time latency reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Use of energy by moving object

If AFE sample rate is reduced to minimize power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but latency of feedback loop increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidfeedback loop latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The AFE system performs self-adjustment of the DAC value through on-chip logic that automatically monitors ADC output and modifies DAC settings without external intervention. This self-service capability eliminates waiting for external microcontroller responses, reducing feedback latency while maintaining low power operation through optimized sampling strategies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If cross talk is not cancelled, then device complexity is reduced, but dynamic range of receiver AFE decreases and ADC may saturate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol mechanism complexityVSAvoiddynamic range
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes the DAC control parameter based on real-time ADC output monitoring. By adjusting the DAC value in response to measured conditions, the system maintains optimal dynamic range and prevents ADC saturation without requiring complex fixed-structure control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4557619A1Low latency automatic cross talk cancellation for led-based sensors
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 ANALOG DEVICES INC
  • EP4557619A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4557619A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4557619A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for operating an analog-to-digital converter. A method in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure may comprise initializing a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) value of a DAC, determining whether an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) operates within a predetermined range based on an input to the DAC, initiating a conversion at a first ADC resolution when the ADC is operating within the predetermined range, and incrementally changing the DAC value when the ADC is not operating within the predetermined range.