Low-Level Magnetic Field Driver With DAC Error Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electromagnetic therapy systems for generating low-level magnetic fields suffer from precision and accuracy issues due to electronic errors caused by non-linearity and stray AC and DC offsets, which are often mitigated by using expensive laboratory-grade components.

Innovation Solution

A driver system incorporating a first and second digital to analog converter, a differential amplifier, and an attenuator, which computes correction factors for gain error and offset correction to minimize electronic errors, allowing precise control of the magnetic field without requiring laboratory-grade components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If commercial-grade or consumer-grade components are used in the driver system, then cost is reduced, but precision and accuracy deteriorate due to non-linearity and stray AC and DC offsets

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidprecision and accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the driver measures its own output and uses this information to correct errors. The processor monitors the actual output signal and compares it to the desired signal, then adjusts the drive signal to compensate for non-linearity and offsets, enabling commercial-grade components to achieve laboratory-grade precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes operational parameters including gain factors, offset corrections, and frequency adjustments based on real-time measurements. By continuously adapting these parameters, the system compensates for component variations and environmental factors, maintaining high precision without requiring expensive laboratory-grade components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If laboratory-grade components are used to reduce non-linearity and stray AC and DC offsets, then precision and accuracy are improved, but cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision and accuracyVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces reliance on high-precision hardware (mechanical/electrical components) with software-based correction algorithms. Instead of using expensive laboratory-grade components to physically minimize errors, the system uses digital signal processing and computational methods to correct errors in real-time, achieving the same precision at lower cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention enables the use of inexpensive commercial-grade components that would normally be considered insufficient for precision work. By combining these affordable components with software correction, the system achieves laboratory-grade performance without the associated cost, effectively replacing expensive components with cheaper alternatives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If manual attenuators with discrete resistors are used, then device complexity is reduced, but precision deteriorates due to electronic errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidprecision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual attenuators with discrete resistors with a digital control system. The processor generates drive signals with precise amplitude control through digital-to-analog conversion and software-based attenuation, eliminating the precision limitations of manual resistor networks while maintaining manageable system complexity through integrated circuitry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system provides highly accurate and precise low-level magnetic fields, reducing variations and instability, and can adjust output based on ambient conditions and temperature, effectively addressing the limitations of existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

a first digital to analog converter and a second digital to analog converter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDigital to Analog Conversion:

Implementation Method 2

a differential amplifier configured to receive a first signal from the first digital to analog converter and receive a second signal from the second digital to analog converter and output a third signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDifferential Amplification:

Implementation Method 3

drivers for providing a signal in order to generate a magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9480854B2Highly precise and low level signal-generating drivers, systems, and methods of use

Publication Date: 2016.11.01 APPLIED MAGNETICS LLC

AI summary

Apparatus and method for providing and using a highly precise and low level driver. In one described embodiment, a driver for a magnetic field generating device is provided, the driver including a first digital to analog converter and a second digital to analog converter; a differential amplifier configured to receive a first signal from the first digital to analog converter and receive a second signal from the second digital to analog converter and output a third signal; and an attenuator to configured to receive the third signal from the differential amplifier.