Magnetic Sensor Array Frequency Division Multiplexing Readout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional assay techniques face challenges in achieving rapid and sensitive detection of magnetically tagged components due to the time it takes for tagged parts to bind to sensor surfaces, which is influenced by the size of the sensor elements, leading to a trade-off between sensitivity and binding delay.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic sensor array utilizing magnetoresistive sensor elements with outputs combined by frequency division multiplexing (FDM) and optionally time division multiplexing (TDM), featuring subarrays with row and column addressable sensor element pixels, and a modulated external magnetic field to reduce noise and interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor elements are made smaller to improve sensitivity, then measurement precision is improved, but binding delay increases because tagged components take longer to encounter and bind to the sensor surface
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is divided into multiple subarrays, with each subarray containing multiple sensor elements that are spatially distributed. This segmentation allows the system to maintain small sensor elements for high sensitivity while the distributed arrangement across multiple subarrays ensures rapid binding through increased total surface area and reduced diffusion distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional sensor array to a multi-dimensional subarray structure with row and column addressable pixels. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous optimization of sensor size for sensitivity and spatial distribution for binding speed, resolving the trade-off between these two parameters.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensor element pixels are provided per oligomer spot to improve sensitivity, then measurement precision is improved, but readout time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensor element pixels within each subarray are merged through frequency division multiplexing to produce a single combined output signal. This merging allows the system to maintain multiple sensors for high sensitivity while reading out their combined signal simultaneously, dramatically reducing readout time compared to sequential reading of individual pixels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies frequency division multiplexing to change the signal parameter from individual pixel outputs to a combined multiplexed output. This parameter transformation enables parallel readout of multiple sensors through frequency encoding, resolving the contradiction between having multiple sensors for sensitivity and reading them out quickly.
3Device complexity
If time division multiplexing is used to combine sensor outputs, then device complexity is reduced, but readout time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses frequency division multiplexing with periodic frequency shifts applied to sensor outputs. This periodic action encodes multiple sensor signals at different frequencies, allowing simultaneous readout through frequency discrimination, which is faster and more efficient than sequential time division multiplexing while maintaining manageable device complexity.
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
This approach significantly reduces readout time while maintaining high sensitivity, enabling efficient detection of tagged components, even with smaller sensor elements, and improves signal-to-noise ratio by mitigating 1/f noise and electromagnetic interference.
Implementation Method 1
magnetoresistive sensor elements
Implementation Method 2
A modulated external magnetic field is preferably applied during operation, to reduce the effect of 1/f noise on the sensor element signals
Implementation Method 3
Each sensor element provides an input to a mixer which provides a distinct frequency shift
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic sensor array including magnetoresistive sensor elements having outputs combined by frequency division multiplexing (FDM) is provided. Each sensor element provides an input to a mixer which provides a distinct frequency shift. Preferably, time division multiplexing is also used to combine sensor element outputs. Each sensor element is typically in proximity to a corresponding sample. The sensor elements are preferably subarrays having row and column addressable sensor element pixels. This arrangement provides multiple sensor pixels for each sample under test. Multiplexing of sensor element outputs advantageously reduces readout time. A modulated external magnetic field is preferably applied during operation, to reduce the effect of 1/f noise on the sensor element signals. The effect of electromagnetic interference (EMI) induced by the magnetic field on sensor element signals is advantageously reduced by the mixing required for FDM.