Measurement Circuit Drift Compensation via Reference Voltage Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Measurement circuits in power systems face inaccuracies due to component drift and aging caused by stress conditions like temperature and humidity, which existing technologies fail to effectively compensate for, leading to measurement errors and potential energy waste.
Innovation Solution
A measurement circuit design that includes a first measurement element and a second reference measurement element, both exposed to the same environmental factors, with a compensation circuit that adjusts the reference voltage of an ADC to mirror the drift of the first measurement element, ensuring accurate parameter monitoring without interfering with its operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a measurement element is used to measure parameters in power systems, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement accuracy deteriorates over time due to component drift from aging and stress conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a second measurement element that replicates the characteristics and environmental exposure of the first measurement element. This copy experiences the same drift due to aging and stress conditions, allowing its drift to be measured and used to compensate for the drift in the first measurement element, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a compensation circuit that continuously monitors the output of the second measurement element and uses this information to generate a compensation factor. This compensation factor is applied to the output of the first measurement element in real-time, creating a feedback loop that corrects for drift and maintains measurement accuracy over time.
2Measurement precision
If compensation for component drift is implemented, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex active compensation circuits or temperature sensors, the patent employs a simple passive second measurement element that passively replicates the drift characteristics. This approach maintains measurement accuracy while minimizing the addition of complex circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The second measurement element automatically tracks and reflects the drift conditions of the first measurement element without requiring external control or complex processing. The compensation circuit simply needs to measure the second element's output and apply the appropriate correction, allowing the system to self-compensate for environmental effects.
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement circuit for monitoring at least one parameter of an input signal received from an external signal source includes at least one first measurement element coupled to the input signal and configured to provide an initial measurement signal indicative of a respective one or more of the at least one parameter of the input signal. An analog to digital converter is coupled to receive a signal indicative of the analog output signal and a reference voltage and configured to generate a digital output signal representative of the analog output signal. A compensation circuit is responsive to an output of at least one second measurement element and to a reference signal to generate a compensation signal indicative of a difference between the output of the at least one second measurement element and the reference signal. A voltage level of the reference voltage is adjusted in response to the compensation signal.