Measurement System Auto-Calibration Using Reference Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Measurement systems face errors due to environmental stimuli affecting components like transmitters and receivers, leading to increased manufacturing costs and limited operating applications, necessitating effective calibration techniques.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a reference device in the signal processing chain that responds to excitation signals, allowing for auto-calibration by capturing calibration samples and generating compensated measurement signals that account for phase and amplitude errors, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and improving operating characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If rigid design specifications are imposed on transmitters and receivers to ensure known response to environmental factors, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration by capturing calibration samples with a reference device before actual measurements. This preliminary action characterizes the response of transmitters and receivers to environmental factors, allowing the system to compensate for their effects without requiring expensive rigid specifications during manufacturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A reference device is introduced as an intermediary element with known response characteristics. This reference device serves as a mediator to measure and characterize the system's response to environmental factors, enabling compensation without imposing strict manufacturing specifications on the transmitters and receivers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If rigid design specifications are imposed on transmitters and receivers to ensure known response to environmental factors, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from calibration samples to generate compensation factors that correct measurements. By continuously characterizing the system response through calibration and applying corrections based on this feedback, the system achieves high measurement precision without complex rigid design specifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If environmental factors are controlled within predetermined ranges, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidoperating applications

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes parameters by capturing calibration samples at different environmental conditions and frequencies. This allows the system to adapt to varying environmental factors and extend its operating range while maintaining measurement precision through compensation based on the characterized response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Measurement precision

If calibration is performed to remove errors from component responses to environmental stimuli, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration process is integrated into the measurement workflow, allowing continuous operation. The system captures calibration samples and generates compensation factors in a streamlined manner that minimizes interruption to measurement activities while maintaining high precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9389275B2Techniques for calibrating measurement systems

Publication Date: 2016.07.12 ANALOG DEVICES INC

AI summary

Techniques to provide calibration of a measurement system in conjunction with measurement operations. The techniques may include providing a reference device in a signal processing chain within the measurement system. An excitation signal may be driven through the reference device while it may be connected to the signal processing chain within the measurement system and a calibration response may be captured. During a measurement operation, the reference device connection may be complemented with a sensor connection in the signal processing chain and the excitation signal may be driven through the signal processing chain. A measurement response may be captured from the system. The measurement system may generate a calibrated measurement signal that accounts for phase and/or amplitude errors within the system from the calibration response and the measurement response.