Mirror-Triggered Pulse Amplifier for Weak Pulse Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pulse detection amplifiers, such as those using transimpedance and capacitive transimpedance amplifiers, are complex, consume significant power, and provide inadequate sensitivity, especially in detecting weak reflected light pulses at long ranges or in adverse industrial environments.
Innovation Solution
A pulse detection system incorporating a modified fast-trigger regulated cascode amplifier architecture with a signal processor and noise filter, including a digital signal processor, that enhances sensitivity and response time while minimizing power consumption, using a combination of detection and mirrored switching legs with a mirror fast trigger to amplify input energy pulses effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional transimpedance amplifiers or capacitive transimpedance amplifiers are used, then pulse detection can be achieved, but the device complexity increases due to operational amplifiers and numerous subcomponents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the operational amplifier and its numerous subcomponents from the traditional transimpedance amplifier structure. The invention replaces this complex operational amplifier-based architecture with a simplified amplifier structure that achieves the same pulse detection function without requiring operational amplifiers, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the electronic operational amplifier system with a different amplifier architecture that uses alternative electronic components and mechanisms. The new structure replaces the operational amplifier's internal complex electronics with a streamlined design using discrete components arranged in a novel configuration, achieving functional equivalence with reduced complexity
2Reliability
If traditional transimpedance amplifiers are used, then pulse detection can be achieved, but significant electrical power is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the power-hungry operational amplifier from the circuit architecture. By extracting this high-power component and replacing it with a low-power amplifier structure using discrete transistors and passive components, the invention significantly reduces electrical power consumption while maintaining pulse detection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the amplifier by operating transistors in specific regions and using novel biasing schemes that minimize power consumption. The new architecture uses lower operating currents and voltages compared to traditional operational amplifier-based designs, achieving the same detection performance with reduced power usage
3Reliability
If traditional transimpedance amplifiers are used, then pulse detection can be achieved, but sensitivity is inadequate for detecting weak reflected light pulses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite amplifier structure that combines multiple transistor types and configurations (including common-source, common-drain, and common-gate stages) to achieve high gain and high sensitivity. This composite architecture leverages the strengths of different transistor configurations to amplify weak reflected light pulses effectively, overcoming the sensitivity limitations of traditional single-stage amplifiers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a nested amplifier architecture where multiple amplification stages are cascaded, with each stage providing additional gain. The nested structure includes input coupling circuits, intermediate amplification stages, and output stages, where each nested level contributes to overall sensitivity enhancement, allowing the system to detect very weak reflected light pulses that single-stage amplifiers cannot detect
Data Source
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AI summary
A pulse detector amplifier is disclosed. The pulse detector amplifier 2 may have a detection switching leg 20 that receives an input energy pulse. The pulse detector may have a mirror fast trigger 30 including a trigger node 9 and controlling a mirrored switching leg 40. The detection switching leg may trigger the trigger node in response to the input energy pulse. The pulse detector amplifier may also have a mirrored switching leg that controlled by the trigger node. The mirrored switching leg may control a voltage and/or current on the output node responsive to the input energy pulse. Thus, the pulse detector may generally include a cascode architecture, with a mirror fast trigger (which may include a FET) between the mirrored legs of the amplifier and enhancing the rapid triggering of the amplifier output. Thus the pulse detector may be power efficient, may have a small part count, and may be sensitive.