Multi-Sensor ADC Filtering for Temperature Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) face challenges in optimizing temperature compensation for sensors, leading to increased circuit area and power consumption, as well as signal degradation when trying to handle both temperature and other analog signals simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
An ADC design that includes an input circuit for receiving signals from multiple sensors, a filter for noise removal, and a digital circuit that adjusts filtering coefficients based on temperature measurements from a secondary sensor mode, allowing for efficient conversion of both temperature and other analog signals while minimizing power consumption and circuit area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor and compensation circuit are added for each sensor, then temperature compensation precision is improved, but circuit area and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature sensor and other signal sensors into a single ADC system. The ADC is configured to receive both temperature signals and other analog signals through a multiplexer, allowing temperature compensation to be performed digitally after conversion. This eliminates the need for separate compensation circuits for each sensor, significantly reducing circuit area while maintaining compensation precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces analog temperature compensation circuits with digital compensation methods. Temperature compensation is performed by processing digital signals after ADC conversion, using digital signal processing techniques instead of analog circuitry. This substitution reduces the need for additional analog components and lowers power consumption.
2Area of stationary object
If temperature sensors and other signal sensors share the same ADC, then circuit area is reduced, but signal degradation occurs due to inability to optimize for both signal types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching capability in the ADC system using a multiplexer. The system can dynamically select between different input sources (temperature sensor or other signal sensors) based on the current measurement requirements. This dynamic configuration allows the ADC to be optimized for the specific signal type being measured at any given time, preventing signal degradation while sharing the same hardware resource.
Solution Approach 2:
The ADC is designed with multi-functionality to handle both temperature signals and other analog signals. By incorporating a multiplexer and digital processing capabilities, the single ADC can perform multiple functions - converting temperature signals with appropriate filtering and converting other analog signals with different filtering parameters, thus maintaining signal quality for both types without requiring separate dedicated ADCs.
3Measurement precision
If filtering is applied to remove noise, then signal quality is improved, but power consumption increases due to continuous filtering operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or event-driven filtering operations rather than continuous filtering. The filter is activated only when needed - such as when a measurement is taken or when signal quality requires enhancement - rather than operating continuously. This periodic action maintains signal quality when necessary while significantly reducing power consumption during idle periods.
Data Source
AI summary
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes an input circuit configured to receive a first analog signal output from a first sensor or a second analog signal output from a second sensor according to an operation mode and a bit stream; a filter configured to filter an output signal from the input circuit; a quantization circuit configured to generate the bit stream from an output signal of the filter; and a digital circuit configured to generate a first digital signal corresponding to the first analog signal or a second digital signal corresponding to the second analog signal by filtering the bit stream, wherein the operation mode includes a first mode selecting the first sensor and a second mode selecting the second sensor, and wherein the digital circuit refers to the second digital signal generated during the second mode to generate the first digital signal during the first mode.