Multiplexed Receiver Circuit for Buried Utility Signal Processing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing buried utility locator systems face challenges in achieving high performance and low cost signal processing due to the need for multiple amplifiers and analog-to-digital converters, leading to increased manufacturing costs, power consumption, and interference issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a signal processing circuit with a multiplexing mechanism that reduces the number of analog-to-digital converters and uses a switching mechanism to efficiently process signals from multiple antenna coils, incorporating a damped low-pass filter and wideband amplifiers to enhance signal gain and reduce noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple analog-to-digital converters are used to process signals from multiple antenna coils, then signal processing performance is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna coil signals into a single processed output stream by summing the individual coil signals after amplification, thereby reducing the need for multiple separate analog-to-digital converters and associated processing circuits while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal signal processing path where a single amplifier and analog-to-digital converter system serves multiple antenna coils through signal summation, allowing the same hardware components to handle signals from different coils rather than requiring dedicated components for each coil
2Power
If multiple amplifiers are used to amplify signals from multiple antenna coils, then signal gain is improved, but power consumption and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the signal paths from multiple antenna coils by summing their outputs before amplification, allowing a single amplifier to provide the necessary gain for all coils rather than requiring multiple amplifiers, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining signal gain
3Productivity
If multiple separate processing circuits are used for each antenna coil, then signal processing capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple antenna coil signals into a single processing stream through summation, enabling one analog-to-digital converter and one digital signal processor to handle all coil inputs rather than requiring separate processing circuits for each coil, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and device size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal processing architecture where single components perform multiple functions - the single amplifier amplifies combined signals from all coils, and the single analog-to-digital converter digitizes the summed output, making the system more manufacturable without sacrificing processing capability
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 results in a more cost-effective, compact, and power-efficient signal processing system that maintains high performance across all frequencies, reducing interference and enabling accurate location of buried utilities.
Implementation Method 1
a damped low-pass filter coupled between an output of the multiplexing circuit and an input of the first wideband amplifier
Implementation Method 2
a damped low-pass filter coupled between an output of the multiplexing circuit and an input of the first wideband amplifier
Implementation Method 3
a first wideband amplifier, with a output of the first wideband amplifier connected to a second wideband amplifier
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of magnetic field sensing antenna coils and a signal processing circuit
Data Source
AI summary
Front end circuits and associated apparatus, systems, and methods for use in electronic devices such as buried utility locators are disclosed. The circuits include receivers and filters on input signals that are coupled to ground rather than differentially. A multiplexing circuit allows shared use of amplifiers, and analog-to-digital converters via a switching mechanism for selectively making or breaking electrical connection to the receiver channels for efficient sharing of electronics resources while minimizing crosstalk interference and advantageously reducing costs.