Multiplexing Transmitter for Multi-Sensor Versatility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and limited versatility of transmitters in monitoring systems, leading to excessive production costs, electricity waste, and short system life due to the need for multiple dedicated transmitters for different sensors, result in inefficient resource allocation and increased expenses.
Innovation Solution
A transmitter with a multi-to-one multiplexing switch, variable gain amplifiers, and embedded software that allows dynamic selection and amplification of sensor signals, enabling multiplexing, sleeping, and waking functions, reducing the need for multiple transmitters and optimizing power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple dedicated transmitters are used for different sensors, then each sensor can be processed specifically, but the cost increases exponentially and versatility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single transmitter that can process multiple types of sensor signals by incorporating a multi-to-one multiplexing switch and variable gain amplifier. The transmitter is designed with multiple input terminals that can accept different sensor signals, and through software control, it dynamically configures amplification parameters and switching routes to handle various sensor types (temperature, pressure, humidity, etc.), thereby achieving universal functionality without requiring dedicated transmitters for each sensor type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic parameter adjustment through a variable gain amplifier whose amplification factor can be changed based on the input signal characteristics. The system includes a microcontroller that reads sensor type identification, determines appropriate amplification parameters, and dynamically configures the transmitter in real-time. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same hardware to adapt to different sensor requirements, resolving the contradiction between specialized processing and versatility.
2Reliability
If dedicated transmitters are used for each sensor, then signal processing is optimized, but the production cost and user cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple dedicated transmitters into a single integrated device. By combining multiple input terminals, a multi-to-one multiplexing switch, a variable gain amplifier, and a microcontroller into one transmitter unit, the system achieves the same signal processing capability as multiple dedicated transmitters but with significantly reduced component count and production cost. The merging maintains reliability through dedicated signal paths for each channel while sharing common processing resources.
3Reliability
If multiple transmitters operate continuously, then all sensors are monitored, but electricity is wasted when data collection is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic data collection and processing cycles instead of continuous operation. The microcontroller can be configured to sample sensors at specific intervals, putting the transmitter into a low-power state between sampling periods. This periodic action maintains monitoring coverage by systematically checking all sensors while dramatically reducing power consumption during intervals when no data collection is occurring, especially beneficial for slow-changing parameters like temperature or pressure that don't require continuous monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a transmitter and a monitoring system using this transmitter, the transmitter includes: a multi-to-one multiplexing switch configured to receive a plurality of sensor signals of a plurality of channels through a plurality of input terminals, select one sensor signal from the plurality of sensor signals, and output the selected sensor signal through a output terminal; a first variable gain amplifier configured to receive the selected sensor signal, amplify the selected sensor signal with a gain within a first gain range, and output the amplified sensor signal; a control parameter input terminal configured to receive an input control parameter from outside of the transmitter; and an operating and switching selector configured to perform operations according to the input control parameter, so as to control the multi-to-one multiplexing switch to select the one sensor signal and control the gain of the first variable gain amplifier.