Nanoresonator Resonance Measurement Circuit With Stored Phase Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing resonance frequency measurement circuits using nano-resonators face challenges in guaranteeing forced oscillation at the resonance frequency due to technological dispersions, while consuming more energy and being bulkier, especially when dealing with a large network of NEMS resonators.
Innovation Solution
An electronic circuit with a phase-locked loop and a controllable phase shifter, where a second feedback loop reduces phase shift to zero, and a self-oscillation loop is activated during operation, using stored calibration phase commands to maintain resonance frequency measurement with reduced energy consumption and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a phase-locked loop circuit is used to guarantee forced oscillation at resonance frequency, then measurement reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases and device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing calibration measurements before actual operation. During calibration, the phase-locked loop is activated to measure and store the phase shift introduced by the resonator and amplifier at resonance frequency. This pre-stored calibration data is then used during normal operation to compensate for phase shifts without requiring continuous activation of the full phase-locked loop circuit, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by using only the essential components of the phase-locked loop during normal operation. Instead of maintaining the complete phase-locked loop circuit active, the system uses a simplified approach where only the phase shift compensation based on pre-stored calibration data is applied. This partial usage maintains the necessary measurement reliability while significantly reducing energy consumption and device complexity.
2Reliability
If a phase-locked loop circuit is used to guarantee forced oscillation at resonance frequency, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing calibration measurements before actual operation. During calibration, the phase-locked loop is activated to measure and store the phase shift introduced by the resonator and amplifier at resonance frequency. This pre-stored calibration data is then used during normal operation to compensate for phase shifts without requiring continuous activation of the full phase-locked loop circuit, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by using only the essential components of the phase-locked loop during normal operation. Instead of maintaining the complete phase-locked loop circuit active, the system uses a simplified approach where only the phase shift compensation based on pre-stored calibration data is applied. This partial usage maintains the necessary measurement reliability while significantly reducing energy consumption and device complexity.
3Productivity
If multiple nano-resonators are measured in parallel, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases and device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing calibration measurements before actual operation. During calibration, the phase-locked loop is activated to measure and store the phase shift introduced by the resonator and amplifier at resonance frequency. This pre-stored calibration data is then used during normal operation to compensate for phase shifts without requiring continuous activation of the full phase-locked loop circuit, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by using only the essential components of the phase-locked loop during normal operation. Instead of maintaining the complete phase-locked loop circuit active, the system uses a simplified approach where only the phase shift compensation based on pre-stored calibration data is applied. This partial usage maintains the necessary measurement reliability while significantly reducing energy consumption and device complexity.
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
The circuit ensures accurate resonance frequency measurement across multiple resonators with reduced energy consumption and compact design, suitable for large networks of nano-resonators, by leveraging stored calibration phase commands to maintain self-oscillation at the resonance frequency.
Implementation Method 1
the signal to be measured is the resonance frequency of the nano-resonator, this in fact directly depending on the mass of material deposited on the resonator
Implementation Method 2
a phase-locked loop comprising the resonator, a controlled frequency oscillator and a first comparator phase, this loop slaving the frequency of a controlled oscillator to the resonant frequency of the resonator
Implementation Method 3
a second feedback loop comprising a controllable phase shifter, a second phase comparator receiving the output of the controlled oscillator and the output of the controllable phase shifter, the second phase comparator supplying a phase shifter control signal acting in a direction tending to reduce to zero the phase shift between its inputs
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to nanoresonator oscillators or NEMS oscillators (from the English "nanoelectromechanical systems"). A resonator frequency measurement circuit (NMS) is provided, comprising a first phase-locked feedback loop (B1) that locks the frequency of a variable frequency drive (VCO) to the resonator's resonant frequency. This first loop includes a first phase comparator (CMPH1). Furthermore, a second feedback loop (B2) is provided that searches for and stores (MEM) the loop phase shift introduced by the resonator and its amplification circuit when they are locked to resonance by the first loop. The first and second loops operate during a calibration phase. A third self-oscillation loop (B3) is established during an operating phase.It directly connects the output of the controllable phase shifter to the input of the resonator. The phase shifter receives the phase shift command stored by the second loop.