Optical Measurement Instrument Digital Communication Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
The modularization of optical measurement instruments is challenging due to the need for independent manufacturing and testing of operational modules, which complicates the assembly and outsourcing of these complex apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a digital communication network supporting a pre-determined protocol, with transceivers in each operational module for data transmission and synchronization, allows for independent testing and easier outsourcing of manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If optical measurement instruments are modularized into separate operational modules, then ease of manufacture and outsourcing is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple independent modules and their interconnections
Solution Approach 1:
The optical measurement instrument is divided into functionally independent operational modules (excitation module, detection module, measurement module) that can be manufactured and tested separately. Each module contains specific functional components (light sources, detectors, sample holders) and can be assembled independently before final integration into the complete measurement instrument.
2Ease of manufacture
If operational modules are designed to be independently testable, then ease of manufacture and quality control is improved, but loss of information occurs due to synchronization challenges between modules
Solution Approach 1:
A digital communication network provides feedback mechanisms between operational modules, allowing synchronization information and status data to be exchanged. The network enables modules to receive timing signals, coordinate their operations, and maintain synchronized state despite being physically separated and independently manufactured.
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical measurement instrument comprises operational modules (101 -107) that are interconnected via a digital communication network (110). Each operational module comprises a transceiver (111 -117) connected to the digital communication network and arranged to support a pre-determined digital communication protocol employed in the digital communication network. Those operational modules that include a detector further comprise an analog-to-digital converter (118) for converting a detected signal into a digital form and a digital circuitry (119) for providing digital information based on the detected signal with address data related to a particular operational module to which the digital information is to be delivered via the digital communication network. As information is transferred between operational modules via the digital communication network using the pre-determined digital communication protocol, the operational modules can be tested independently of each other using a test bench system arranged to support the pre-determined digital communication protocol.