Optical Resonance Sensor Arrays for Simultaneous Beat-Frequency Readout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems with optical resonance elements struggle with efficient and simultaneous reading of signals from multiple sensors, particularly in applications like photo-acoustic imaging, where a large number of sensors are required for image formation.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device utilizing a plurality of sensors with unique optical resonance frequencies, each modulated by distinct signal component pairs from first and second optical frequency combs, allowing simultaneous read-out through detection of beat frequencies using a single detector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of sensors with optical resonance elements are used for photo-acoustic imaging, then measurement precision and image quality are improved, but device complexity and signal reading difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical frequency combs (first and second combs with different repetition frequencies) into a single interrogation system that can simultaneously address multiple sensors. This merging approach allows parallel readout of many sensors through a unified signal path, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from needing separate readout circuits for each sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical frequency comb system serves multiple functions: it provides unique frequency tagging for each sensor, enables parallel interrogation of all sensors simultaneously, and allows differentiation of individual sensor signals through beat frequency detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized readout systems for each sensor.
2Productivity
If multiple sensors are interrogated simultaneously, then productivity and readout speed are improved, but signal separation and detection difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor is assigned a unique local frequency characteristic through its specific optical resonance frequency and associated signal component pair. This local frequency quality allows the system to simultaneously interrogate multiple sensors while maintaining the ability to distinguish and separate individual sensor signals based on their unique frequency signatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the frequency parameter of the interrogation signals by using multiple optical frequency combs with different repetition frequencies. This parameter variation creates distinct beat frequencies for each sensor, enabling simultaneous readout while maintaining signal separability through frequency-domain differentiation.
3Loss of information
If unique optical resonance frequencies are assigned to each sensor, then signal separation is improved, but device complexity and calibration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses optical frequency combs to create frequency copies or tags that correspond to each sensor's optical resonance frequency. Instead of requiring physically different sensors, the comb structure generates multiple frequency components that act as unique identifiers for each sensor, simplifying the hardware while maintaining signal separability.
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
Enables efficient and simultaneous reading of signals from multiple sensors by distinguishing and separating information based on unique beat frequencies, facilitating fast and accurate measurement of measurands.
Implementation Method 1
each sensor comprises an optical resonance element, wherein an optical characteristic of the optical resonance element is configured to be affected by a measurand to be measured by the sensor
Implementation Method 2
the detector is configured to detect a plurality of beat frequencies corresponding to mutually unique differences in frequency between the associated first signal component and second signal component for different signal component pairs
Data Source
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Figure 3a~4b
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
A sensor device (100) comprises: a plurality of sensors (102a-f), wherein each sensor (102a-f) comprises an optical resonance element (106a-f) configured to be affected by a measurand and has a mutually unique optical resonance frequency; the sensors (102a-f) being configured to receive at least one of a first and a second sensor interrogation signals forming a plurality of signal component pairs, wherein a difference in frequency between the frequencies in the signal component pair is different for different signal component pairs; wherein each sensor (102a-f) is configured to modulate an optical intensity of at least one frequency of a mutually unique signal component pair; and a detector (110), being configured to receive the first sensor interrogation signal and the second sensor interrogation signal, wherein the detector (110) is configured to detect a plurality of mutually unique beat frequencies for detecting a plurality of measurements by the plurality of sensors (102a-f).