Optical Sensor Flicker Cancellation via Segmented Integration Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical sensors face inaccuracies due to the flicker of ambient light sources, particularly those powered by AC, which can lead to unstable sensing results.
Innovation Solution
The method involves decomposing the integration time into even segments and setting the time interval between these segments according to the flicker frequency of the ambient light, effectively canceling out flicker components in the sensing results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensing cycles are averaged to reduce flicker influence, then the accuracy of sensing result is improved, but the response time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The integration time is divided into multiple integration time segments, with each segment producing a sensing result. By segmenting the measurement process and strategically timing the segments to capture opposite phases of the flicker cycle, the system achieves flicker cancellation without requiring multiple complete sensing cycles, thus maintaining fast response time while improving accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If integration time is extended to capture more light signals, then the measurement precision is improved, but the response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The method utilizes the periodic nature of flicker by setting the time interval between integration time segments to correspond to opposite phases of the flicker cycle. This periodic sampling approach allows the system to achieve accurate measurements through strategically timed short integration segments rather than requiring extended continuous integration, thereby maintaining both precision and fast response.
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 significantly improves the stability and accuracy of ambient light sensing results by mitigating the influence of flicker, without increasing system resource consumption or altering sensing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an analog signal generated by a light-sensing device (such as a photodiode, PD) upon receiving light
Data Source
AI summary
An operation method of an optical sensor comprising receiving an ambient light by a light-sensing device. Record a signal generated by the light-sensing device after receiving the ambient light by a operation unit. A flicker frequency of the ambient light is determined by the operation unit. A signal operation parameter is set according to the flicker frequency, and the signal operation parameter comprises a sampling time difference, which is the starting time interval of two corresponding integration time periods of a plurality of integration time periods. Furthermore, the light-sensing device and the operation unit start the calculation of the intensity of the ambient light, so that the flicker component of an ambient light source may be eliminated from the light sensing result to produce a stable sensing result.