Oscillation Counting Device Using Threshold Crossing Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for counting oscillations in oscillating time signals are complex and require frequency analysis, specific sensors, and can lead to false alarms due to transient threshold overshoots, particularly in aircraft flight control systems.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising comparators, logic gates, bistable flip-flops, and an OR logic gate to increment a counter based on threshold crossings, with optional filtering and delay units to filter and differentiate frequency bands, reducing false alarms and calculation complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If frequency analysis is used to count oscillations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex frequency analysis algorithms with a simple threshold-based electronic counting system using comparators, flip-flops, and logic gates. This substitution of computational methods with hardware-based threshold detection achieves oscillation counting without requiring complex processing, thus maintaining measurement precision while dramatically reducing device complexity and computational load.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the approach from analyzing frequency parameters through complex algorithms to detecting simple threshold crossing events. By monitoring when the signal exceeds predetermined positive and negative thresholds and counting these transitions, the system achieves accurate oscillation counting through parameter simplification rather than complex computation.
2Measurement precision
If complex frequency analysis is implemented in real-time, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to calculation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes computationally intensive frequency analysis with simple hardware-based threshold comparison and edge detection. This replacement enables real-time oscillation counting with minimal processing time, as the system only needs to detect when the signal crosses predetermined thresholds rather than performing complex spectral analysis, thus maintaining accuracy while maximizing processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-setting threshold values before signal processing begins. The comparators are configured with predetermined positive and negative thresholds in advance, allowing the system to immediately detect and count oscillations without requiring complex real-time computation, thereby enabling fast real-time processing while maintaining measurement precision.
3Device complexity
If simple threshold counting is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases due to false alarms from transient overshoots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic state tracking using bistable flip-flops that remember the current state (positive or negative threshold region). This dynamic memory function allows the system to distinguish between genuine oscillations and transient overshoots by tracking the sequence of threshold crossings, thereby maintaining simple hardware while significantly improving reliability through state-aware detection logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback through the interconnection of flip-flops and logic gates that monitor the sequence of threshold crossings. The state of previous crossings feeds into the decision logic for current crossings, allowing the system to validate oscillation patterns and reject spurious transient signals, thus maintaining simplicity while enhancing reliability through feedback-based validation.
4Measurement precision
If specific sensors are used for oscillation detection, then measurement precision is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal oscillation counting system that can process any oscillating signal regardless of its source or characteristics. The threshold-based comparators and state-machine logic are generic and do not require specialized sensors tuned to specific signal types, enabling the same hardware to accurately detect various oscillation patterns without adding weight through specialized sensing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces physical specialized sensors with electronic signal processing that can handle diverse input signals through software or logic configuration rather than hardware specialization. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple specialized sensor types, reducing overall system weight while maintaining the ability to accurately detect different oscillation patterns through configurable threshold levels.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for counting oscillations of an oscillating temporal signal. The device comprises means for counting all the alternate crossings of a positive threshold value and of a negative threshold value by a monitored time signal.