Parallel Narrow-Band Digital Filtering for Multi-Channel ADC Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data communication systems face challenges in efficiently processing and interpreting signals from various sensors, particularly in accurately converting analog sensor data into digital formats for effective communication and processing in diverse applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of an analog-to-digital conversion circuit with very narrow bandpass digital filtering, which includes a sigma delta analog-to-digital (ADC) circuit and digital decimation filtering, enables precise conversion and filtering of analog signals into digital formats, effectively handling the unique characteristics of different sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If very narrow bandpass digital filtering is implemented to improve signal resolution and reduce noise, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for sigma delta ADC circuit and digital decimation filtering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces analog filtering mechanisms with digital filtering methods. Specifically, it uses a sigma delta analog-to-digital converter followed by digital decimation filtering to achieve very narrow bandpass filtering. This substitution of digital processing for analog circuitry enables precise frequency selection and noise reduction while maintaining manageable system complexity through software-based filtering algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by using oversampling at a high rate followed by digital decimation. The sigma delta ADC oversamples the input signal at a rate much higher than the Nyquist rate, and then digital decimation filtering reduces the sampling rate while maintaining the narrow bandpass characteristics. This parameter transformation approach enables achieving very narrow bandwidth filtering without requiring complex analog filter circuits.
2Productivity
If parallel processing of multiple channels is implemented to improve productivity, then processing speed is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple filtering paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the signal processing into separate parallel channels, each with its own sigma delta ADC and digital decimation filtering path. This segmentation allows simultaneous processing of multiple sensor signals or multiple frequency bands without interference. Each channel operates independently, enabling parallel processing that increases productivity while keeping individual channel complexity manageable through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal digital filtering architecture that can process multiple channels using the same sigma delta ADC and decimation filtering methodology. This multi-functional approach allows the system to handle various sensor types and frequency ranges with a standardized processing pipeline, reducing overall system complexity compared to having dedicated analog filtering circuits for each channel.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes converting, by n analog to digital converter circuits, n analog signals into n first digital signals having a first data rate frequency; converting, by n digital decimation filtering circuits, the n first digital signals into n second digital signals having a second data rate frequency; and converting, by n digital bandpass filter (BPF) circuits, the n second digital signals into a plurality of outbound digital signals having a third data rate frequency. The coefficients for the taps of a digital BPF circuit is set to produce a bandpass region approximately centered at the oscillation frequency of the analog signal and having a bandwidth tuned for filtering a pure tone component of the analog signal. The first data rate frequency is a first integer multiple of the third data rate frequency. The second data rate frequency is a second integer multiple of the third data rate frequency.