Phase-Sensitive Signal Normalization for Interference-Robust Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring devices for non-electrical quantities face challenges in minimizing the influence of interference signal components on measured values, particularly in systems like gas analyzers, where changes in magnetic circuit properties affect the measurement results, requiring costly equipment for current measurement.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a normalization stage that normalizes the measured value using the square of the interference signal value, eliminating the need for current measurement equipment and compensating for interference effects by processing both useful and interference signal components through the same analog and digital pathways.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If current measurement equipment is added to compensate for interference, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful interference signal component into a useful normalization factor. By measuring the interference signal value and using its square to normalize the measured value, the system transforms the previously harmful interference into a beneficial reference for compensation, eliminating the need for separate current measurement equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The interference signal measurement serves multiple functions: it acts as both a diagnostic indicator for system health monitoring and as a normalization reference for measurement compensation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated current measurement equipment while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If current measurement equipment is added to compensate for interference, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful interference signal component into a useful normalization factor. By measuring the interference signal value and using its square to normalize the measured value, the system transforms the previously harmful interference into a beneficial reference for compensation, eliminating the need for separate current measurement equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own interference signal measurement to perform the normalization function that would otherwise require external current measurement equipment. The measuring device serves itself by utilizing the interference signal it already detects for diagnostic purposes to also perform measurement compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If interference signal components are attenuated by filter measures, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidloss of information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of filtering out the interference signal component, the patent converts it into a useful normalization reference. The interference signal value is squared and used to normalize the measured value, transforming the harmful interference into a beneficial compensation factor that preserves all signal information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than removing the interference signal through filtering, the patent inverts the approach by utilizing the interference signal for normalization. This inversion preserves the complete signal information while achieving measurement compensation through a fundamentally different methodology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 allows for accurate normalization of measured values without requiring current measurement equipment, effectively compensating for interference and changes in the signal path, thereby enhancing measurement reliability and reducing operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

the electrical measurement signal having a useful signal component dependent on the non-electrical variable with twice the frequency and an interference signal component dependent on the alternating current with the frequency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency multiplication:

Implementation Method 2

the signal processing software being designed to make the digital signal phase-sensitive by multiplying it with a reference signal at twice the frequency to be detected and processed by subsequent low-pass filtering

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase-sensitive detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3276308B1Measuring apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3276308B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3276308B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

In a measuring device, a non-electrical variable (2) is converted into an electrical measurement signal (3) by means of an alternating electrical current of frequency (f), which has a useful signal component (3(2f)) that is dependent on the non-electrical variable (2) and has twice the frequency ( 2f) and an interference signal component (3 (f)) which is dependent on the alternating current (I (f)) and has the frequency (f). A digital signal (9) is generated from the measurement signal (3) by pre-processing and digitization, which is detected phase-sensitively by multiplication (13) with a reference signal (14) at twice the frequency (2f) and by subsequent low-pass filtering (15) to one of the non-electrical variable (2) proportional measured value (11) is processed. The digital signal (9) is also detected phase-sensitively by multiplication (18) with a further reference signal (19) at the simple frequency (f) and processed by subsequent low-pass filtering (15) to form an interference signal value (20). According to the invention, the interference signal value (20) is used to normalize the measured value (11) by normalizing it in a normalization stage (22) by forming the quotient with the square of the interference signal value (20) and outputting it as a normalized measured value (11).