PLL Virtual Reference Positioning for Photometric Measurement Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
The accuracy of determining physical reference positions in photometric measurement systems is limited by interference, noise, and non-homogeneous movement, leading to inaccurate measurement position determination and reduced throughput in automated analysis devices.
Innovation Solution
A phase-locked loop method is used to determine a virtual reference position based on the physical reference position, employing an optoelectronic sensor system like a fork light barrier and a digital integrated circuit, such as an FPGA, to improve position determination accuracy by correcting phase deviations and ensuring precise measurement position identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a physical reference position is used with a light barrier to determine measurement positions, then the system can operate with simple control mechanisms, but the accuracy of position determination is reduced due to interference, noise, and non-homogeneous movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual reference position as a copy of the physical reference position, processed through a phase-locked loop. This virtual reference position has the same functional purpose but is free from the physical limitations of the light barrier signal, thereby improving measurement precision without adding significant physical complexity to the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical reference system (light barrier and physical reference position) with an electronic signal processing system (phase-locked loop generating virtual reference position). This substitution eliminates the limitations of the physical system while maintaining the essential reference function, improving accuracy without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Productivity
If the photometric measuring device is moved relative to measuring cells to examine multiple samples simultaneously, then sample throughput is increased, but position determination accuracy deteriorates due to movement variations
Solution Approach 1:
The phase-locked loop implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the position of the photometric measuring device and adjusts the virtual reference position accordingly. This feedback system compensates for movement variations and non-homogeneous motion, maintaining measurement position accuracy even when the device moves to examine multiple samples simultaneously, thus preserving both productivity and precision.
3Reliability
If a light barrier signal is used to define the physical reference position, then the system structure remains simple, but measurement reliability is reduced due to signal interference and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a phase-locked loop as an intermediary between the physical reference position (light barrier signal) and the measurement system. This intermediary processes the noisy physical signal to generate a clean, reliable virtual reference position, thereby improving measurement reliability while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through the use of a standard signal processing technique.
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 reduces erroneous measurements attributed to position errors, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of measured value acquisition and increasing the sample throughput in automated analysis devices.
Implementation Method 1
a physical reference position is formed by a forked light barrier that is passed through once with each revolution
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for determining the location of a large number of measurement positions in a measurement system of an automatic analysis device and a corresponding automatic analysis device with an integrated circuit configured as a phase-locked loop.