Position Encoder Readout with Limited-Range ADC Digitization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for determining position, length, or angle are time-consuming and limited in resolution due to the comprehensive comparison of measurement signals with a full set of reference values across their entire amplitude range.
Innovation Solution
A specification unit generates a specification signal that defines a range of reference values for subsequent digitization, allowing the analog-to-digital converter to digitize the measurement signal within this limited range, thereby reducing the number of comparisons needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If comprehensive comparison of measurement signal with full set of reference values is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but time required for digitization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The specification unit performs preliminary determination of the range of reference values based on the previous measurement value before the actual digitization process. This preliminary action identifies which reference values are relevant for the current measurement, allowing the analog-to-digital converter to focus only on those specific reference values rather than comparing against the entire set, thus reducing digitization time while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a uniform set of reference values across the entire amplitude range, the invention applies local quality by selecting only the specific subset of reference values that are relevant for the current measurement range. The specification unit determines the appropriate range based on the previous measurement, and the analog-to-digital converter uses only those local reference values, making the digitization process more efficient and targeted
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive comparison of measurement signal with full set of reference values is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The digitization process is segmented into two functional parts: the specification unit that determines the range of reference values based on previous measurements, and the analog-to-digital converter that performs digitization using only the specified subset of reference values. This segmentation divides the complex task of comprehensive comparison into a simpler process of range determination followed by targeted digitization, reducing overall device complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for determining position, length, or angle, comprising a first part with a coding and a second part with a readout device, as well as at least one analog-to-digital converter and an evaluation unit for determining the relative position between the first and second parts. Furthermore, a specification unit is provided and configured to generate a specification signal, based on a previously measured output value of the measurement signal to be digitized, which indicates a range of reference values to be used for the subsequent digitization of the measurement signal, and to output it to the analog-to-digital converter.The analog-to-digital converter is designed to digitize the at least one measurement signal, at least in a first step, in particular completely, solely based on reference values that lie between a lower limit and an upper limit of the range for reference values to be used for the subsequent digitization of the measurement signal. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method.