Programmable Sensor Electrode Interface Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Analyte sensing devices require additional electrodes, amplifiers, and digital to analog converters to enhance sensing capabilities, leading to increased footprint and cost.
Innovation Solution
A programmable analog subsystem with reconfigurable electrode interfaces that can autonomously change operating modes without waking up the CPU, allowing for efficient power management and multitask processing by connecting different electrodes in various configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional electrodes, amplifiers, guard electrode drivers, and DACs are added to enhance sensing capability, then sensing capability is improved, but footprint and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling a single electrode interface to serve multiple purposes through reconfigurability. The same interface can be dynamically assigned to different electrodes (working electrode, reference electrode, guard electrode) and operate in different modes (sensing, reference, guard) based on operational needs, eliminating the requirement for separate dedicated interfaces for each electrode type and thereby reducing the overall footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by introducing reconfigurability to the electrode interface. The interface can dynamically switch between different connections and operational states depending on the sensing task requirements. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt to different sensing scenarios without requiring physical reconfiguration or additional hardware, thus reducing footprint while maintaining enhanced sensing capability.
2Measurement precision
If additional electrodes, amplifiers, guard electrode drivers, and DACs are added to enhance sensing capability, then sensing capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces cost through multi-functionality by making a single electrode interface capable of performing multiple functions. Instead of requiring separate dedicated interfaces for working electrodes, reference electrodes, and guard electrodes, the reconfigurable interface consolidates these functions, thereby reducing the number of components needed and lowering overall device cost while maintaining enhanced sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the electrode interface to change its operational parameters (connection configuration, operational mode) based on the sensing task. This flexibility enables the same hardware to adapt to different sensing requirements without requiring additional specialized components, thus reducing cost while achieving enhanced sensing capability.
3Productivity
If CPU is woken up to process sensor data, then task processing is enabled, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the sensor system to autonomously process its own data without requiring CPU intervention. The reconfigurable electrode interface can independently manage different operational modes and data processing tasks, allowing the sensor to serve itself and reducing the need for frequent CPU wake-ups, thereby lowering power consumption while maintaining task processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by maintaining low-power operational modes that continue to process sensor data without requiring full CPU activation. The reconfigurable interface can sustain essential sensing and preliminary processing functions in reduced-power states, ensuring continuous useful action while minimizing power consumption and reducing the frequency of high-power CPU wake-ups.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more computing devices, systems, and/or methods are provided. In an example of the techniques presented herein, a method is provided. The method includes connecting a first programmable electrode interface to one of a first working electrode, a control electrode, a reference electrode, or a guard electrode of an electrochemical cell in a first configuration, and connecting the first programmable electrode interface to a different one of the first working electrode, the control electrode, the reference electrode, or the guard electrode in a second configuration.