Programmable Timing Generator for Radiation Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional programmable phase generators for infrared detectors consume significantly more power than fixed phase generators, especially when dealing with multiple operating modes, due to their complex electronic components and high resource requirements.
Innovation Solution
A simplified programmable phase generator design that eliminates data memory, status registers, analog-digital converters, and wired operators, using a microcode interpreter with a minimal set of instructions (up to 7) to generate phase shapes, allowing for efficient control of phase outputs and synchronization, while maintaining low power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a programmable phase generator is used to control multiple operating modes of an infrared detector, then the adaptability and versatility of the detector is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly compared to fixed phase generators
Solution Approach 1:
The phase generator is divided into separate functional modules: a microcode storage unit containing instruction sets for different operating modes, a microcode execution unit that interprets these instructions, and phase output units that generate the actual control signals. This segmentation allows the system to implement multiple operating modes through software instructions rather than hardwired logic, reducing the need for complex electronic components while maintaining versatility across 18 or more operating modes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex hardwired electronic logic circuits with a microcode-based software control system. Instead of using dedicated electronic components for each operating mode, the system uses a simplified execution unit that interprets microcode instructions stored in memory. This substitution of mechanical/electronic complexity with software control achieves multiple operating modes with significantly reduced power consumption, as the execution unit only needs basic interpretation capabilities rather than complex wired logic for each mode
2Use of energy by moving object
If a fixed phase generator is used, then the power consumption is low, but the ability to adapt to different operating modes and optimize phase shapes after detector production is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The phase generator transitions from a static fixed configuration to a dynamic programmable system. The microcode storage unit can be programmed with different instruction sets corresponding to various operating modes, and the execution unit dynamically interprets and executes these instructions during operation. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt phase shapes after detector production by loading appropriate microcode, enabling optimization based on measured parasitic elements and actual detector characteristics while maintaining low power consumption through the simplicity of the execution unit
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex electronic components are integrated into the phase generator to handle multiple operating modes, then the functionality is improved, but the device complexity and consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The microcode execution unit is designed as a universal controller that can handle multiple operating modes through a single set of basic interpretation instructions. Rather than implementing separate dedicated circuits for each of the 18 operating modes, the execution unit universally interprets microcode instructions that define different phase patterns. This multi-functionality is achieved through software instructions rather than hardware complexity, allowing one execution unit to perform the work of many specialized circuits would require
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses microcode instructions as a copyable representation of phase generation logic. Instead of hardwiring complex logic for each operating mode, the system stores instruction sets that can be copied and executed. The microcode acts as a software copy of the control logic, allowing the same execution unit to generate different phase patterns by simply loading different instruction sets, thereby avoiding the need for complex electronic components for each mode
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a phase generator for a detector, the generator incorporating at least one elementary machine (14) for interpreting a microcode stored in a register (12), each elementary machine (14) comprising: at least one control input (GPI_0, GPI_1) comprising a detector (19) of changes in logic level; at least one phase output (GPO_0-GPO_9) comprising a controlled switch (20), allowing the logic level of the phase output (GPO_0-GPO_9) to be defined, and a controlled inverter (21) allowing the logic level of the phase output (GPO_0-GPO_9) to be inverted; at least one clock signal (MCK, Clk1) associated with a counter (18); and a module (15) for loading instructions (Inst) and arguments (Arg) stored in the register (12), the instructions (Inst) being coded on 3 bits.