Radiography Power Control Unit Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiography apparatuses face challenges in reducing noise from voltage conversion circuits, which affect image quality, especially due to the susceptibility of radiation sensors to high-frequency radiation noise generated by switching power sources, and existing methods either increase the size of the detector or require strict synchronization of power source and sensor cycles, which may not adequately address noise reduction.
Innovation Solution
A radiography apparatus is designed with a power control unit that switches between voltage output from a voltage conversion circuit and a sub battery, stopping the voltage conversion circuit during image capturing to reduce noise, and using a sub battery to supply power during this phase, thereby minimizing noise interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a switching power source is used to supply voltage to circuit substrates, then power conversion efficiency is improved, but high-frequency radiation noise is generated that increases noise in captured images
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into multiple power sources: a main switching power source for general power supply, a noise-free power source (battery or capacitor) for the radiation sensor, and a noise-free power source for the readout circuit. This segmentation allows each component to be powered appropriately, isolating the radiation sensor from switching noise while maintaining overall system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation sensor and its associated readout circuit are extracted from the main power supply system and connected to dedicated noise-free power sources. This extraction removes the sensor from the noisy switching power source environment, eliminating the harmful radiation noise effect while preserving the benefits of the switching power source for other components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the radiation sensor and source circuit are arranged separately using a partition, then noise influence is reduced, but the size of the radiation image detector increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using physical partitions to separate the radiation sensor from noise sources, the patent uses clean power (intermediary energy) as a mediator to power the sensor and readout circuit. This approach eliminates noise influence through electrical isolation rather than physical separation, avoiding the need for additional space for partitions while maintaining compact detector design.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If strict synchronization of drive cycle and scan timing is implemented, then noise reduction is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful switching noise into a beneficial solution by using a noise-free power source that naturally operates without generating interference. Instead of trying to synchronize with the noise cycle, the system uses a battery or capacitor to power the sensor during the accumulation phase, eliminating the need for complex synchronization while achieving superior noise reduction.
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 configuration effectively reduces noise superimposed on images by stopping the noise-generating voltage conversion circuit during image capturing and using a sub battery to supply power, resulting in improved image quality with reduced noise influence.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage conversion circuit configured to convert an input voltage and output the converted voltage
Implementation Method 2
a first battery configured to output a voltage
Implementation Method 3
a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels that convert radiation into electric signals is arrayed in a two-dimensional matrix
Data Source
AI summary
A radiography apparatus includes a plurality of pixels configured to generate image signals that are based on radiation, a voltage conversion circuit configured to convert an input voltage and output the converted voltage, a first battery configured to output a voltage, and a power control unit configured to supply either of the voltage output by the voltage conversion circuit and the voltage output by the first battery as a source voltage, depending on an operating state of the radiography apparatus.