Rapid Sensing Estimation Circuit for High-Resolution Short Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light sensors face inefficiencies in sensing signal processing, particularly when external signals change slowly, leading to increased time and cost due to limited counter resolution and incomplete integration within the set time.
Innovation Solution
A rapid sensing value estimation circuit and method that includes a first sensing unit, integration sensing circuit, and rapid estimation circuit, utilizing an operational amplifier, comparator, and counters to generate an integration voltage and estimate the sensing result in advance, improving resolution and reducing integration time and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the integration sensing circuit waits for the complete integration time to obtain the digital result, then the counting resolution is sufficient, but the time cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary counting actions during the integration period using a high-frequency clock signal to predict the final count value before the integration time expires. The estimation circuit calculates the projected count value based on the current counting rate and remaining integration time, allowing early determination of the sensing result without waiting for the complete integration period.
2Measurement precision
If a high-frequency clock signal is used for counting, then the counting resolution improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the counting function into two independent modules: a first counter that counts the trigger reset signal from the integration circuit, and a second counter that counts the high-frequency clock signal. This segmentation allows each counter to operate independently with optimized parameters, achieving high resolution without requiring a single complex high-speed counter.
Solution Approach 2:
The estimation circuit acts as an intermediary that processes the outputs from both counters and calculates the projected count value. This intermediary component bridges the gap between the low-frequency trigger counting and high-frequency clock counting, combining their information to achieve high-resolution measurement without directly coupling the two counting mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the external signals change slowly, then the sensing stability improves, but the integration time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
For slowly changing signals, the estimation circuit performs preliminary calculations during the integration period to predict when the integration voltage will reach the reference voltage. This allows the system to determine the final count value in advance without waiting for the complete integration time, maintaining measurement accuracy for stable signals while reducing the effective measurement duration.
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
The solution enables accurate estimation of sensing results in advance, enhancing signal resolution and reducing integration time, while maintaining the linearity of the original architecture, particularly for weaker input signals.
Implementation Method 1
a first input terminal of the operational amplifier is electrically connected to the first sensing unit, and connected to an output terminal of the operational amplifier through an integration capacitor
Implementation Method 2
A first input terminal of the comparator is electrically connected to the integration node, and a second input terminal of the comparator is electrically connected to a first reference voltage. In response to the integration voltage of the integration node exceeding the first reference voltage, the comparator is configured to generate a trigger reset signal
Data Source
AI summary
A rapid sensing value estimation circuit and a method thereof are provided. The circuit includes a first sensing unit, an integration sensing circuit and a rapid estimation circuit. The rapid estimation circuit includes a clock generator, a second counter, a first digital comparator, an arithmetic module and a remainder calculation module. The clock generator generates a clock signal with a first frequency. The second counter counts the clock signal within the integration time to generate a second count value. The first digital comparator determines whether the second count value exceeds a first predetermined count value when the first count value increases. The arithmetic module calculates an estimated count value result and a remainder, and the remainder calculation module can further calculate and estimate values of decimal places of this signal based on the remainder.