RC Oscillator Digital Signal Generation for Infrared Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional temperature sensing devices with thermistor bolometers face challenges such as increased circuit fabrication costs, calibration complexity, and limited frame rates due to the need for analog-to-digital conversion and slow thermal response, which restricts scanning speed and infrared thermal image sensing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A sensing device that employs a resistor-capacitor (RC) oscillator to directly generate digital signals from thermistor bolometers, allowing for improved sensing resolution and high-speed target measurement by converting temperature changes into digital signals without the need for additional converters and reducing thermal response time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If analog-to-digital converters are used to convert voltage/current signals to digital signals, then digital signal processing is enabled, but circuit fabrication cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the analog-to-digital converter from the circuit by directly generating digital signals through RC oscillators, thereby eliminating the costly conversion stage while preserving digital signal processing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electronic analog-to-digital conversion mechanism with a direct digital signal generation mechanism using RC oscillators, substituting a complex conversion system with a simpler oscillation-based digital output system
2Measurement precision
If multiple digital-to-analog converters are used to calibrate non-uniform resistance, then calibration accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for multiple digital-to-analog converters by directly generating digital signals that inherently account for resistance variations, eliminating the calibration hardware while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The RC oscillators self-adjust to the non-uniform resistance characteristics of each thermistor bolometer, with each oscillator automatically calibrating itself through its natural frequency response without requiring external calibration converters
3Measurement precision
If thermal response time is extended to reach steady value, then measurement accuracy is improved, but frame rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic RC oscillation to continuously sample and generate digital signals during the thermal response process, enabling multiple measurements to be taken during the thermal transient period rather than waiting for steady state, thereby increasing frame rate while maintaining accuracy through temporal sampling
Solution Approach 2:
The RC oscillators continuously generate digital signals throughout the thermal response period, maintaining useful measurement action continuously rather than pausing to wait for thermal steady state, thereby enabling higher frame rates without sacrificing measurement quality
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 solution enhances sensing resolution and speed, reducing costs and calibration complexity while enabling faster frame rates and improved thermal image capture capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of infrared thermosensitive elements has a resistance value which changes with the temperature of the infrared thermosensitive element and generates a sensing voltage corresponding to the resistance value
Implementation Method 2
Each of the plurality of RC oscillators generates a digital sensing signal according to the corresponding sensing value to indicate the temperature of the corresponding infrared thermosensitive element
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing device is provided. The sensing device includes a plurality of infrared thermosensitive elements and a plurality of resistor-capacitor (RC) oscillators. The plurality of infrared thermosensitive elements are arranged in an array. Each of the plurality of infrared thermosensitive elements has a resistance value which changes with a temperature of the infrared thermosensitive element by absorbing infrared radiation and generates a sensing voltage corresponding to the resistance value. The plurality of RC oscillators are coupled to the plurality of infrared thermosensitive elements to receive the corresponding sensing values, respectively. Each of the plurality of RC oscillators generates a digital sensing signal according to the corresponding sensing value to indicate the temperature of the corresponding infrared thermosensitive element. Each of the plurality of RC oscillators is disposed under the corresponding infrared thermosensitive element.