Reconfigurable Sensor Converter for Resistive and Capacitive Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IoT systems require multiple digital converters for resistive and capacitive sensors, leading to increased size, power consumption, and limited application range due to individual sensor front-ends, which also suffer from low resolution and parasitic capacitance interference.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable digital converter that processes signals from both resistive and capacitive sensors using a single front-end, employing tri-state buffers, inverse voltage controllers, and zero temperature coefficient resistors and capacitors to generate and scale clock signals, effectively countering parasitic capacitance and temperature variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual digital converters are used for each sensor type, then sensing accuracy is maintained, but device size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal digital converter that can process both resistive and capacitive sensor signals through a single device. The converter uses reconfigurable circuitry that can be dynamically adjusted to handle different sensor types, eliminating the need for separate dedicated converters for each sensor type while maintaining accurate measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic reconfiguration of the converter circuitry based on the connected sensor type. The system can switch between different measurement modes and circuit configurations in real-time, allowing a single device to adapt its behavior to match the requirements of either resistive or capacitive sensors, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If individual digital converters are used for each sensor type, then sensing accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal digital converter consolidates multiple dedicated converters into a single device that serves both resistive and capacitive sensors. This consolidation reduces the total power consumption by eliminating redundant circuitry and shared resources, while maintaining the measurement precision required for different sensor types through dynamic reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically activates or deactivates specific circuit components based on the connected sensor type. When processing resistive sensors, capacitive measurement circuits are deactivated and vice versa, reducing power consumption by ensuring only necessary circuits are active at any given time while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Device complexity
If a single digital converter is used for multiple sensor types, then device size and power consumption are reduced, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The digital converter incorporates dynamic reconfiguration capabilities that allow it to adapt its internal circuit topology and measurement parameters based on the connected sensor type. This dynamic adaptation enables the single device to maintain high versatility and compatibility with different sensor types while keeping the overall device size compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its operational parameters such as measurement range, sampling frequency, and circuit configuration based on the detected sensor type. This parameter adaptation allows the single digital converter to effectively handle diverse sensor types with varying characteristics, maintaining adaptability while reducing device complexity.
4Device complexity
If fixed-range digital converters are used, then circuit design is simplified, but application range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The digital converter uses dynamic range adjustment capabilities that allow it to adapt to different sensor nominal values and measurement ranges. The circuit can switch between different gain settings, resolution modes, and measurement configurations based on the connected sensor, enabling wide application coverage while maintaining relatively simple base circuit design.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital converter and a controlling method are disclosed. The digital converter includes a sensing oscillator including a plurality of tri-state buffers configured to generate a sensing clock period signal corresponding to a change value of at least one of a resistive sensor and a capacitive sensor, a reference oscillator configured to generate a predetermined fixed clock period signal, a processor configured to change a connection state of the plurality of tri-state buffers, a frequency divider configured to scale up the generated sensing clock period signal based on a predetermined value; and a counter configured to count the scaled up sensing clock period signal based on the generated fixed clock cycle signal and output a counted digital value.