Resistive Sensor Reverse Bridge Digital Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Resistive sensors, such as bridge arrangements, often require expensive trimming to ensure accurate differential voltage output, which may not be fully effective when resistance variations occur due to parameters other than the measured property, leading to inaccuracies in measurement.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a resistive sensor, a sensor signal conditioner integrated circuit (SSC), and a reverse bridge that conditions and scales the differential voltage output to match the expected format of a presentation device, allowing for accurate measurement without the need for resistor trimming, using algorithms for digital compensation and calibration to correct for temperature drift and non-linearity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If resistor trimming is performed to ensure accurate differential voltage output, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical resistor trimming (mechanical/manual adjustment) with digital compensation algorithms implemented in software/firmware. The system uses digital signal processing to calculate and apply correction factors that compensate for resistor value deviations, thereby achieving accurate differential voltage output without physical trimming operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resistance parameters of the bridge resistors digitally through compensation algorithms rather than physically trimming them. By measuring actual resistor values and calculating correction factors, the system dynamically adjusts the differential voltage calculation to account for parameter variations, eliminating the need for precise physical trimming.
2Measurement precision
If resistor trimming is performed to ensure accurate differential voltage output, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive physical trimming operations with cost-effective digital compensation algorithms. Instead of requiring manual or automated trimming equipment and processes, the system uses software-based correction that can be implemented through standard microcontroller firmware, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive digital computation resources (microcontroller CPU cycles and memory) to achieve what would otherwise require expensive physical trimming operations. The digital compensation approach treats the correction algorithm as a disposable software solution that can be easily updated or modified without hardware changes.
3Measurement precision
If resistor trimming is performed to ensure accurate differential voltage output, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability decreases due to resistance variations from non-measured parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously measures the actual differential voltage output and compares it against the expected value based on the measured property. Correction factors are calculated based on this feedback and applied to compensate for resistance variations caused by temperature drift, aging, or other non-measured parameters, thereby maintaining measurement reliability under varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-correction by automatically detecting and compensating for its own resistance variations. The microcontroller continuously monitors the bridge output and applies digital compensation without requiring external calibration or adjustment, enabling the system to maintain accuracy autonomously under varying environmental conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
In an embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes a plurality of resistors arranged as a reverse bridge and configured to convert an input voltage to a scaled output voltage. The scaled output voltage is scaled to a target format based at least in part on a range of the input voltage and a fixed value of the plurality of resistors. The input voltage is generated based at least in part on at least one signal generated by a sensor based at least in part on a measurement of a property of a measurement target. (Fig. 1)