Resolver Angle Verification Using Switch Matrix Signal Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Resolver circuits in certain applications cannot determine position accurately beyond a 90° range without knowing the quadrant, leading to measurement inaccuracies due to complex synchronization requirements and potential errors in DAC channels.

Innovation Solution

A novel configuration using an isolator and switch matrix simulates variable angle positions at the resolver secondary interface, eliminating synchronization issues by mimicking exact angles through signal polarity and short conditions, allowing for high-accuracy testing with a reduced number of angle measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a multiplexer is used to sample signals successively, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to determine position beyond 90° range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal sampling system complexityVSAvoidresolver position measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a signal injection circuit as an intermediary device that injects test signals into the resolver secondary coils. This mediator enables the resolver interface circuit to be tested without requiring actual mechanical rotation of the resolver, thereby simplifying the testing apparatus while maintaining measurement accuracy across all quadrants through electrical signal simulation rather than physical positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates electrical copies of resolver output signals by injecting synthesized sine and cosine test signals into the secondary coils. These copied signals replicate what the resolver would produce at specific angular positions, allowing the interface circuit to be verified for full 360° operation without physically rotating the resolver through all positions, thus maintaining measurement precision while reducing testing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If simultaneous monitoring of excitation and output signals is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to synchronization requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidsignal synchronization system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The signal injection circuit serves as an intermediary that eliminates the need for complex synchronization between excitation and output signal monitoring. By injecting test signals directly into the secondary coils with known phase relationships, the system can verify interface circuit functionality without requiring simultaneous sampling and synchronization of multiple signals, thus maintaining measurement precision while reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the signal injection circuit to generate test signals with predetermined phase relationships before actual testing begins. The sine and cosine test signals are prepared in advance with correct 90° phase separation, eliminating the need for real-time synchronization during the testing process, thereby maintaining accuracy while simplifying the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If DAC channels are used to generate test signals, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to potential DAC errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest signal generation flexibilityVSAvoidtest signal accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the critical signal generation function from the DAC channels and relocates it to a dedicated signal injection circuit. This separation removes the potential DAC errors from the test signal generation path while maintaining the adaptability to generate various test signals. The signal injection circuit uses analog signal synthesis methods that are less susceptible to quantization errors, thereby improving measurement precision while preserving testing versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 approach simplifies testing by reducing synchronization complexities and measurement errors, ensuring high accuracy and cost-effectiveness in resolver angle verification.

Implementation Method 1

a switching matrix comprising an excitation input connected to the excitation signal output, a first output connected to the sine signal input, and a second output connected to the cosine signal input, wherein the switching matrix further comprises a set of switches configured to route an excitation signal from the resolver circuit to simulate a sine and cosine signal output corresponding to a specified angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal routing through switching matrix:

Implementation Method 2

an isolator connected between the excitation signal output and the excitation input of the switching matrix

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical isolation:

Data Source

PatentEP4253914B1Standalone resolver angle verification
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP
  • EP4253914B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4253914B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4253914B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for testing a resolver circuit is provided. Aspects include a resolver circuit (202) including an excitation signal output, a sine signal input, and a cosine signal input, a switching matrix (204) comprising an excitation input connected to the excitation signal output, a first output connected to the sine signal input, and a second output connected to the cosine signal input, wherein the switching matrix further includes a set of switches configured to route an excitation signal from the resolver circuit to mimic a sine and cosine signal output corresponding to a specified angle for a resolver sensor, a controller (208) configured to operate the resolver circuit to output an excitation signal, determine an angle value based on a sine signal received and a cosine signal received from the switching matrix, and compare the angle value to the specified angle to determine a fault condition in the resolver circuit.