Rewritable Temperature-Control Oscillator for Frequency Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quartz crystal oscillators, such as those described in JP-A-2015-046704, require advanced and complex functional changes like oven temperature control, which are not adequately addressed by current setting switching methods.
Innovation Solution
An oscillator design incorporating a resonator element, temperature control element, microcontroller, and interface circuit, with rewritable temperature control programs via the interface circuit, allowing for customizable temperature control and compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If setting switching method is used for functional changes, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability is insufficient for advanced functions like temperature control calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the temperature control program rewritable and changeable during operation. The microcontroller can load different temperature control programs (first program for first resonator, second program for second resonator) based on operational requirements, allowing the system to adapt to different functional needs without hardware changes. This dynamic reconfigurability resolves the contradiction by enabling high adaptability while maintaining relatively simple control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the control program itself, making it variable and rewritable. By storing multiple temperature control programs with different control algorithms and parameters in memory, and selectively loading them based on which resonator is active, the system achieves functional adaptability without increasing hardware complexity. The program parameters are changed software-based rather than hardware-based.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple temperature control programs are stored in microcontroller memory, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature control functionality into separate, independent programs stored in memory. Each program (first temperature control program, second temperature control program) is designed for a specific resonator type and can be independently managed. This segmentation allows the microcontroller to load only the relevant program segment based on operational mode, reducing the complexity of managing all possible control scenarios simultaneously while maintaining high adaptability.
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
Enables advanced temperature control and compensation capabilities, improving frequency stability and reducing viscous resistance for enhanced vibration characteristics of the resonator element.
Implementation Method 1
reducing viscous resistance for enhanced vibration characteristics of the resonator element
Implementation Method 2
Enables advanced temperature control and compensation capabilities, improving frequency stability
Data Source
AI summary
An oscillator includes a resonator element, a temperature control element that controls a temperature of the resonator element, a microcontroller that stores a temperature control program and controls an operation of the temperature control element based on the temperature control program, and an interface circuit, in which the temperature control program is rewritable via the interface circuit.