Rotary Position Sensor Signal Swapping for Mismatch Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Position sensor systems for detecting rotary movement face challenges in accurately detecting gain, offset, and phase mismatches, especially at high speeds, due to sequential processing of signals which leads to errors and increased complexity with additional signal wires and processing units.
Innovation Solution
A position sensor system with two signal processing units that swap processing responsibilities between sensor outputs, allowing for alternating processing and detection of mismatches as ripples, enabling fast error detection and compensation of errors through averaging and derivative analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sequential processing of sensor signals is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to gain, offset, and phase mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic swapping of signal processing units between sensor outputs. The first and second signal processing units alternately process the first and second sensor signals, creating a time-varying processing architecture that enables error detection while maintaining system simplicity. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to detect gain, offset, and phase mismatches by comparing results from different processing units without requiring permanently dedicated processing paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic swapping of signal processing units at defined swap points during operation. The control unit alternates which processing unit handles which sensor signal in regular intervals, creating a periodic measurement pattern. This periodic action enables systematic detection of processing unit mismatches by observing variations that occur at swap transitions, allowing precision improvement through structured temporal variation rather than static configuration.
2Measurement precision
If parallel processing with dedicated signal processing units is used, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity increases due to additional processing units and signal wires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes signal processing units universal by enabling each unit to process either the first or second sensor signal at different times. Rather than dedicating specific processing units to specific sensor outputs, the system designs processing units that can handle both sensor signals through the swapping mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of processing units needed while maintaining the ability to detect mismatches, as each unit serves multiple roles across different time periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own signal processing units to detect errors in each other through the swapping mechanism. When processing units alternate handling different sensor signals, any mismatches in the processing units themselves manifest as detectable variations in the output signals at swap points. This self-diagnostic capability allows the system to identify and compensate for its own processing errors without requiring external calibration equipment or additional dedicated error detection hardware.
3Device complexity
If sequential processing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates at high speeds due to position changes between measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic swapping of signal processing units between sensor outputs. The first and second signal processing units alternately process the first and second sensor signals, creating a time-varying processing architecture that enables error detection while maintaining system simplicity. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to detect gain, offset, and phase mismatches by comparing results from different processing units without requiring permanently dedicated processing paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic swapping of signal processing units at defined swap points during operation. The control unit alternates which processing unit handles which sensor signal in regular intervals, creating a periodic measurement pattern. This periodic action enables systematic detection of processing unit mismatches by observing variations that occur at swap transitions, allowing precision improvement through structured temporal variation rather than static configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary movement position sensor is presented that includes a first sensor output, a second sensor output, a first signal processing unit, a second signal processing unit, a first system output providing the output of the first signal processing unit or of the second signal processing unit, and a second system output providing the output of the second signal processing unit or of the first signal processing unit. A swapping unit that swaps the first signal processing unit between the first sensor output and first system output to the second sensor output and second system output and simultaneously swaps the second signal processing unit from the second sensor output and second system output to the first sensor output and first system output and vice versa. A method for detecting errors in a position sensor system is also presented.