Self Temperature-Compensated Event Timer Using Homogeneous Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high precision event timers are sensitive to temperature changes due to differences in temperature characteristics among their components, leading to inaccuracies in time measurement, and require complex temperature control systems, making it challenging to manufacture compact and reliable devices.
Innovation Solution
A self temperature-compensated high precision event timer is designed with identical structures and components for both the measurement and reference signal circuits, using a digital signal processing method to minimize temperature effects and allow for real-time zero point adjustment without stopping the apparatus, utilizing a measurement signal delay unit, integrator, analog-digital converter, and frequency multiplier to compute precision event time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If different components are used in measurement and reference signal circuits, then device functionality is achieved, but temperature characteristics differ causing measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by using identical components (same model numbers, same manufacturing batches) in both the measurement signal circuit and reference signal circuit. This ensures that both circuits have the same temperature characteristics, causing temperature-induced time changes to occur equally in both circuits and thus cancel out in the differential measurement, resolving the temperature sensitivity issue while maintaining measurement accuracy
2Temperature
If complex temperature control systems are added, then temperature stability is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing a system where the reference signal circuit automatically compensates for temperature effects on the measurement signal circuit. The system uses itself (the reference circuit with identical temperature characteristics) to correct the measurement errors, eliminating the need for external temperature control systems, heaters, or complex temperature management mechanisms
3Measurement precision
If identical structures and components are used in measurement and reference circuits, then temperature effects are minimized, but device complexity increases due to duplicated circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the reference signal circuit to serve multiple functions: it provides the reference signal for time measurement, acts as a temperature compensation reference, and enables automatic error correction. This multi-functional design justifies the duplicated circuit structure by making the reference circuit perform both reference and compensation roles simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention makes it possible to measure a precision event time in such a way to make a reference data in accordance with a standard time reference frequency signal and to make a measurement data by using an apparatus with the same structure as a reference data with respect to a signal to be measured and to compare the measurement data with a reference data, whereby temperature effects can be minimized by making the time changes due to temperature changes occurring between two apparatuses happen equally, by providing the same structure and parts to a reference signal circuit apparatus for an event time measurement and a signal circuit apparatus to be measured, and the zero point adjustment is performed during the real time operation, so the system is not needed to stop.