Self-Tuning Current Transformer for Wide-Range Measurement Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electricity monitoring devices struggle to provide accurate current measurements with fine granularity across a wide range of current values, leading to coarse readings when measuring different conductor capacities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of self-tuning current monitoring devices that adjust the gain of the analog-digital converter (ADC) based on standard deviation and average current readings, using lookup tables (LUTs) to enhance measurement precision and adapt to varying conductor capacities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fixed gain settings are used in ADC, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates across varying current ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic gain adjustment by continuously monitoring the standard deviation of current readings and automatically adjusting the ADC gain setting accordingly. This transforms the static ADC into a dynamic system that adapts its precision characteristics to match the actual current variability, resolving the contradiction between fixed simplicity and variable precision requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the standard deviation of current readings is calculated and used to control the ADC gain setting. This closed-loop feedback ensures that the measurement precision is continuously optimized based on actual operating conditions, achieving high precision without requiring complex manual configuration
2Measurement precision
If high precision measurement is implemented across wide current range, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the gain parameter of the ADC dynamically based on the standard deviation of current readings. By adjusting this key parameter, the system achieves high measurement precision across wide current ranges and different conductor capacities without requiring multiple hardware configurations, thus improving adaptability while maintaining precision
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed resolution ADC is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different current ranges deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically calculating the standard deviation of current readings and selecting the appropriate ADC gain setting without external intervention. This self-service capability enables the device to adapt to different conductor capacities and current ranges autonomously, achieving high versatility while keeping the control system relatively simple
Data Source
AI summary
An electricity usage monitor may include a coupling component to attach the electricity usage monitor to an electrical circuit to monitor electricity usage of the electrical circuit, an analog-digital converter (ADC) configured to convert analog current readings captured by the electricity usage monitor into digital values, a processor operably coupled to the ADC, and a non-transitory, computer-readable medium operably coupled to the processor and comprising instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations may include determining a standard deviation of the digital values, based on the standard deviation, adjusting a gain of the ADC, and transmitting a signal to a server comprising the digital values.