Sensor Assembly Multiplexing for Refresh Rate and Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor assemblies face challenges in quickly obtaining and processing readings from multiple analog sensors due to limitations in refresh rate and external interference compensation.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a microcontroller that processes signals from multiple transducers, utilizing shared output channels to compensate for external effects and optimize refresh rate by selectively measuring and calibrating data from each transducer, allowing for simultaneous reading and accurate variable calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple analog sensors are read consecutively using individual analog-to-digital converters, then each sensor can be processed independently, but the overall refresh rate is slow and processing time is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple transducer outputs are combined and shared on a common output channel. The microcontroller multiplexes the reading of multiple transducers through this shared channel, allowing simultaneous measurement capability while reducing the number of separate conversion operations needed, thereby increasing refresh rate and reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
A single microcontroller with a shared output channel performs the function of multiple individual analog-to-digital converters. This universal approach allows one device to handle multiple transducers, improving productivity by eliminating the need for separate conversion hardware for each sensor while reducing overall processing time.
2Productivity
If transducer outputs are read simultaneously to increase refresh rate, then processing time is reduced, but external interference and environmental effects cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
A compensation transducer is introduced as an intermediary element that measures external interference and environmental effects separately. Its output is processed alongside the primary transducer outputs, allowing the microcontroller to calculate and remove interference effects from the measurements, thereby maintaining high accuracy even with simultaneous reading of multiple transducers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures multiple parameters including primary transducer outputs and compensation transducer outputs that detect environmental variations. By monitoring these additional parameters and using them to adjust the interpretation of primary measurements, the system maintains measurement precision while achieving high refresh rates through simultaneous reading.
3Ease of operation
If separate output channels are used for each transducer to simplify reading, then processing is straightforward, but hardware complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple transducer output channels are merged into a single shared output channel. The microcontroller handles the complexity of multiplexing and signal management, simplifying the hardware architecture by reducing the number of separate conversion paths while maintaining the ability to read all transducers efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcontroller performs self-service by internally managing the multiplexing and conversion of multiple transducer signals through a shared channel. This eliminates the need for external dedicated conversion hardware for each transducer, reducing overall device complexity while keeping the reading process automated and simple.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is the sensor assembly and method for rapidly obtaining accurate readings of a variable. The sensor assembly comprises a plurality of sensors which are connected to a microcontroller that processes the signals of the individual transducers to the microcontroller. The microcontroller contains software that maximizes the refresh rate and/or minimizes the time it takes to process the outputs of each of the transducers. The microcontroller that is coupled to the sensor assembly selectively measures the outputs of each transducer so as to speed up the refresh rate of the sensor.