Sensor Chip Look-Up Table Engine for Signal Linearization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor chips require full mask redesigns for adapting to new variants, which is time-consuming and costly, limiting the flexibility in processing sensor signals for different applications.
Innovation Solution
A sensor chip with an integrated sensing element, on-chip memory for storing look-up table configurations, and a look-up table engine that allows for interpolation-based processing of sensor signals, enabling on-chip linearization and temperature compensation without the need for a complex arithmetic logic unit, and allowing changes in look-up tables and processing sequences without full mask redesigns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If full mask redesign is conducted for adapting sensor chip to new variants, then processing capability for new applications is improved, but development time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing functionality into separate look-up table configurations that can be independently selected and programmed into the on-chip memory. Instead of redesigning the entire processing architecture, only the specific look-up table data needs to be changed, allowing rapid adaptation to new sensor variants without full mask redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pre-defined look-up table configurations that can be copied into the on-chip memory for different sensor variants. These configurations represent processed sensor data in a standardized format that can be reused across multiple applications, eliminating the need to recreate processing logic for each new variant.
2Adaptability or versatility
If full mask redesign is conducted for adapting sensor chip to new variants, then processing capability for new applications is improved, but development cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing functionality into separate look-up table configurations that can be independently selected and programmed into the on-chip memory. Instead of redesigning the entire processing architecture, only the specific look-up table data needs to be changed, allowing rapid adaptation to new sensor variants without full mask redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal processing architecture that can handle multiple sensor variants through a single chip design. The on-chip memory stores various look-up table configurations that can be programmed to match different sensor characteristics, making the same physical chip adaptable to multiple applications without requiring different hardware masks for each variant.
3Measurement precision
If complex arithmetic logic unit is used for linearization and temperature compensation, then processing accuracy is improved, but chip size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs complex calculations in advance and stores the results in look-up tables. During actual sensor operation, the system simply retrieves pre-computed values from memory rather than performing real-time arithmetic operations. This preliminary computation approach achieves high processing accuracy while keeping the on-chip processing logic simple and compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex arithmetic logic with a memory-based retrieval system. Instead of using arithmetic logic units to perform calculations, the system substitutes mathematical computation with direct memory access and interpolation, significantly reducing chip complexity while maintaining processing accuracy.
4Adaptability or versatility
If more look-up table configurations are stored in on-chip memory, then adaptability to different applications is improved, but memory space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes memory usage by storing look-up table configurations with varying levels of detail appropriate to each specific application. Not all dimensions require the same number of sampling points - the system adapts the resolution of each look-up table to the local requirements of that particular sensor variant, maximizing adaptability while minimizing total memory consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor chip comprises a sensing element (1) providing a sensor signal, an on-chip memory (3), a configuration of a look up table (4) of dimension N stored in the on-chip memory (3) for assigning an output value to a combination of N input values, and a look up table engine (4) for determining a corresponding output value in response to receiving a memory address for the look up table configuration and in response to receiving a sensor value derived from the sensor signal as one of the N input values.