Sensor Control via Drive Signal Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing position tracking systems face challenges in efficiently transmitting control data to sensor units within medical devices without adding dedicated hardware, which increases size, cost, and reduces reliability.
Innovation Solution
Modulating control signals onto the drive signals used for position sensing, allowing the existing position-sensing circuitry to extract both position and control information without additional antennas or receivers, enabling smaller, lower-cost, and more reliable sensor units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated hardware (additional antennas and receivers) is added to sensor units for receiving control instructions, then wireless data transmission capability is improved, but device size, cost increase, and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the position sensor perform dual functions: it senses magnetic fields for position determination and simultaneously receives modulated control signals. By using the same sensor coil and processing circuitry for both position sensing and data reception, the system eliminates the need for separate antennas and receivers, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining wireless communication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the position sensing function and control signal reception function into a single integrated system. The control signals are modulated onto the magnetic fields generated by the field generator, allowing the sensor unit to extract both position information and control instructions through the same sensing and processing circuitry
2Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated hardware is added to sensor units for control signal reception, then control data transmission is enabled, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is designed to perform multiple functions using the same hardware components. The position sensor coil and processing circuitry are used both for determining position coordinates and for receiving and demodulating control signals, eliminating the need for additional dedicated hardware and reducing manufacturing costs
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional components are added to sensor units for wireless communication, then data transmission capability is improved, but system reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the existing position sensing components for dual purposes, making the sensor unit more reliable by eliminating additional failure points. By not adding separate antennas, receivers, or other communication-specific components, the system maintains higher reliability while still enabling wireless control signal transmission
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables wireless transmission of control instructions to sensor units, such as those in orthopedic implants and catheters, reducing hardware requirements and improving system reliability while maintaining accurate position tracking.
Implementation Method 1
A field generator generates a field in response to a drive signal
Implementation Method 2
a sensor detects the field in order to determine position coordinates of the sensor and to demodulate the control signal
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for transmitting control instructions to a sensor in a position tracking system includes generating a drive signal for driving a field generator. A control signal including the control instructions is superimposed on the drive signal. The field generator is driven with the drive signal, so as to generate a field to be sensed by the sensor. The field is detected at the sensor in order to determine position coordinates of the sensor and to demodulate the control signal so as to extract the control instructions. A functionality of the sensor is controlled based on the extracted control instructions.