Sensor Dongle Calibration Memory for Passive Sensor Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems require sensor-by-sensor calibration, necessitating the recording and storage of device-specific calibration coefficients, which can be complex and inefficient, especially for passive sensors without active electronics, where encoding calibration data is challenging and may affect sensor sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A dongle system that includes a pass-through signal carrier and non-volatile memory, allowing calibration data to be stored and communicated separately from the sensor, enabling correct calibration coefficients to be applied without modifying the flight software or sensor hardware, and ensuring accurate calibration without reprogramming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If calibration data is stored in flight software, then calibration coefficients can be applied to sensors, but software generation and certification complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts calibration data from the flight software and stores it in a separate non-volatile memory device (dongle). This separation allows the flight software to remain generic and certified, while calibration-specific data is housed externally in the dongle, reducing software complexity and certification burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The dongle acts as an intermediary between the sensor and the flight software. It contains the calibration data and interfaces with the flight software through a standardized interface, mediating the calibration application process without requiring the flight software to contain sensor-specific calibration information.
2Measurement precision
If calibration data is embedded in each sensor, then correct calibration can be applied, but passive sensors cannot accommodate active electronics for data storage
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into three separate components: the passive sensor element, the dongle containing calibration data, and the flight software. This segmentation allows the passive sensor to remain simple and sensor-specific calibration to be achieved without embedding active electronics in the sensor itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The dongle serves as an intermediary that bridges the passive sensor and the flight software. It contains the calibration data that would otherwise need to be embedded in the sensor or stored in the flight software, enabling calibration precision without modifying the passive sensor hardware.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors require individual calibration, then accurate measurements are achieved, but calibration data management becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The dongle provides a universal interface and data storage solution that can accommodate multiple different sensors. Each dongle is sensor-specific, but the interface standard allows the flight software to handle multiple sensor types uniformly, improving calibration data management efficiency while maintaining individual sensor accuracy.
4Ease of repair
If sensor replacement occurs in the field, then sensor failures are addressed, but calibration data may become mismatched with the new sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The dongle contains sensor-specific calibration data that automatically matches the sensor it is paired with. When a sensor is replaced, its corresponding dongle is also replaced, ensuring that the calibration data self-matches with the new sensor without requiring manual configuration or software updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration data is pre-loaded into the dongle during manufacturing, paired with the specific sensor. This preliminary association ensures that when the sensor-donge pair is installed or replaced, the correct calibration data is already in place, eliminating calibration matching issues during field replacement.
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
This solution simplifies the calibration process by decoupling sensor-specific calibration from software generation and certification, allowing for calibration-free installation and reducing the complexity of sensor replacement, while maintaining the passive nature of the sensors and ensuring safety in aircraft fuel tank environments.
Implementation Method 1
the first connection can be an optical connection and wherein the pass-through signal carrier includes an optical pathway configured to allow optical signals to pass therethrough. In certain embodiments, the optical pathway can be an optical fiber.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a dongle (100) for a sensor system (200) can include a pass-through signal carrier (101) configured to allow signals from a sensor (103) discretely associated with the dongle (100) to pass through the dongle (100) to a data concentrator (105) via a first connection (107), and a non-volatile memory (109) configured to connect to the data concentrator (105) via a second connection (111). The nonvolatile memory (109) can include calibration data for the sensor (103) that is associated with the dongle (100).