Sensor Chip Interface for Analog Data and Digital Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensor systems with analog interfaces lack extended diagnosis and control capabilities, leading to inefficiencies in data retrieval, calibration, and dynamic parameter adaptation, which are essential for advanced applications like automotive and industrial robotics, where functional safety and predictive maintenance are critical.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system with both analog and bidirectional digital signal interfaces between microcontrollers and sensor chips, enabling the transmission of analog measurement data and digital control/diagnosis signals, allowing for dynamic parameter adjustment, simplified calibration, and enhanced diagnostic capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If only an analog interface is used between sensor chip and microcontroller, then the device complexity is reduced, but the diagnostic capability and control opportunity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines analog measurement signal transmission and digital diagnostic/control communication into a single integrated interface between the sensor chip and microcontroller. This merged interface allows simultaneous analog and digital signals to share the same physical connection, reducing the number of separate interfaces while providing both measurement data and extended diagnostic information.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface is designed to serve multiple functions: transmitting analog measurement signals, conveying digital diagnostic information, enabling parameter configuration, and supporting calibration operations. This multi-functional interface eliminates the need for separate dedicated interfaces for each function, reducing overall device complexity while expanding capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If configuration or calibration information is stored in OTP or nonvolatile memory of the sensor chip, then the sensor can retain settings, but the programming process becomes cost-intensive and requires external connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the configuration and calibration data storage function from the sensor chip's internal OTP or nonvolatile memory and relocates it to the microcontroller's memory. This allows the sensor chip to be simpler without internal programming memory, while the microcontroller handles all configuration data storage and management, reducing manufacturing costs and eliminating the need for external programming connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcontroller acts as an intermediary, storing configuration and calibration information in its own memory and transmitting it to the sensor chip via the analog interface when needed. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for expensive OTP memory in the sensor chip and removes the requirement for external programming connections during assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the gain of the sensor is set for full-value input signal, then the ADC input signal range is optimized, but the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates for small input signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic gain adjustment capability where the sensor chip can modify its output signal amplification factor based on the actual input signal magnitude. The sensor monitors the input signal level and automatically adapts the gain to maximize the ADC input signal swing for the current operating condition, thereby maintaining optimal signal-to-noise ratio across varying measurement ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor chip dynamically changes the gain parameter of its output amplifier based on the detected input signal level. For small input signals, the gain is increased to boost the ADC input signal above the noise floor, while for large input signals, the gain is reduced to prevent ADC saturation. This parameter adaptation maintains measurement precision across the full input signal range.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a sensor system, comprising a microcontroller, at least one sensor chip designed to measure a physical quantity, wherein the microcontroller and the sensor chip are coupled to one another via at least one analog signal interface for conveying analog measurement data between the sensor chip and the microcontroller and via a bidirectional digital signal interface for conveying digital secondary information between the sensor chip and the microcontroller.