Sensor Module Signal Processing Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor modules have limited versatility and require multiple circuit structures to handle different output signals, restricting their range of applications and increasing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A sensor module with a signal processing device that converts sensor signals into various formats (voltage, current, digital) using electrically controllable driver stages, allowing for adaptable signal transmission and reducing the number of necessary interface contacts and circuit variants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple circuit structures are used to handle different output signals, then the range of applications is expanded, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single circuit structure that can provide multiple output signal types (analog voltage, analog current, digital voltage) through a signal processing device with selectable output modes. This universal approach allows one circuit to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate circuits, thereby expanding application range while controlling complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple circuit structures are used to handle different output signals, then different signal formats are supported, but the number of interface contacts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The signal processing device serves multiple functions by being capable of outputting different signal types (analog voltage, analog current, digital voltage) through the same interface contacts. This multi-functional design allows a single set of interface contacts to support multiple signal formats, reducing the total number of contacts required compared to having separate dedicated circuits for each signal type.
3Device complexity
If a single circuit structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the range of applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The signal processing device incorporates dynamic configurability, allowing the output signal type to be selected and changed based on application requirements. This dynamic capability enables a single static circuit structure to adapt to different application scenarios, effectively expanding the range of applications without requiring multiple fixed circuit structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the output signal parameters (voltage level, current mode, digital encoding) through the signal processing device to accommodate different application requirements. By allowing parameter changes in the output signal characteristics, a single circuit structure can serve multiple applications that would otherwise require different dedicated circuits.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Sensor module with at least one sensor (2) for detecting and converting a physical quantity into an electrical sensor signal, with an electrical interface (4) configured to provide the sensor signal to a processing device, wherein the electrical interface (4) is associated with a signal processing device (3) which is configured to selectively provide the sensor signal at an interface contact (18, 19) of the interface (4) either as a positive binary voltage signal PNP or as a negative binary voltage signal NPN and/or which is configured to selectively provide the sensor signal at an interface contact (18, 19) of the interface (4) either as an analog voltage signal or as an analog current signal.According to the invention, the signal processing device (3) is designed to provide the sensor signal at the respective interface contact (18, 19) in the form of a digital voltage signal.