Sensor Power Supply Ground Offset Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In modern sensor systems, particularly in vehicles, energy supply units with different ground references can cause temporary voltage fluctuations, leading to incomplete or incorrect measured values when switching between redundant power supplies, affecting the reliability of sensor data.
Innovation Solution
A measuring system with a primary and redundant power supply unit, where an additional voltage source is used to maintain a stable reference potential, allowing for parallel reading and monitoring of sensors despite mass offsets, and enabling reliable data acquisition through a diagonal energy supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant power supply units with different ground references are used to improve system reliability, then operational reliability is improved, but voltage fluctuations and ground offsets occur causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
An additional voltage source is introduced as an intermediary element between the measuring sensor and the first power supply unit. This voltage source compensates for ground offsets by providing an adjustable counter-voltage, thereby mediating the electrical potential difference between the two power supply units with different ground references. The measuring sensor can thus operate reliably under both power supply units without measurement errors caused by ground potential differences.
Solution Approach 2:
The additional voltage source dynamically adjusts its output voltage parameter to compensate for ground offsets. By changing the voltage parameter in response to detected ground potential differences, the system maintains stable measurement conditions despite switching between power supply units with different ground references, thus preserving measurement precision while enabling redundant power supply operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ground offsets between power supply units are allowed to occur, then system flexibility and independence of power supply units are improved, but negative voltages occur preventing sensor voltage detection
Solution Approach 1:
The additional voltage source is configured to preemptively counteract ground offsets before they cause harmful effects. By detecting the ground potential difference between the two power supply units and applying an opposing voltage in advance, the system prevents negative voltages from occurring at the measuring sensor, thus ensuring continuous reliable sensor data acquisition while maintaining the flexibility of independent power supply units.
3Reliability
If switching between redundant power supply units is implemented, then system fault tolerance is improved, but dead time occurs during transition causing data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by having the additional voltage source ready to compensate for ground offsets before the actual power supply unit switching occurs. This preparatory configuration allows for seamless transition between redundant power supply units without dead time, as the voltage compensation is already in place to handle the ground reference change, thereby maintaining continuous sensor operation and eliminating data loss during transitions.
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 approach ensures reliable sensor data acquisition, increases operational reliability, and simplifies error detection, particularly beneficial for automated and autonomous driving by preventing negative voltage effects and reducing dead time in transition to redundancy mode.
Implementation Method 1
the first power supply unit has an additional voltage source, wherein the second terminal of the measuring sensor is electrically connected to the first ground potential via the additional voltage source
Data Source
Figure 2
AI summary
The approach presented here relates to a measurement system (100) for acquiring a physical parameter. The measurement system (100) comprises a measuring sensor (105) for acquiring the physical parameter, which has a first (A), second (B), and at least a third terminal (C). Furthermore, the measurement system (100) comprises a first power supply unit (110) for outputting electrical energy at a first voltage (U1) with respect to a first ground potential (GND1) to the measuring sensor (105) via the first (A) and second terminals (B), and a second power supply unit (115) for outputting electrical energy at a second voltage (U2) with respect to a second ground potential (GND2) to the measuring sensor (105) via the third (C) and second terminals (B) or a fourth terminal (D). The first ground potential (GND1) may differ, at least temporarily, from the second ground potential (GND2).The first power supply unit (110) includes an additional voltage source (140) via which the second terminal (B) is electrically connected to the first ground potential (GND1).