Sensor Output Pulse Encoding for Higher Information Density
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor technologies are limited in conveying information about a target object and its environment, as they typically use serial communication to send data in the form of a stream of pulses, which can only convey a limited amount of data effectively.
Innovation Solution
The use of a signal pulse stream with varying pulse widths and amplitudes to convey information, where each pulse width or amplitude represents a logic value, allowing for a formatted output signal that can encode multiple data bits or device states, enabling the detection of features and conditions such as airgap properties and sensor states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a stream of pulses is used to convey sensor data, then data transmission is achieved, but the amount of information conveyed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying pulse width and amplitude to encode multiple data bits. Each pulse can represent multiple logic values through different width combinations (e.g., narrow, medium, wide pulses representing 0, 1, 2 respectively), enabling a single pulse stream to convey more information than traditional binary pulse streams without increasing transmission complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds another dimension to pulse encoding by incorporating both width and amplitude variations. This multi-dimensional encoding approach allows the system to convey more information per pulse by combining width-based logic values with amplitude-based data bits, effectively increasing information density in the pulse stream
2Loss of information
If pulse width variation is used to code information, then more data can be conveyed, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces threshold-based detection as an intermediary mechanism to convert continuous pulse width variations into discrete logic values. By using predefined thresholds (e.g., comparing pulse width against reference values to determine logic 0, 1, or 2), the system reduces the impact of measurement noise and improves robustness while maintaining high data transmission capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses distinct, well-separated pulse width ranges for different logic values, creating excessive differentiation between states. This ensures that even with measurement variations, the system can reliably distinguish between different logic values, maintaining measurement precision while conveying more data
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for providing information about a target based on pulse widths. The information can be provided in a formatted output signal which uses a pulse width protocol to code information by varying amplitudes and widths of successive pulses in an output signal pulse train portion. The method includes detecting a first feature of the target and in response to detecting the first feature, generating an output signal pulse train portion comprising two or more pulses with at least two of the pulses having different amplitudes and each of the two or more pulses having a width corresponding to a logic value. The widths of the two or more pulses in the output signal pulse train portion can be measured in response to the detected first feature reaching a first amplitude threshold, whereby the widths can correspond to different logic values.