Sensor Self-Calibration via Sensitivity Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor technologies require time-consuming and costly one-time calibration during production, which cannot account for performance shifts due to environmental changes or structural alterations over time, such as temperature, humidity, and external forces.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system that facilitates self-calibration by varying the sensitivity of the sensor device using components like mechanical, sense element, analog circuit, and digital circuit sensitivity components, coupled with a calibration component to measure and adjust output signals, and a force-based offset component to minimize exogenous stimuli effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If one-time calibration is performed during production, then initial sensor accuracy is achieved, but performance shifts over time due to environmental changes and structural alterations cannot be accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system performs self-calibration by automatically detecting environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, pressure) and structural changes, then adjusting its own sensitivity parameters without external intervention. The calibration component uses the sensor's own output signals to determine sensitivity adjustments, enabling the system to maintain accuracy autonomously over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts sensitivity parameters based on detected environmental conditions and structural changes. By varying sensitivity as a function of temperature, humidity, pressure, and other environmental factors, the sensor maintains measurement precision despite changing operating conditions.
2Measurement precision
If manual calibration is performed during production, then production-induced defects are corrected, but the process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system performs self-calibration automatically, eliminating the need for manual calibration operations. The calibration component executes calibration routines autonomously by processing the sensor's own output signals and adjusting sensitivity parameters, significantly reducing calibration time and labor costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs calibration actions in advance or continuously in the background, so that when measurement is needed, the sensor is already calibrated. This preliminary calibration action eliminates the need for time-consuming manual calibration during production or before use.
3Reliability
If sensitivity is varied for calibration, then continuous adaptation to environmental changes is enabled, but additional components and complexity are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration component performs multiple functions: it detects environmental conditions, processes sensor output signals, determines sensitivity adjustments, and executes calibration operations. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional component, the system achieves continuous adaptation without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the calibration functionality with the existing sensor system by integrating the calibration component that uses the sensor's own output signals for calibration. This merging approach allows continuous calibration capability while minimizing additional hardware complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Facilitating self-calibration of a sensor device via modification of a sensitivity of the sensor device is presented herein. A sensor system can comprise a sensor component comprising a sensor that generates an output signal based on an external excitation of the sensor; a sensitivity modification component that modifies a sensitivity of the sensor by a defined amount; and a calibration component that measures a first output value of the output signal before a modification of the sensitivity by the defined amount, measures a second output value of the output signal after the modification of the sensitivity by the defined amount, and determines, based on a difference between the first output value and the second output value, an offset portion of the output signal. Further, the calibration component can modify, based on the offset portion, the output signal.