Sensor Trigger Synchronization for High-Rate Digital Output Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing approaches for synchronizing digital output signals from multiple sensors in electronic apparatuses are costly, energy-intensive, and not suitable for high output-data rates, often requiring additional devices and complex calculation resources.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system comprising detection and control circuitry that generates a digital output signal and a locking signal based on a trigger signal derived from a frequency-indication signal and local reference signals, allowing for synchronized sampling of digital output signals across multiple sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional devices are incorporated for synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor node autonomously generates its own trigger signals using local reference clocks and self-determined timing parameters, eliminating the need for centralized synchronization controllers. The nodes independently calculate their trigger moments based on configured time offsets and local clock signals, achieving synchronization without external energy-intensive control infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization function is extracted from the central control unit and distributed to individual sensor nodes. Each node extracts and uses only the necessary timing parameters (time offsets, clock frequencies) locally, eliminating the need for continuous centralized control and reducing overall system energy consumption while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
2Reliability
If additional devices are incorporated for synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensor nodes autonomously generate trigger signals using their own local reference clocks and self-determined timing parameters, eliminating the need for centralized synchronization controllers and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sensor node is designed with universal functionality to both generate and respond to trigger signals, allowing any node to serve as both a timing source and a synchronized element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized master/slave hardware configurations and simplifies the overall device architecture.
3Measurement precision
If high calculation resources are allocated for synchronization, then synchronization precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Synchronization parameters including time offsets, clock frequencies, and trigger timing are pre-configured in each sensor node before operation. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for real-time calculation during sensing operations, allowing high synchronization precision to be achieved through simple local comparisons rather than energy-intensive computations.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sensor node independently uses its pre-configured parameters and local clock to determine trigger timing, eliminating the need for continuous communication and calculation coordination with central controllers, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining precision.
4Reliability
If dedicated communication interfaces are used for synchronization, then synchronization reliability is improved, but versatility and simplicity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The same communication interface is used for multiple purposes: transmitting sensing data, exchanging synchronization parameters, and coordinating trigger signals. This multi-functional use of universal interfaces eliminates the need for dedicated synchronization channels, maintaining reliability while improving versatility and simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor includes detection circuitry and control circuitry coupled to the detection circuitry. The detection circuitry generates a detection signal indicative of a detected physical quantity. The control circuitry, in operation receives the detection signal and a frequency-indication signal, and generates a trigger signal based on the frequency-indication signal and a set of local reference signals. The sensor generates a digital output signal and a locking signal based on the trigger signal and the detection signal. The generating the digital output signal includes outputting a sample of the digital output signal based on the trigger signal. The locking signal is temporally aligned with the digital output signal.