Serial Sensor Array Readout With Sleep-Mode Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor arrays require significant computational power and resources to read data from multiple sensors quickly, leading to increased complexity and cost, and issues like transient signals and jitter due to high-clock speeds.
Innovation Solution
A rapid-data-transfer sensor array design that includes sensor integrated circuits (ICs) configured for serial data transfer, using a sleep mode to conserve power and a bi-directional start/done pin to activate sensors for measurement, allowing data to be transferred serially to a controller without the need for high-speed ADCs or complex addressing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high-speed processors and high-speed ADCs are used to read data from multiple sensors quickly, then data reading speed is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sensor array into multiple groups, with each group having a dedicated low-speed ADC. This segmentation allows parallel processing of sensor data from different groups, achieving fast overall data acquisition without requiring a single high-speed processor or high-speed ADC for all sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensor groups are combined and processed by a single low-speed processor. The patent merges the processing load across multiple groups, allowing the processor to handle data from all sensors sequentially at a lower clock speed, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining acceptable data reading speed.
2Speed
If high-speed processors and high-speed ADCs are used to read data from multiple sensors quickly, then data reading speed is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple low-speed ADCs instead of a single high-speed ADC. Each ADC processes data from a specific sensor group at a lower, more cost-effective clock speed, reducing the overall system cost while maintaining fast data acquisition through parallel processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple inexpensive low-speed ADCs rather than one expensive high-speed ADC. The lower-cost components are used in a parallel configuration that achieves the same overall performance, making the system more manufacturable and cost-effective.
3Speed
If high-clock speeds are used for data reading, then data reading speed is improved, but transient signals, phase noise, and jitter occur
Solution Approach 1:
The data acquisition process is divided into multiple parallel channels, each operating at a lower clock speed. By segmenting the sensor array and using multiple low-speed ADCs, the system achieves fast overall data reading without subjecting any single channel to high-clock-speed-induced noise and instability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic sampling across multiple sensor groups, with each group processed sequentially by the low-speed processor. This periodic action allows the processor to operate at a stable, low clock speed while still achieving rapid overall data acquisition through the coordinated periodic processing of multiple groups.
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 design simplifies system hardware and firmware, reduces power consumption, and minimizes issues related to high-clock speeds, enabling efficient and rapid data collection from multiple sensors with lower system complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more magnetic field sensors may include one or more Hall effect elements.
Implementation Method 2
The one or more magnetic field sensors may include one or more magnetoresistance elements.
Data Source
AI summary
Rapid-data-transfer sensor arrays include a controller and a plurality of sensor integrated circuits (ICs) connected in series and configured to periodically take measurements and provide measurement data to the controller as serial data. A sensor IC includes a transducer, a shift register, a serial-data-in (SDI) pin, a serial-data-out (SDO) pin, a clock pin, and a bi-directional start/done (ST/DN) pin. The sensor IC includes a power regulation circuit configured to selectively supply power for a sleep mode and an active mode for recording data and an internal shift register. When finished with the measurement, the sensor IC is configured to provide measurement data to the shift register for transfer to the controller. The controller is configured to initiate serial transfer of data from each of the shift registers of the first plurality of sensor ICs to the controller. Examples include a 2D array.