Signal Conditioner Circuit for High Accuracy Low Power Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft sensor systems face challenges in achieving high measurement accuracy due to the limitations of low power sources, such as optical or solar power, which are insufficient for high-performance devices, leading to reduced accuracy in sensor readings.
Innovation Solution
A power signal conditioning circuit utilizing a dual voltage drive, switch network, and current-to-voltage converter, where a processor generates and controls low impedance signals to sensors and reference components, allowing for high accuracy calculations by comparing responses to both signal levels, effectively mitigating the limitations of low power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high performance devices are used to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between two signal drive levels (first and second drive levels) applied to the sensor. The system periodically switches between these levels and uses ratio-metric measurement to calculate the sensor value, allowing accurate measurements with low power consumption since neither drive level needs to be continuously high-powered.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the drive signal level dynamically. The system switches between a first drive level and a second drive level (where the second is greater than the first) to excite the sensor at different amplitudes. This allows the system to achieve high measurement precision through ratio-metric calculations while keeping average power consumption low.
2Use of energy by moving object
If low power sources are used to reduce power consumption, then power usage is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a reference component with known characteristics that is subjected to the same drive levels as the sensor. By measuring both the sensor response and reference response at each drive level and calculating ratios, the system compensates for non-idealities in low-power electronics, achieving high measurement precision despite using low-power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct high-power signal excitation with a low-power excitation scheme combined with ratio-metric measurement. Instead of relying on high absolute signal levels to overcome electronic non-idealities, the system uses the ratio of sensor-to-reference responses at two different drive levels to eliminate the effects of gain errors and offset errors in low-power circuitry.
3Measurement precision
If dual voltage drive with switch network is implemented to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the switch network to perform multiple functions: it selectively connects the sensor and reference component to the drive circuit, alternates between the two drive levels, and routes signals to the measurement circuitry. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of obtaining a high accuracy value from at least one sensor using a conditioning circuit includes providing, by a processor, a first signal to the at least one sensor and obtaining a first sensor response from the at least one sensor; providing, by the processor, the first signal to a reference component and obtaining a first reference response from the reference component; providing, by the processor, a second signal, greater than the first signal, to the at least one sensor and obtaining a second sensor response from the at least one sensor; providing, by the processor, the second signal to the reference component and obtaining a second reference response from the reference component; and calculating, by the processor, the high accuracy value based on the first sensor response, the second sensor response, the first reference response and the second reference response.