Signal Conditioning IC with Coefficient Memory for Sensor Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing signal conditioning technologies for sensor transducers either provide limited robustness with generic ASICs or require end-user processing power for flexible higher-order conditioning, neither of which is optimal for cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit with both signal conditioning circuitry and memory for downloadable coefficients, allowing for both coarse and fine conditioning, with pre-stored user-specific coefficients for customized and efficient signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a generic signal conditioning ASIC is used, then the device can be used in a wide variety of applications, but the conditioning robustness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ASIC is designed with multiple functions: it can condition signals from different sensor types (pressure, airflow, speed, position) and can operate in different modes (coarse conditioning with built-in coefficients or fine conditioning with downloadable coefficients), making it universally applicable while maintaining robustness
Solution Approach 2:
The conditioning approach is made dynamic by allowing the system to switch between coarse conditioning (using built-in lower-order polynomial expressions) and fine conditioning (using downloadable higher-order polynomial expressions), adapting the level of conditioning robustness to the specific application needs
2Reliability
If downloadable coefficients are stored in external memory, then higher-order conditioning can be achieved, but the end-user processor must be used for conditioning which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the memory storage function with the signal conditioning ASIC by integrating a TEDS IC into the same package. This allows the downloadable coefficients to be stored locally in the sensor assembly rather than in external memory, enabling the ASIC to perform fine conditioning independently without occupying the end-user processor
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly becomes self-sufficient by including all necessary components (sensor transducer, signal conditioning ASIC, and coefficient memory) in one integrated package. The ASIC can autonomously perform both coarse and fine conditioning using the stored coefficients, freeing the end-user processor for other tasks
3Reliability
If an ASIC is designed for every specific sensor type, then optimal conditioning can be achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than designing separate ASICs for each sensor type, the patent creates a universal signal conditioning ASIC that can handle multiple sensor types (pressure, airflow, speed, position). The ASIC is configured with sensor-specific characteristics through downloadable coefficients, eliminating the need for expensive custom ASIC designs for each application
Solution Approach 2:
The ASIC achieves sensor-specific optimization by changing its operational parameters through downloadable coefficients rather than through hardware design variations. This allows the same ASIC architecture to be optimized for different sensor types by simply loading appropriate coefficient sets, significantly reducing manufacturing costs
Data Source
AI summary
A signal conditioning integrated circuit includes both signal conditioning circuitry and memory devoted to storing end-user downloadable coefficients. In a preferred embodiment, the integrated circuit is an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), and the end-user downloadable coefficients, based upon a mathematical equation pre-selected by the end-user, are pre-stored in the ASIC when a sensor device with which the ASIC is associated is calibrated. This results in a customized and more cost-effective and space-efficient signal-conditioning apparatus with improved functionality over that available in the prior art.