Measurement Signal Control with Parallel Calibration Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement devices face challenges in shortening their measurement cycles due to the sequential performance of processes for converting detected signals and calibration signals into digital signals, which increases the measurement cycle and requires redundant communication with the main controller.
Innovation Solution
A measurement device configuration featuring a main controller and a sub controller, where the sub controller performs parallel conversion and calculation processes for measured and calibration signals, reducing the number of communications and shortening the measurement cycle by designating both signals for conversion in a single control signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the main controller sequentially performs control for converting detected signal into digital signal and control for converting calibration signal into digital signal, then the conversion processes are completed accurately, but the measurement cycle becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The control functions are segmented between main controller and sub controller. The main controller generates control signals, while the sub controller executes the actual conversion of both detected signals and calibration signals into digital signals. This segmentation enables parallel processing of multiple conversion operations, reducing the overall measurement cycle while maintaining conversion accuracy through dedicated conversion units in the sub controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub controller is equipped with autonomous capability to perform conversion processes without requiring sequential intervention from the main controller for each conversion operation. The sub controller can independently convert both detected signals and calibration signals into digital signals using its own conversion units, thereby eliminating redundant communication cycles and shortening the measurement cycle while preserving accurate conversion through its dedicated conversion hardware.
2Reliability
If the main controller performs both control for converting detected signal and control for converting calibration signal, then all conversions are managed centrally, but the number of communications increases and measurement cycle lengthens
Solution Approach 1:
The control architecture is segmented into two functional parts: the main controller that generates control signals and the sub controller that executes conversion operations. The main controller sends a single control signal to the sub controller, which then autonomously performs both the conversion of detected signals and calibration signals into digital signals. This segmentation reduces the number of communication cycles from two (sequential conversions under main controller) to one (parallel conversions under sub controller), thereby increasing measurement speed while maintaining reliable centralized control through the main controller's signal generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub controller acts as an intermediary between the main controller and the conversion processes. It receives control signals from the main controller and translates them into autonomous conversion operations for both detected signals and calibration signals. This intermediary role allows the system to maintain centralized control architecture while enabling parallel processing, thus reducing communication overhead and increasing measurement productivity without sacrificing control reliability.
3Reliability
If sequential conversion processes are used for detected signal and calibration signal, then the main controller maintains full control, but redundant communications increase the measurement cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The control and conversion functions are segmented between main controller and sub controller. The main controller maintains reliability by generating the control signal, while the sub controller executes both conversion operations autonomously. This segmentation eliminates redundant communication cycles, as the sub controller performs both conversions in parallel based on a single control signal from the main controller, thereby reducing communication overhead and shortening the measurement cycle while preserving controller control reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub controller is empowered with self-service capability to perform both conversion operations independently after receiving a single control signal from the main controller. It autonomously converts both the detected signal and calibration signal into digital signals using its dedicated conversion units, eliminating the need for repeated communication cycles with the main controller. This self-service mechanism reduces communication overhead significantly while maintaining measurement reliability through the main controller's continued role in signal generation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A measurement device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first controller configured to output a control signal and a second controller configured to perform a first control and then to perform a second control based on the control signal output from the first controller. The control signal designates both an input signal and a calibration signal to be converted into a digital input signal and a digital calibration signal, respectively. The input signal is input from an outside of the measurement device. The calibration signal is previously prepared. The first control is for selecting the input signal and converting the selected input signal into the digital input signal. The second control is for selecting the calibration signal and converting the selected calibration signal into the digital calibration signal and for calculating a measured value using the digital input signal converted by the first control and another digital calibration signal converted by a control performed before the first control.