Signal Processing Unit Noise Reduction via Sequential Axis Merging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing physical quantity measuring instruments face challenges in reducing noise components and improving reliability without increasing circuit size or cost, particularly in miniaturized portable equipment, where noise reduction methods often fail to achieve sufficient effects due to timing differences in measurement between axes and increased circuit complexity.

Innovation Solution

A physical quantity measuring instrument and signal processing method that linearly combines signals from multiple detecting axes with time-varying coefficients, using sign control and signal switching components to reduce noise and adjust detection sensitivity, while maintaining orthogonal or non-orthogonal axes configurations, and employing magnetic concentrators to enhance sensitivity and reduce noise effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If signals from multiple detecting axes are combined simultaneously using separate circuits, then measurement precision and noise reduction are improved, but device complexity and circuit size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise reductionVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines signal processing for multiple detecting axes into a single shared circuit. The signal processing unit sequentially processes signals from different axes (first axis, second axis, third axis) using one operational amplifier and one A/D converter, eliminating the need for separate circuits for each axis while maintaining measurement precision through sequential processing and timing coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The signal processing unit is designed to perform multiple functions by processing signals from different detecting axes in sequence. The same operational amplifier and A/D converter are reused for processing signals from the first, second, and third detecting axes, making the circuit multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single axis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If signals from multiple detecting axes are processed sequentially using shared circuits, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement timing synchronization becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit complexityVSAvoidmeasurement timing difference
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The signal processing unit operates in periodic cycles, sequentially processing signals from the first detecting axis, then the second detecting axis, then the third detecting axis, and repeating this cycle. This periodic sequential processing ensures that each axis is measured at regular intervals while using shared circuit resources, resolving the timing synchronization issue through structured periodic operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit coordinates the timing of signal processing in advance by determining the measurement timing for each detecting axis before processing occurs. The system preliminarily plans which axis to process at each time point, ensuring proper timing synchronization without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each axis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Volume of moving object

If miniaturization is implemented in portable equipment, then portability is improved, but noise components increase and detection sensitivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoiddetection sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the signal processing circuits for multiple detecting axes into a single shared circuit, significantly reducing the overall circuit size and enabling miniaturization. By processing signals from three different axes using one operational amplifier and one A/D converter sequentially rather than in parallel, the device achieves compact form factor suitable for portable equipment while maintaining detection sensitivity through coordinated timing processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The method effectively reduces noise components and improves reliability by enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio and reducing circuit size and cost, while allowing for simultaneous detection of three-dimensional physical quantities with improved sensitivity and reduced distortion.

Implementation Method 1

employing magnetic concentrators to enhance sensitivity and reduce noise effectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux concentration: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP2060875B1Physical quantity measuring instrument and signal processing method thereof
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 ASAHI KASEI MICRODEVICES CORP
  • EP2060875B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2060875B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2060875B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a physical quantity measuring instrument and signal processing method thereof capable of reducing noise components and improving reliability without increasing size or cost of the circuit. A physical quantity detecting unit (11) has signal detecting components for detecting a plurality of signals based on a desired physical quantity and detects the desired physical quantity. A signal processing unit (12) executes signal processing of the signals detected on the individual detecting axes by the physical quantity detecting unit (11) for linearly combining the signals in different combinations with time. An arithmetic processing unit (13) combines and calculates a plurality of signals based on the physical quantity associated with the physical quantity detecting unit (11) from the signal data output by the signal processing unit (12). It can linearly combine the signals from the plurality of detecting axes in different combinations with time, output them, and obtain desired signal components whose noise components are reduced by calculating the outputs.