Soft-Field Tomography Single Reference Excitation Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-channel Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) systems require highly accurate excitation sources, leading to increased complexity, power consumption, and physical size, with limited bandwidth, making them inefficient for measuring higher order dispersion and susceptible to environmental variations.
Innovation Solution
A soft-field tomography system utilizing a single reference excitation source to generate derived excitations for multiple channels, combined with reduced bit digitization of response differences, reduces system complexity and power usage while maintaining accuracy, allowing for more efficient impedance distribution measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If highly accurate excitation sources are used for each channel in conventional multi-channel EIS systems, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple excitation sources into a single reference excitation source that serves all channels. The reference excitation source generates excitation signals that are then distributed to multiple channels through a reference excitation distribution network, eliminating the need for separate highly accurate excitation sources in each channel while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The single reference excitation source performs the function of multiple excitation sources simultaneously. It generates excitation signals that can be distributed to various channels through different paths, making the system more efficient and reducing overall complexity while maintaining the required accuracy for impedance measurements.
2Measurement precision
If highly accurate excitation sources operating from a few hundred Hz to a few hundred kHz are used, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple excitation sources into a single reference excitation source, the system reduces the total power consumption. Instead of powering multiple separate high-precision excitation sources, the system powers one reference source and distributes its output through a network, significantly reducing the overall energy requirement while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If highly accurate excitation sources with 16-bit precision are used for each channel, then measurement precision is improved, but physical space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple excitation source components into a single reference excitation source, thereby reducing the physical footprint of the system. Instead of allocating space for multiple high-precision excitation sources, the system requires space for only one reference source and associated distribution circuitry, significantly reducing the overall hardware footprint.
4Measurement precision
If conventional multi-channel EIS systems are used, then measurement precision is maintained, but bandwidth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic excitation signals that can vary in frequency and amplitude. The reference excitation source can dynamically adjust its output to cover a broader frequency range, enabling the system to measure higher order dispersion effects while maintaining precision. This dynamic capability expands the operational bandwidth without sacrificing measurement accuracy.
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 system achieves reduced power consumption and physical size while maintaining high accuracy, enabling improved measurement of impedance distribution and increased bandwidth for higher order dispersion analysis, and is less affected by environmental changes.
Implementation Method 1
a reference excitation distribution network that distributes the reference excitation to a plurality of channels
Implementation Method 2
a reduced bit digitizer in each of the plurality of channels configured to digitize a measured response difference
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for soft-field tomography data acquisition are provided. One system includes a plurality of transducers that correspond to a plurality of channels, and an excitation driver coupled to generate excitation signals for the plurality of transducers. The system also includes a single reference excitation source from which excitations are generated and one or more derived excitation sources. The one or more derived excitation sources derive excitations from the single reference excitation source that are applied to each of the plurality of channels. The system further includes a response detector and a reduced bit digitizer in each of the plurality of channels configured to digitize a measured response difference between the measured response at one or more of the transducers and at least one of an excitation of the single reference excitation source or an excitation derived from the single reference excitation source or a separate reference.