Solid State Spectral Radiometer with Diode Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectral radiometers are costly, shock-sensitive, and consume high power, making them unsuitable for remote environments, especially in applications requiring high precision and low power consumption, such as mobile solar power units and environmental monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A novel spectral radiometer system with a three-diode sensor section, ultra-low power consumption, and integrated data storage, capable of measuring light intensity and spectral distribution across multiple wavelength bands, utilizing semiconductor diodes with adjustable bandgap energies and external capacitors for sensitivity adjustment, housed in a compact and lightweight package.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional spectral radiometers use sophisticated optical components and refined electronic components, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spectral radiometer is divided into multiple independent photodiode channels, each sensitive to different wavelength bands. This segmentation allows simultaneous measurement of multiple spectral components without requiring complex optical beam forming or diffraction components, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Each photodiode channel serves multiple functions: it acts as both the light detection element and the spectral filtering element through its wavelength-dependent sensitivity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate optical components for each wavelength band, reducing overall device complexity while preserving measurement capabilities
2Measurement precision
If conventional spectral radiometers use refined electronic components for signal readout, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic measurement cycles where photodiodes are illuminated and then read out in sequence. This periodic operation allows the use of simple, low-power electronic components that only need to function during brief readout intervals rather than continuous operation, thereby maintaining measurement precision while significantly reducing overall power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The photodiodes themselves provide the spectral discrimination function through their inherent wavelength-dependent sensitivity characteristics, eliminating the need for complex external electronic signal processing. This self-service approach allows the use of minimal electronic components with low power consumption while preserving measurement precision
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional spectral radiometers use moving parts for measurement, then adaptability to different wavelength bands is improved, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves adaptability to different wavelength bands through electronic selection and combination of signals from multiple photodiode channels, each with fixed but different spectral sensitivities. This dynamic electronic approach replaces mechanical moving parts while maintaining the ability to measure different wavelength bands, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system varies the effective spectral response by changing which photodiode channels are activated and how their signals are combined electronically. This parameter change approach allows adaptation to different wavelength bands without physical reconfiguration, eliminating moving parts and improving reliability while maintaining versatility
4Measurement precision
If conventional spectral radiometers are designed for high precision measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple photodiode channels with different spectral sensitivities are combined into a single integrated sensor assembly. This merging allows the system to maintain high measurement precision across multiple wavelength bands while consolidating what would otherwise require separate instruments, thereby reducing overall size and weight
Solution Approach 2:
The photodiode channels are arranged in a compact nested configuration where multiple sensing elements are integrated within a small package. This nesting approach allows high-precision multi-wavelength measurement capabilities to be contained in a miniaturized form factor, reducing both size and weight while maintaining measurement precision
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 high sensitivity and linearity over several orders of magnitude of light intensity, operates for extended battery life (up to several years), and is cost-effective, suitable for remote solar radiation monitoring and environmental assessments, with minimal size and weight, and resistance to shock.
Implementation Method 1
measuring incoming light intensity and spectral distribution in different wavelength-bands... utilizing semiconductor diodes with adjustable bandgap energies
Data Source
AI summary
A spectral radiometer system, measures incoming light intensity and spectral distribution in different wavelength-bands. An additional data storage device allows recording of the measured data. The inclusive sensor system yields very high sensitivity to incoming light. Furthermore, outstanding linearity of the detector response over several orders of magnitude of incoming light is achieved. Additional benefits are ultra low power consumption and minimum size. The sensor system can be used in remote solar radiation monitoring applications like mobile solar power units as well as in long-term environmental monitoring systems where high precision and low power consumption is a necessity.