Spectral Reading Synchronized LED Array
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable spectral readers face challenges in achieving long battery life and maintaining spectral resolution due to the power requirements of bright incident lights, which are necessary for strong reflected signals, while also being compact and lightweight.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a tunable Fabry-Perot etalon and synchronized LED sources, where the LEDs are arranged in a physical array to provide collimated light and a processor determines an LED switch table to optimize power usage by only activating LEDs that correspond to specific wavelengths, reducing unnecessary power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a bright incident light is used to produce a strong reflected signal, then the spectral reading quality is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The incident light source is segmented into multiple individual LEDs arranged in an array, each capable of being independently controlled. This allows selective activation of only those LEDs whose wavelengths are needed for the current measurement, rather than illuminating all LEDs continuously. The segmentation enables precise control over which wavelength components contribute to the reflected signal, reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining spectral reading quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic scanning through different wavelength ranges by sequentially activating different subsets of LEDs in the array. Rather than maintaining continuous illumination across all wavelengths, the system periodically cycles through relevant wavelength bands, activating only the necessary LEDs during each scanning phase. This periodic action reduces average power consumption while ensuring that sufficient bright incident light is provided during each measurement interval to maintain spectral reading quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LEDs are activated to cover a broad spectrum, then the spectral coverage is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts which LEDs are activated based on the specific measurement requirements. The controller adjusts the active LED subset in real-time according to the target object's spectral characteristics and the desired measurement parameters. This dynamic configuration allows the system to maintain broad spectral coverage when needed while reducing power consumption by activating only the necessary wavelength range for each specific measurement task, rather than continuously powering all LEDs.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the LED array are activated based on the local spectral requirements of the measurement. The system applies local quality by selectively enabling LEDs in specific portions of the array that correspond to the wavelength range needed for the current measurement objective. This localized activation approach maintains comprehensive spectral coverage capability while minimizing overall power consumption by keeping inactive those LED regions not currently required for the measurement.
3Reliability
If continuous illumination is used to maintain signal strength, then the measurement reliability is improved, but the battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic illumination cycles where LEDs are activated only during the actual measurement intervals rather than continuously. Between measurement cycles, the LEDs remain inactive to conserve battery power. This periodic action maintains measurement reliability by ensuring sufficient signal strength during each measurement window while extending battery life through reduced overall power consumption during non-measurement periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by activating only the minimum necessary subset of LEDs required to achieve reliable measurements, rather than illuminating all LEDs continuously. By providing just enough illumination power during measurement intervals to maintain signal strength and reliability, the system extends battery life without compromising measurement quality. The partial activation approach ensures that excessive power is not consumed while still achieving the necessary signal levels for reliable spectral reading.
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
This approach enables a portable spectral reader to achieve efficient power management, maintaining spectral resolution and extending battery life by selectively illuminating only the necessary LEDs for each measurement, thus optimizing power consumption and operational duration.
Implementation Method 1
Light from the plurality of LEDs is enabled to be collimated at a Fabry-Perot etalon
Implementation Method 2
A system utilizing a tunable Fabry-Perot etalon and synchronized LED sources, where the LEDs are arranged in a physical array to provide collimated light
Data Source
AI summary
A system for spectral reading includes a plurality of LEDs, an interface, and a processor. The plurality of LEDs are disposed in a physical array. Light from the plurality of LEDs is enabled to be collimated at a Fabry-Perot etalon. The interface is configured to receive a gap calibration table and power characteristics of a plurality of LEDs. The processor is configured to determine an LED switch table. The LED switch table indicates a set of the plurality of LEDs with power above a threshold at a plurality of wavelengths. The processor is further configured to cause measurement of a sample using the gap calibration table and the LED switch table for a set of gap values and determine measurement results.