SQUID Array Transfer Function Adjustment for Signal Saturation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) are limited in accurately sensing incident electromagnetic signals over a wide range of power levels due to saturation issues, as they are typically optimized for low power signals and fail to produce accurate electrical outputs for higher power sources.
Innovation Solution
A sensing device comprising an array of SQUIDs with unique transfer functions and varying loop sizes, allowing automatic adjustment of the output selection based on the power level of the incident electromagnetic signal to prevent saturation, enabling detection and representation of signals across a wide power range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a SQUID is optimized for detecting weak electromagnetic signals at low power levels, then measurement precision for weak signals is improved, but the device becomes saturated and loses reliability when exposed to high power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The SQUID device is divided into multiple independent SQUID sensors, each with different loop sizes and optimized for different power ranges. Instead of one SQUID trying to handle all power levels, the system segments the detection task across multiple specialized sensors, with each sensor responsible for a specific power range segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the key parameter of loop size across different SQUID sensors. By varying the loop size parameter, each SQUID is tuned to have different sensitivity characteristics and saturation thresholds, allowing the array to cover a wide dynamic range from weak to strong signals without any single sensor becoming saturated across all conditions.
2Ease of manufacture
If a SQUID array uses identical loop sizes for all sensors, then manufacturing precision and ease of manufacture are improved, but the adaptability to detect signals across a wide power range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The uniform SQUID array is segmented into different functional groups based on loop size categories. While all SQUIDs are manufactured using the same process (maintaining ease of manufacture), they are sorted and assigned to different functional segments based on their loop size measurements, creating specialized detection groups for different power ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces parameter variation (loop size) within the manufacturing process itself, using controlled variations in loop dimensions during fabrication to naturally create sensors with different sensitivity characteristics. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving the desired parameter diversity for wide-range detection.
3Device complexity
If a single transfer function is used for a SQUID, then device complexity is reduced, but the extent of automation and ability to adjust to different power levels is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the power level of incident electromagnetic signals and using this information to automatically select the appropriate transfer function. The measured signal power feeds back to the selection logic, which then chooses the optimal transfer function from the available set, creating a closed-loop adaptive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer function selection is made dynamic rather than static. Instead of using a fixed transfer function, the system dynamically switches between multiple transfer functions based on real-time signal conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to optimize its response characteristics for the current operating conditions without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
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 device effectively detects and outputs electromagnetic signals over a wide power range without saturation, maintaining high fidelity by passively selecting outputs from sensors optimized for specific power ranges, ensuring linear responses across varying power levels.
Implementation Method 1
A typical SQUID includes a loop of superconducting material including one or more Josephson junctions
Implementation Method 2
SQUIDs are sensitive magnetic field devices that are capable of detecting incident electromagnetic signals and producing an electrical signal in the form of a voltage response
Data Source
AI summary
The transfer function of a sensing device including a plurality of sensors is automatically adjusted based on a power level of an incident electromagnetic signal detected by the plurality of sensors. Each of the plurality of sensors is associated with a unique transfer function. An output from one of the plurality of sensors associated with a particular transfer function is automatically selected based on a power level of the detected incident electromagnetic signal. Responsive to a change in the power level of the detected electromagnetic signal, another output from a different one of the plurality of sensors associated with a different transfer function is selected. The transfer function is adjusted over time by automatically selecting outputs from different ones of the plurality of sensors based on changes in the power level of the detected incident electromagnetic signal.