SQUID Data Acquisition via Optical Fiber Digital Conversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data acquisition systems for multi-channel SQUID signals face challenges with external noise infiltration and loop-circuit noise generation due to numerous lines and ground connections, requiring costly analog signal processing and increasing installation area, while also reducing sampling time with increasing channels.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing digital converters connected to SQUID sensors to generate channel-voltage serial digital signals, which are transmitted through optical fiber cables, eliminating the need for analog signal processors and reducing noise by blocking electromagnetic waves within the shield room.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If numerous lines and ground connections are used to connect SQUID sensors to the ASP, then multi-channel signal acquisition is achieved, but external noise infiltrates and loop-circuit noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
Optical fiber cables are introduced as an intermediary medium to transmit digital signals between the shield room and the ASP. The optical fiber acts as a mediator that carries signal information without requiring electrical connections, thereby preventing both external noise infiltration and loop-circuit noise generation while maintaining multi-channel signal acquisition capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional electrical connection system (conducting lines and ground connections) with an optical transmission system. Digital signals are converted to optical signals for transmission through optical fibers, substituting the mechanical/electrical connection approach with an optical approach that inherently isolates the shield room from external electromagnetic noise
2Reliability
If an analog signal processor (ASP) is used to process SQUID signals, then signal amplification and filtering are achieved, but system complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the analog signal processing system with a digital signal processing system. Instead of using an ASP with multiple analog components (amplifiers, filters, etc.), the invention uses a digital signal processor that receives digital signals directly from the SQUID sensors via optical fibers, thereby simplifying system constitution and reducing production cost while maintaining signal processing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the analog signal processing stage from the system. By directly converting SQUID sensor outputs to digital signals and transmitting them via optical fibers, the patent eliminates the need for an ASP, thereby reducing system complexity and production cost while preserving essential signal processing functions through digital means
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of channels is increased to improve measurement coverage, then more SQUID sensors are deployed, but sampling time per channel is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous and simultaneous sampling across all channels by using digital signal processing and optical fiber transmission. Unlike sequential sampling approaches, the system can acquire and process signals from all channels simultaneously without time division multiplexing, thereby maintaining full sampling time for each channel even as the number of channels increases
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic signal processing capabilities through the digital signal processor, which can adaptively handle variable numbers of channels. The system dynamically adjusts processing parameters and maintains optimal sampling rates for each channel based on the total number of active channels, allowing measurement coverage to expand without proportionally reducing sampling time
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 prevents external noise and loop-circuit noise, simplifies system constitution, reduces production costs, and maintains accurate data acquisition without the need for analog signal processing, ensuring uniform signal processing across channels.
Implementation Method 1
transmitted through optical fiber cables, eliminating the need for analog signal processors and reducing noise by blocking electromagnetic waves within the shield room
Implementation Method 2
a digital converter connected to a SQUID sensor having a plurality of channels, and configured to receive a voltage signal output from the plurality of channels and generate a channel-voltage serial digital signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system for acquiring data of a multi-channel superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) signal includes a digital converter connected to a SQUID sensor having a plurality of channels and configured to receive a voltage signal output from the plurality of channels and generate a channel-voltage serial digital signal having information about a channel from which the voltage signal is output and information about the voltage signal, and an optical fiber cable through which the channel-voltage serial digital signal is transmitted from the digital converter.