Switchable Sensor Array for Fixed Output Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current environmental sensors require costly and power-hungry analogue electronics for non-linear sensitivity to physical parameters like temperature and humidity, increasing complexity and cost due to the need for noise minimization.
Innovation Solution
A sensor array with a controller that adjusts the effective area and spacing of sensors using switches to maintain an array output value within a predefined range, allowing for digital signal processing and reducing the need for analogue components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If analogue signal conditioning is used to handle non-linear sensitivity of sensors, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic analogue signal conditioning system with a digital processing system. Sensors with non-linear sensitivity are connected directly to digital output, and the non-linearity is corrected through digital algorithms rather than analogue electronics, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the sensors by applying different excitation signals (e.g., alternating current at different frequencies) and using digital signal processing to extract linearized measurements. This allows the system to achieve linear output without analogue conditioning by changing how the sensors are stimulated and processed
2Measurement precision
If analogue signal conditioning is used to handle non-linear sensitivity, then measurement accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes power-hungry analogue electronics with low-power digital processing. By eliminating analogue signal conditioning circuits and using digital algorithms for non-linearity correction, the system achieves the same measurement accuracy with significantly reduced power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic excitation signals (alternating current at specific frequencies) to stimulate the sensors, allowing for efficient modulation and demodulation techniques that reduce power consumption while maintaining measurement accuracy through frequency-domain signal processing
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are used to cover different measurement ranges, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single sensor array universally applicable to multiple measurement ranges by using digital signal processing to handle different operating conditions. The same physical sensors can measure across different ranges by changing the excitation parameters and processing algorithms, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated sensor sets
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability by allowing the system to change its operating mode in real-time through digital control. The sensors can dynamically adjust their effective range by modifying excitation frequencies, amplitudes, or combining signals from multiple sensors in different configurations, all controlled through digital logic rather than physical switching
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 simplifies the measurement electronics, reduces costs, and enhances the efficiency of environmental sensors by enabling accurate measurements with fewer sensors and less power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
each sensor having first and second electrodes configured to output a respective sensor output value in a particular environment based on the areas of the first and second electrodes and/or the spacing therebetween
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4(a)~5
AI summary
An apparatus comprising a sensor array,configured to produce an array output value in response to an environmental stimulus, and a controller, the sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors and a common output terminal connected to the respective outputs of the sensors, each sensor having first and second electrodes configured to output a respective sensor output value in a particular environment based on the areas of the first and second electrodes and/or the spacing there between, the controller configured to control which of the sensors are connected to the common output terminal using respective switches to vary the effective area and/or spacing of the sensor array such that the array output value at the common output terminal, based on the contribution of the respective sensor output values of the connected sensors, is held at a reference value.