Temperature Sensor A/D Conversion Using Ratio-Based Reference Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion solutions for temperature sensors compromise between versatility and accuracy, often requiring specialized converters that increase design costs and limit compatibility with other sensor types in multi-sensor systems.
Innovation Solution
An A/D conversion method and device that generate an input signal positively correlated to temperature and a reference voltage signal negatively correlated to temperature, with an amplification operation on their ratio to produce a quantized output value, allowing for high accuracy and compatibility with other signal measurements by using a voltage signal with known temperature properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a specialized A/D converter is designed for temperature signal conversion to achieve high accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and design cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal A/D converter that can handle both temperature signals and other sensor signals (battery voltage, DC currents, low frequency signals) through a shared read-out interface circuit. The converter uses a ratio calculation method with temperature-compensated reference voltage to achieve high accuracy for temperature signals while maintaining compatibility with other signal types, eliminating the need for specialized converters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the A/D converter by using a ratio calculation method where the reference voltage is negatively correlated with temperature. This parameter transformation allows the converter to compensate for temperature effects and achieve high measurement precision without requiring temperature-specific hardware design.
2Device complexity
If a shared read-out interface circuit is used among multiple sensor types to decrease design cost, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of temperature signal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where the reference voltage is generated to be negatively correlated with temperature based on the temperature signal itself. This feedback loop allows the shared A/D converter to automatically compensate for temperature effects during conversion, maintaining high measurement precision while using a universal interface circuit for multiple sensor types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a ratio calculation method as an intermediary process between the shared A/D converter and the temperature signal. By calculating the ratio between the temperature signal and a temperature-compensated reference voltage, the system achieves high accuracy temperature measurement through the shared interface without direct temperature-specific conversion hardware.
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 solution achieves high accuracy in temperature measurement while maintaining versatility, enabling compatibility with other signal measurements in multi-sensor systems by considering the temperature properties of the reference voltage.
Implementation Method 1
generating, by an analog front-end circuit, an A/D converter input signal positively correlated to a temperature and an A/D converter reference voltage signal negatively correlated to the temperature
Data Source
AI summary
An analog-to-digital conversion method and an A/D conversion device for a temperature sensor are provided. An analog front-end circuit generates an A/D converter input signal positively correlated to a temperature and an A/D converter reference voltage signal negatively correlated to the temperature, and an operation is performed on a ratio of amplitudes of the generated signals to obtain a quantized output value. Since the amplitude of the A/D converter input signal is less than that of the A/D converter reference voltage signal, measurements on other signals is compatible with the measurement on the temperature in a multi-sensor system. A digitized output value is calculated by a digital-assisted readout method to generate a linear output relating to a temperature, thereby improving the accuracy of temperature measurement and reducing complexity of analog circuit design.