Measuring Transducer ASIC With Independent Frequency Scaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern measuring transducers face challenges in meeting varied requirements for measuring accuracy and dynamics, and existing components are not scalable or flexible in terms of energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

An application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with variable sampling, processing, and output frequencies, allowing for adaptive frequency adjustments based on measurement needs, is implemented, enabling independent control of frequencies such as sampling, digital signal processing, and output frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed frequencies are used for sampling, processing, and output, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different measurement requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to measurement requirementsVSAvoidfrequency control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements variable frequencies for sampling, digital signal processing, and output that can be independently adjusted based on measurement requirements. This dynamic frequency adjustment allows the system to adapt to different measurement scenarios (e.g., static vs. dynamic measurements) without requiring complex hardware changes, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If high processing frequency is used, then measurement dynamics and accuracy are improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracy and dynamicsVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic adjustment of the digital signal processing frequency and output frequency based on the actual measurement needs. For static measurements, lower frequencies reduce power consumption while maintaining sufficient measurement accuracy. For dynamic measurements, higher frequencies improve response speed and accuracy. This dynamic frequency control resolves the contradiction between measurement performance and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters (frequencies) of the system based on measurement requirements. By adjusting sampling frequency, processing frequency, and output frequency independently, the system optimizes the balance between measurement accuracy/dynamics and power consumption for different application scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If high sampling frequency is used, then measurement dynamics are improved, but productivity of other processing tasks deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement response speedVSAvoidprocessing throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements independent control of sampling frequency and digital signal processing frequency. This allows the sampling frequency to be set high for capturing dynamic measurements, while the processing frequency can be optimized separately to maintain overall system productivity. The decoupling of these frequencies resolves the contradiction between measurement response speed and processing throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2807546B1Application-specific integrated circuit and a measuring transducer having such a circuit
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 ENDRESS & HAUSER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2807546B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2807546B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2807546B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) (1) comprises: analogue inputs (11) with analogue/digital converters (ADCi) (12), at least one digital signal processor (DSP) (13) having input registers (14) and output registers (15), wherein the analogue/digital converter(s) (ADC) sample(s) input signals (Si), which depend on current values of measurement variables, at sampling frequencies (fSi) and digitize said signals and provide the input registers of the digital signal processor with the digitized signals (SDi) at output frequencies (fSD-out-i), wherein the digital signal processor (DSP) processes the digitized signals (SDi) to form m conditioned signals (SPj) and provides said signals in the output registers of the digital signal processor (DSP), wherein the digital signal processor has a clock frequency (fDSP), wherein the signals (SPj) can also be output or read from the output registers at an output frequency (fSP-out-j), wherein one or more of the frequencies (fSD-out-i, fDSP, fSP-out-j) is/are variable according to the invention, wherein one or more of the frequencies (fSD-out-i, fDSP, fSP-out-j) is/are, in particular, variable independently of the other of said frequencies.