Two-Step Capacitance-to-Digital Converter With VCO Time-Domain Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical motion capture systems, both passive and active, face challenges in accuracy due to environmental and surface reflections, and are often bulky, failing to meet payload limitations in applications like unmanned aerial vehicles and wearables.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, modular active motion capture system utilizing flexible strips and optimized driver circuits to integrate light-emitting sources on unmanned vehicles and wearables, eliminating the need for external illumination and reducing interference from reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If passive markers are used for motion capture, then the system is simple and lightweight, but accuracy is reduced due to environmental and surface reflections
Solution Approach 1:
The motion capture marker contains integrated light-emitting components (LEDs or lasers) that actively emit light signals for tracking. This self-illuminating capability eliminates dependence on external light sources, allowing the marker to provide its own illumination and avoid interference from environmental reflections, thereby improving measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the light source function from the external environment and embeds it within the marker itself. By removing the dependency on external illumination and integrating self-contained light-emitting components, the system eliminates the harmful effect of environmental and surface reflections on motion capture accuracy
2Measurement precision
If active motion capture systems are implemented, then tracking precision is improved, but the system becomes bulky and fails to meet payload limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs miniaturized light-emitting components (such as small LEDs or laser diodes) and integrates them with compact driver circuits and power management systems. By changing the scale and integration level of these components, the system achieves active motion capture functionality while significantly reducing the overall weight and size of the marker device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functional components (light-emitting elements, driver circuits, power management, and mounting structures) into a single integrated marker assembly. This merging of functions into a compact unified design reduces the total weight and volume while maintaining the active motion capture capabilities needed for high tracking precision
3Measurement precision
If active motion capture systems are implemented, then tracking precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or pulsed light emission from the integrated light-emitting components rather than continuous illumination. The driver circuit controls the LEDs or lasers to emit light in periodic bursts at frequencies sufficient for motion capture tracking, thereby reducing average power consumption while maintaining adequate tracking precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes highly efficient light-emitting components (such as LEDs or laser diodes) that convert electrical energy to light with high efficiency. By changing to these more efficient light sources and optimizing their operating parameters, the system achieves the required light output for accurate tracking while minimizing power consumption
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 system provides accurate and reliable motion capture with reduced weight and power consumption, expanding payload capabilities for miniature robots and enhancing tracking precision without external infrared lamps.
Implementation Method 1
a conductor formed thereon that extends along the length of the flexible substrate, wherein the first light emitting source component is electrically coupled to the first flexible strip at a first position
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of light emitting source components (e.g., IR, visible, and/or UV sources)
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary incremental two-step capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC) with a time-domain sigma-delta modulator (TDΔΣM) includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO)-based integrator that can be used in a low-order loop configuration. Example prototypes are disclosed, which when fabricated in 40-nm CMOS technology, provides CDC resolution of 0.29 fF while dissipating only 0.083 nJ per conversion.