Ultrasonic Sensor Blindness Detection via Amplifier Saturation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems fail to detect a potential fault state that can cause 'noise-induced blindness,' leading to undetected obstacles or hazards, as they are unaware of this condition and lack systems to recognize and report it.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sensor controller with a transmitter, receiver, processing circuit, and blindness detector that generates acoustic bursts, senses responses, and determines saturation of the front-end amplifier to detect noise-induced blindness, using envelope detectors, comparators, and analog-to-digital converters to communicate sensor fault conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor operates in noisy environments, then the sensor can detect obstacles and hazards, but the front-end amplifier may saturate causing noise-induced blindness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the noise floor during dedicated measurement intervals (when the transducer is not actuating) before the actual detection occurs. This allows the system to establish a baseline noise level and detect amplifier saturation conditions in advance, preventing false detection or missed detection during critical measurement periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement interval between transducer actuation and obstacle detection. During this intermediate period, the system measures the noise floor without transmitting acoustic bursts, allowing separation of the detection function from the actuation function. This intermediary measurement enables the system to identify amplifier saturation caused by environmental noise before it affects obstacle detection.
2Productivity
If the sensor transmits acoustic bursts frequently, then the sensor can provide continuous monitoring, but the measurement intervals for detecting noise-induced blindness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between actuation intervals (transmitting acoustic bursts for obstacle detection) and measurement intervals (measuring noise floor). This periodic switching allows the system to perform both functions - maintaining detection productivity while periodically assessing amplifier saturation conditions. The measurement intervals occur regularly without requiring additional time beyond the existing actuation-measurement cycle.
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
Enables reliable detection and reporting of noise-induced sensor blindness, ensuring operators are alerted to potential hazards and can take corrective actions, improving sensor reliability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter to drive a piezoelectric element during actuation intervals to generate acoustic bursts
Implementation Method 2
a receiver to sense a response of the piezoelectric element to echoes of each acoustic burst
Data Source
AI summary
Piezoelectric sensor controllers may facilitate detection and identification of various potential fault states including noise-induced sensor blindness. In one illustrative embodiment, a sensor controller includes: a transmitter to drive a piezoelectric element during actuation intervals to generate acoustic bursts; a receiver to sense a response of the piezoelectric element to echoes of each acoustic burst, the receiver including a front-end amplifier; a processing circuit coupled to the transmitter and to the receiver, the processing circuit operable to apply echo-detection processing to said response; and a blindness detector to detect saturation of the front-end amplifier during or prior to the measurement intervals.