Variable Chopping Modulator for Signal Normalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiation transducers in AC mode often produce sinusoidal waveforms instead of ideal rectangular signals due to constant chopping speeds, leading to suboptimal signal-to-noise ratios, especially when dealing with modulated radiation sources.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a modulator with variable chopping speeds and optical filters, where the speed of the chopper wheel is adjusted based on the transmissive properties of each filter element to normalize signal amplitudes, and electronic circuitry with a selectable resistance-capacitance circuit to optimize signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a constant chopping rate is used in the modulator, then the system operation is simple, but the signal amplitudes from different optical filters are not normalized, leading to poor signal-to-noise ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The modulator's chopping rate is changed from constant to variable, dynamically adjusting the dwell time based on the transmissive properties of each optical filter. This dynamic adjustment normalizes the signal amplitudes while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The chopping rate parameter of the modulator is varied according to the transmissive properties of different optical filters. By changing this parameter dynamically, the system achieves normalized signal amplitudes and improved signal-to-noise ratios without requiring complex additional components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a high chopping rate is used, then the frequency moves away from noise sources like 60 Hz electrical noise, but the detector response frequency is approached, causing sinusoidal waveforms instead of rectangular signals
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the chopping rate based on the specific optical filter being used. This allows the chopping rate to be optimized for each filter's transmissive properties, maintaining rectangular waveform quality while still achieving frequency separation from noise sources when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The chopping rate parameter is varied to match the transmissive properties of different optical filters. This parameter adjustment ensures that the detector operates within its optimal response range, producing rectangular waveforms while maintaining frequency separation from electrical noise.
3Measurement precision
If the dwell time for each optical filter is increased, then the signal amplitude increases, but the measurement time for each wavelength increases, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The dwell time for each optical filter is dynamically adjusted based on its transmissive properties. Filters with lower transmissivity receive longer dwell times to normalize signal amplitudes, while filters with higher transmissivity receive shorter dwell times. This dynamic approach achieves signal normalization without proportionally increasing total measurement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The dwell time parameter is varied according to the transmissive properties of different optical filters. This parameter optimization allows the system to achieve normalized signal amplitudes across all filters while minimizing the total measurement time, thus maintaining productivity.
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 enhances signal-to-noise ratios by normalizing signal amplitudes, allowing for improved detection of modulated radiation, even with low transmissive filters, and increases the efficiency of radiation-based measurements.
Implementation Method 1
Radiation transducers, such as radiation detectors, convert radiant power to an electrical signal or other physical property that is then converted to an electrical signal.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include systems and methods to provide selectable variable gain to signals in measurements using incident radiation. The selectable variable gain may be used to normalize signals modulated in measurements using incident radiation. The selectable variable gain may be attained using a number of different techniques or various combinations of these techniques. These techniques may include modulating a modulator having modulating elements in which at least one modulating element acts on incident radiation differently from another modulating element of the modulator, modulating the use of electronic components in electronic circuitry of a detector, modulating a source of radiation or combinations thereof. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.