Variable Input Impedance for Reliable Binary Signal Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital contact transducers in polluted and moist environments suffer from low parasitic resistances, leading to false signal detection and unwanted shutdowns in power transmission systems, while high-impedance digital inputs face power losses and slow signal detection.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a variable input impedance to adapt to actual signal levels, with low impedance for low signal levels and high impedance for high signal levels, controlled using a bipolar transistor and resistor with pulse width modulation, to enhance sensing reliability and minimize power dissipation and disturbance sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If low-impedance digital inputs are used to improve sensing reliability in polluted environments, then false signal detection is reduced, but power losses increase and signal detection becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the input impedance variable rather than fixed. The impedance adapts dynamically based on the detected signal level: low impedance is used when low signal levels are detected to improve sensing reliability, while high impedance is used when high signal levels are detected to minimize power losses. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between reliability and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the impedance parameter based on the signal level condition. By monitoring the signal level and adjusting the impedance parameter accordingly (low impedance for low signal levels, high impedance for high signal levels), the system optimizes both sensing reliability and power consumption, resolving the technical contradiction.
2Reliability
If low-impedance digital inputs are used to improve sensing reliability, then false state detection is reduced, but signal detection speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts impedance based on signal level conditions. When high signal levels are detected, high impedance is applied to enable fast signal detection. When low signal levels are detected, low impedance is applied to ensure reliable sensing and avoid false detections. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between reliability and detection speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The impedance parameter is changed based on the detected signal level. High impedance is used for high signal levels to enable fast detection, while low impedance is used for low signal levels to ensure reliability. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between sensing reliability and detection speed.
3Loss of energy
If high-impedance digital inputs are used to reduce power losses, then energy efficiency improves, but sensing reliability decreases and false detections increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic impedance adjustment to resolve this contradiction. When high signal levels are detected, high impedance is applied to minimize power losses and improve energy efficiency. When low signal levels are detected, low impedance is applied to maintain sensing reliability and prevent false detections. This dynamic behavior allows the system to optimize both energy efficiency and reliability based on operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The impedance parameter is adaptively changed based on signal level conditions. High impedance is selected for high signal levels to reduce power consumption, while low impedance is selected for low signal levels to ensure reliable sensing. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between energy efficiency and sensing reliability.
4Reliability
If fixed low-impedance inputs are used to improve sensing reliability, then disturbance sensitivity is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts impedance based on signal level detection. Low impedance is applied when low signal levels are detected to reduce disturbance sensitivity and improve reliability. When high signal levels are detected, high impedance is applied to minimize power consumption. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between reliability and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The impedance parameter is changed based on the detected signal level conditions. Low impedance is used for low signal levels to ensure reliable sensing with low disturbance sensitivity, while high impedance is used for high signal levels to reduce power consumption. This parameter adaptation resolves the technical contradiction.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for sensing a binary signal includes a device configured to measure a signal level of the signal, a device configured to determine whether the measured signal level is “low” or “high”, a device configured to provide a variable input impedance, and a device configured to control the input impedance in response to the measured signal level. The variable input impedance may be provided by way of a transistor and a resistor, and by controlling the duty ratio of the transistor using pulse width modulation. Preferably, the input impedance is controlled to be low for low signal levels and to be high for high signal levels, which results in a more reliable sensing of binary signals. The device may be used for detecting the state of contact transducers suffering from parasitic resistances caused by moist and/or polluted environments. Further, a method of sensing a binary signal is provided.