Adaptive Voltage Comparison Circuit for ADC-Free Anomaly Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting electrical anomalies in systems, such as voltage or frequency variations, are costly, power-intensive, and time-consuming, particularly when using high-resolution Analog to Digital Converters (ADCs) and complex signal processing techniques like Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), and often fail to reliably detect frequency-based anomalies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an analog comparator circuitry that compares input voltages to a reference voltage, with adaptive reference voltage adjustment and Time-To-Digital Converters (TDCs) to characterize both amplitude and frequency without the need for high-resolution ADCs or FFT, enabling efficient detection of both amplitude-based and frequency-based anomalies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-resolution ADCs and complex signal processing techniques like FFT are used to detect voltage or frequency variations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential comparison function needed for anomaly detection, using a simple analog comparator circuit that directly compares input voltage to a reference voltage. This eliminates the need for complex ADCs and FFT processing, achieving anomaly detection through basic voltage comparison while significantly reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex high-resolution ADCs with inexpensive, simple analog comparator circuits. The comparator provides sufficient functionality for anomaly detection without the overhead of high-resolution conversion, effectively using a simpler, cheaper component to achieve the required measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution ADCs and complex signal processing techniques are used, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential comparison function needed for anomaly detection, using a simple analog comparator circuit that directly compares input voltage to a reference voltage. This eliminates the need for power-intensive ADCs and FFT processing, achieving anomaly detection through basic voltage comparison while significantly reducing power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, power-intensive high-resolution ADCs with inexpensive, low-power analog comparator circuits. The comparator provides sufficient functionality for anomaly detection without the overhead of high-resolution conversion, effectively using a simpler, lower-power component
3Measurement precision
If complex signal processing techniques like FFT are used, then measurement precision is improved, but detection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential comparison function needed for anomaly detection, using a simple analog comparator circuit that directly compares input voltage to a reference voltage. This eliminates the need for time-consuming FFT processing, achieving anomaly detection through instant voltage comparison while significantly reducing detection time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-establishing a reference voltage that represents normal operating conditions. The analog comparator continuously compares the input voltage against this pre-set reference, enabling immediate anomaly detection without requiring real-time complex signal processing or post-processing analysis
4Device complexity
If simple voltage comparison methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of anomaly detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the reference voltage adaptive rather than fixed. The reference adaption circuitry dynamically adjusts the reference voltage based on the statistical characteristics of the input signal, allowing the simple comparator circuit to maintain high detection reliability across varying operating conditions while keeping device complexity low
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the reference adaption circuitry that continuously monitors the input signal characteristics and adjusts the reference voltage accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the comparator maintains optimal detection performance despite variations in operating conditions, enhancing reliability without increasing circuit complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An example device includes an analog comparator circuitry having a first input configured to couple to an input voltage and a second input configured to couple to a reference voltage, the analog comparator circuitry configured to output a digital value corresponding to a difference between the input voltage and the reference voltage and output sampler circuitry configured to: produce a plurality of samples of the difference, and count the number of samples in which the input voltage is greater than the reference voltage. The example device also includes reference adaption circuitry configured to: determine, based on the count, whether to adjust the reference voltage; responsive to a determination to adjust the reference voltage, determine, based on the count, an amount of adjustment; and responsive to a determination not to adjust the reference voltage, provide an indication of the reference voltage to processor circuitry.