Yaw Rate Sensor Control Loops With Shared Reference Voltages
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Solution Overview
Problem
The aging of reference voltages used in digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters in yaw rate sensors leads to scale factor errors, affecting measurement accuracy, as these voltages are not constant over time and can change due to aging, potentially causing errors that accumulate to the fourth power.
Innovation Solution
A control device with interdependent reference voltages for digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters in separate control loops, where at least two reference voltages are set to be dependent on each other, reducing the impact of aging on the scale factor from the fourth power to the second power, thereby enhancing accuracy and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters use reference voltages for signal conversion, then the sensor can perform digital control and measurement functions, but the reference voltages age over time causing scale factor errors that reduce measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of reference voltage by making it variable rather than constant. The control unit dynamically adjusts the reference voltage of the digital-to-analog converter based on the actual operating conditions and measured values, allowing the system to compensate for aging effects and maintain measurement accuracy over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors the sensor output and adjusts the reference voltage accordingly. The measured values from the analog-to-digital converter are fed back to the control unit, which then modifies the reference voltage to minimize scale factor errors, creating a closed-loop system that maintains precision despite component aging.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the reference voltage is kept constant for stable operation, then the converter provides consistent conversion ratios, but aging causes the reference voltage to drift over time creating scale factor errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static reference voltage approach to a dynamic one. The reference voltage is no longer fixed but is continuously adjusted by the control unit based on real-time measurements and predetermined algorithms, enabling the system to adapt to aging while maintaining operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-correction by automatically adjusting its own reference voltage without external intervention. The control unit monitors the sensor's performance and modifies the reference voltage to compensate for aging effects, allowing the sensor to maintain its own accuracy over time without requiring external calibration or replacement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate control loops with separate converters are used for each measurement axis, then each axis can be independently controlled, but the complexity of the control system increases with multiple reference voltages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the reference voltage generation system multi-functional by using a single control unit that manages reference voltages for multiple converters and control loops. The control unit serves multiple functions: it controls the excitation, reads measurements from multiple axes, and adjusts reference voltages for all converters, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining independent axis control capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a controller (200) for controlling a rotation rate sensor, having a first control circuit (202) and a second control circuit (204). The first control circuit has a first control unit (210) for controlling an oscillation of the rotation rate sensor along a first direction, a first digital-to-analog converter (240) for converting a first digital control signal (215) output by the first control unit (210) into a first analog signal (245) with which the oscillation of the rotation rate sensor along the first direction is controlled, and a first analog-to-digital converter (250) for converting a first analog measurement signal (235) which describes the oscillation of the rotation rate sensor along the first direction into a first digital read-out signal (255) which is supplied to the first control unit (210). The second control circuit (204) has a second control unit (220) for controlling an oscillation of the rotation rate sensor along a second direction which is different from the first direction and a second digital-to-analog converter (270) for converting a second digital control signal (225) output by the second control unit into a second analog signal (275) with which the oscillation of the rotation rate sensor along the second direction is controlled. During the conversion process, the first digital-to-analog converter (240), the second digital-to-analog converter (270), and the first analog-to-digital converter (250) each operates using a reference voltage (241, 251, 271), and at least two of the reference voltages (241, 251, 271) of the first digital-to-analog converter (240), the second digital-to-analog converter (270), and the first analog-to-digital converter (250) are dependent on each other.