Low-power data acquisition system and sensor interface
US9756699B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 29, 2014 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 7, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J1/44
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensor interface includes on-chip relaxation oscillator circuit and a PLL that operate cooperatively to generate a highly accurate clock signal on-chip using low-power components. A photodiode generates a current signal based on an optical signal that is representative of a sensor signal. An ADC that operates based on the highly accurate clock signal generates a digital signal based on the current signal generated by the photodiode, and a processor processed the digital signal to estimate sensor data within the sensor signal. Examples of characteristics that may be sensed can include environmental characteristics (e.g., temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, etc.) and/or biomedical characteristics (e.g., body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, etc.). If desired, an amplifier processes the photodiode-provided current signal before it is provided to the ADC. Also, one or more CDACs that generate feedback currents may be used to reduce noise sensitivity of the sensor interface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.