System and method of operation of an embedded system for a digital capacitance diaphragm gauge
First Claim
1. A digitally controlled sensor system comprising:
- a sensor;
an analog front end module coupled to the sensor and configured to produce an analog sensor signal;
an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the analog sensor signal to a digital sensor signal; and
a digital controller configured to receive the digital sensor signal, process the signal and provide an output signal indicating a measured parameter corresponding to the sensor signal.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for digitally controlling sensors. In one embodiment, a digital controller for a capacitance diaphragm gauge is embedded in a digital signal processor (DSP). The controller receives digitized input from a sensor AFE via a variable gain module, a zero offset module and an analog-to-digital converter. The controller automatically calibrates the received input by adjusting the variable gain and zero offset modules. The controller also monitors and adjusts a heater assembly to maintain an appropriate temperature at the sensor. The controller utilizes a kernel module that allocates processing resources to the various tasks of a gauge controller module. The kernel module repetitively executes iterations of a loop, wherein in each iteration, all of a set of high priority tasks are performed and one of a set of lower priority tasks are performed. The controller module thereby provides sensor measurement output at precisely periodic intervals, while performing ancillary functions as well.
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Citations
54 Claims
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1. A digitally controlled sensor system comprising:
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a sensor;
an analog front end module coupled to the sensor and configured to produce an analog sensor signal;
an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the analog sensor signal to a digital sensor signal; and
a digital controller configured to receive the digital sensor signal, process the signal and provide an output signal indicating a measured parameter corresponding to the sensor signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for digitally controlling a sensor system comprising:
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receiving an analog sensor signal;
converting the analog sensor signal to a digital sensor signal; and
processing the signal to provide an output signal indicating a measured parameter corresponding to the sensor signal. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification