System and method of operation of an embedded system for a digital capacitance diaphragm gauge

• US 20060219018A1
• Filed: 03/07/2006
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brooks Instrument LLC (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Brooks Instrument LLC (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Inventors: Edwards, Marvin B., Arrant, Edwin K., Albert, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,490,518 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/714
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 18/008 with calibration coefficients stored in memory
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 3/022 having an ideal characteristic, map or correction data stored in a digital memory
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/02 Arrangements for preventing, or for compensating for, effects of inclination or acceleration of the measuring device; Zero-setting means for aneroid barometers G01L7/14
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/04 Means for compensating for effects of changes of temperature , i.e. other than electric compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 27/002 Calibrating, i.e. establishing true relation between transducer output value and value to be measured, zeroing, linearising or span error determination
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 9/125 with temperature compensating means non electric temperature compensating means G01L19/04

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.

Claims

1-29. -29. (canceled)

30. A method for digitally controlling a sensor system comprising:

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.

31-54. -54. (canceled)