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US 2015/0091591 A1Published application
Maximizing resolution of resistance sensing
AssigneeSiemens Industry, Inc.
InventorDonald E. Charles
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An approach for maximizing the resolution of a resistance sensor with a variable current source.
Claims20
An apparatus that increases resolution of resistance sensing, comprising:
- a variable current source that produces a variable current in response to an analog current value;
- a variable resistance device that generates a voltage associated with the variable current, where the variable resistance has a low resistance value and a high resistance value;
- and
- a controller that receives a voltage value associated with the current and generates a current value associated with the analog current value, where the current value results in an increase in resolution of a range between the low resistance value and a high resistance value.
1 more element
A method of increasing resolution of resistance sensing, includes the steps of:
- determining a maximum resistance position of a resistive device;
- sensing a voltage that is generated by passing a current through the resistive device when the resistive device is at the maximum resistance position;
- increasing the current generated by a variable current source by increasing the current value, until the voltage that is sensed is near a maximum voltage;
- storing the current value used by the variable current source associated with the maximum voltage as a first current value;
- determining a minimum resistance position of the resistive device;
- sensing the voltage that is generated by passing the current through the resistive device when the resistive device is at the minimum resistance position;
- decreasing the current generated by the variable current source by decreasing the current value, until the voltage that is sensed is near a minimum voltage when the device is at the minimum resistance position;
- storing the current value used by the variable current source associated with the minimum voltage as a second current value;
- determining a maximum resolution step value derived from the minimum resistance position and maximum resistance position;
- and
- changing the current value used by the variable current source as the resistance value changes by the maximum resolution step value.
8 more elements
A method of resistance sensing with a controller, includes the steps of:
- receiving a voltage value at the controller;
- generating a current value in response to receipt of the voltage value at the controller;
- converting the current value into an analog current signal with a digital-to-analog converter;
- adjusting a current generated by a variable current source in response to receipt of the analog current signal at the variable current source;
- converting the current into the voltage by passing the current through a variable resistor having a resistance, where the variable resistor has a predetermined minimum resistance and a predetermined maximum resistance and the relationship between the voltage value and the current value increases the resolution between the predetermined minimum resistance and the predetermined maximum resistance;
- and
- converting the voltage into a voltage value with an analog-to-digital converter.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.