Lorentz force based magnetic field sensor with optical readout

A miniaturized sensor capable for measuring high magnetic flux densities is presented. The magnetic flux density is converted into a movement of a micro machined U-shaped cantilever, which bears a thin film lead. The cantilever movement is accomplished by the Lorentz force acting on the electrical current. The cantilever poses as a deflecting mirror in an optical readout system. The ratio of the intensity of the light reflected by the front side of the cantilever to the intensity of the incident light is analyzed. The optical conversion principle was proven experimentally. It is well described by an optical near field model. To overcome measurement problems caused by the deformation due to mechanically prestressed cantilevers, an ac excitation was used for sensor characterization. A measurement range of the current–flux density product of 2.2 mA T was achieved by evaluating the peak light intensity. Beyond this limit more sophisticated signal analysis has to be applied. Depending on the rest position, a magnetic flux density of about 10 mT can be resolved with a current of 10 mA. The target of an upper limit of 50 T can be achieved by reducing the electrical current.     

A silicon pressure sensor with a low-cost contactless interferometric optical readout

A novel miniature pressure sensor based on a silicon micromembrane with non-electric contactless readout of its deflection by low-cost integrated interferometric optical means (a simple ‘white’-light source and a special single-chip photodetector) has been elaborated. In contrast to the well-known piezoresistive or capacitive readout, the contactless optical approach will provide accurate measurements of absolute or differential pressure even in severe environments and at elevated temperatures. Preliminary experiments performed show the feasibility of such a sensor.     

A readout circuit for an intra-ocular pressure sensor

A readout circuit for a passive telemetric intra-ocular pressure (IOP) sensor is being developed. The intra-ocular sensor consists of a capacitive pressure sensor in parallel with a planar coil. This inductor–capacitor (LC) resonant circuit transduces the pressure into a shift of resonance frequency. A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is used to excite the sensor over a large frequency range (20–40 MHz), hereby detecting resonance of the internal sensor, and thus enabling the measurement of the intra-ocular pressure. This low power circuit is extremely compact, making it suitable for long-term ambulant patient monitoring. The circuit allows wireless readout of the smallest pressure transducers. Tests show promising results at mutual coil distances up to 7.5 mm.     

A new discrete circuit for readout of resistive sensor arrays

In this paper, we present a method that simplifies the interconnect complexity of N × M resistive sensor arrays from N × M to N + M. In this method, we propose to use two sets of interconnection lines in row–column fashion with all the sensor elements having one of their ends connected to a row line and other end to a column line. This interconnection overloading results in crosstalk among all the elements. This crosstalk causes the spreading of information over the whole array. The proposed circuit in this method takes care of this effect by minimizing the crosstalk. The circuit makes use of the concept of virtual same potential at the inputs of an operational amplifier in negative feedback to obtain a sufficient isolation among various elements. We theoretically present the suitability of the method for small/moderate sized sensor arrays and experimentally verify the predicted behavior by lock-in-amplifier based measurements on a light dependent resistor (LDR) in a 4 × 4 resistor array. Finally, we present a successful implementation of this method on a 16 × 16 imaging array of LDR.     

CMOS图像传感器LUPA-4000具有开窗读出功能成像系统的实现

针对高端面阵CMOS图像传感器LUPA-4000驱动时序的特点,通过设计一套基于FPGA和ARM的成像系统,实现了LUPA-4000开窗读出功能。LUPA-4000工作模式、开窗位置及大小等拍照参数均可经上位PC机设置后,通过以太网发送至FPGA。所获取的图像信息在PC机中存储,并可按照实际窗口大小转换为bmp格式后进行显示。本文对在实现开窗功能过程中需要解决的三个主要问题:拍照参数的传递、LUPA-4000驱动时序的FPGA实现以及PC机端图像数据的格式转换,都进行了详细的描述。     

Shrink-induced ultrasensitive mercury sensor with graphene and gold nanoparticles self-assembly

Here we report an ultrasensitive trace mercury(II) micro sensor based on heat-shrinkable polymer (polyolefins, PO). The layer-by-layer self-assembly (LBL SA) method was employed to modify mixed gold nanoparticle (Au NPs) and graphene solution on a micro gold electrode with PO substrate. The unique wrinkle structure of the electrode surface and superior properties of modification film enhanced the performance of LBL SA graphene–Au NPs shrink sensor greatly in determination of Hg(II) using anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV): compared with a shrink gold electrode without surface modification, the sensitivity was improved for about 3.7 times from 0.197 to 0.721 μA/ppb; compared with a same-sized sensor without surface modification nor shrink, the sensitivity was improved for over 50 times. This sensor’s detection limit of Hg(II) was achieved as 0.931 ppb with a sensitivity of 0.721 μA/ppb. This simple but highly sensitive sensor can be widely used in applications of on-line environmental monitoring of Hg(II).

     

用于数字图像传感器的脉冲宽度调制读出方法研究

为提高数字像素图像传感器的动态范围,提出了一种具有自适应参考电压的脉冲宽度调制读出方法。该方法将像素阵列分成包含相同数目像素的像素块,通过参考电压产生模块使每个像素块的参考电压和像素块内光照强度相关,理论上这种结构能够将数字像素图像传感器的动态范围从48 dB提升至96 dB,实际仿真结果为88.16 dB。分析了像素分块内主要的噪声来源和参考电压产生模块的采样电容引入的偏差。采用65 nm CMOS工艺实现了4×4的像素块电路,在高光强和弱光强条件下分别将电路输出同理论计算值相比较,并分析了产生误差的原因。     

耦合系数对无线无源传感器信号读取的影响

研究了耦合系数对无线无源传感器信号读取的影响。通过建立无线无源LC传感器的集总电路耦合模型,对其进行理论分析,推导出了天线端阻抗参数的理论表达式,结合MATLAB软件仿真,从理论上得出,通过天线端阻抗参数提取出来的传感器谐振频率变化量受耦合系数的影响,并得到实验验证。理论分析和实验测试表明,在进行无线无源传感器耦合系统设计时,应选取合适的耦合系数,来提高测量灵敏度。     

An in-plane high-sensitivity, low-noise micro-g silicon accelerometer with CMOS readout circuitry

A high-sensitivity, low-noise in-plane (lateral) capacitive silicon microaccelerometer utilizing a combined surface and bulk micromachining technology is reported. The accelerometer utilizes a 0.5-mm-thick, 2.4/spl times/1.0 mm/sup 2/ proof-mass and high aspect-ratio vertical polysilicon sensing electrodes fabricated using a trench refill process. The electrodes are separated from the proof-mass by a 1.1-/spl mu/m sensing gap formed using a sacrificial oxide layer. The measured device sensitivity is 5.6 pF/g. A CMOS readout circuit utilizing a switched-capacitor front-end /spl Sigma/-/spl Delta/ modulator operating at 1 MHz with chopper stabilization and correlated double sampling technique, can resolve a capacitance of 10 aF over a dynamic range of 120 dB in a 1 Hz BW. The measured input referred noise floor of the accelerometer-CMOS interface circuit is 1.6/spl mu/g//spl radic/Hz in atmosphere.     

A statistics-based sensor selection scheme for continuous probabilistic queries in sensor networks

A common approach to improve the reliability of query results based on error-prone sensors is to introduce redundant sensors. However, using multiple sensors to generate the value for a data item can be expensive, especially in wireless environments where continuous queries are executed. Moreover, some sensors may not be working properly and their readings need to be discarded. In this paper, we propose a statistical approach to decide which sensor nodes to be used to answer a query. In particular, we propose to solve the problem with the aid of continuous probabilistic query (CPQ), which is originally used to manage uncertain data and is associated with a probabilistic guarantee on the query result. Based on the historical data values from the sensor nodes, the query type, and the requirement on the query, we present methods to select an appropriate set of sensors and provide reliable answers for several common aggregate queries. Our statistics-based sensor node selection algorithm is demonstrated in a number of simulation experiments, which shows that a small number of sensor nodes can provide accurate and robust query results.     

Scalable microbeam flowsensors with electronic readout

In this paper, we present a scalable microchannel-embedded cantilever flowsensor with electronic readout. The scalable nature of the sensor addresses the need to realize arrays of flowsensors to characterize localized flow patterns. The electronic readout addresses the need to integrate flowsensors in microfluidic channels for closed-loop flow control. The in-channel nature of the flowsensor provides a wide choice for the cap material (e.g., PDMS, glass, silicon, etc.) enabling division of labor between integrated circuit (IC) and microfluidic foundries. This also holds promise for large-scale integrated microfluidic systems. The cantilever beam is placed inside a microfluidic channel in such a way that it utilizes drag forces to cause a flow-induced stress underneath the beam anchor. A Wheatstone bridge of piezoresistors placed directly under the anchor converts the flow-induced stress into a differential output voltage. We present an analytical model and 3-D simulations for the proposed flowsensor. Flowsensors fabricated by standard photolithography were tested to experimentally verify the validity of the model and simulation results. A flow sensitivity (unamplified) of 0.5 ppm/(/spl mu/L/s) was measured with first generation devices with water flow from 10 /spl mu/L/min to 100 /spl mu/L/min. Through experimental results, it is also shown that scaling down the size of the flowsensor results in higher sensitivity. We present a prediction on the noise-floor of flow measurement based on the results obtained using these prototype flowsensors.     

A multichannel surface plasmon resonance sensor using a new spectral readout system without moving optics

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors with spectral interrogation provide a high refractive index resolution, a large dynamic range and a fixed optical detection module. In this work, we propose a new multichannel spectral detection unit that uses only one spectrometer to measure the reflection spectrum from multiple sensing spots serially without any mechanical movement. This spectral detection unit is designed based on a spatial light modulator (SLM) configured as a programmable optical aperture for the spectrometer. To demonstrate this concept, a five-channel laboratory SPR prototype was built based on the proposed multichannel detection unit, and we evaluated the device's sensitivity and resolution using a refractive index test. Refractive index resolution of 1.4 × 10⁻⁶ refractive index units (RIU) can be reached using the five-channel prototype. This sensor is suitable for low-cost multichannel biosensing applications that do not contain fast kinetics.     

基于Verilog HDL的一种绝对值编码器实时读出算法

针对所设计的绝对值编码器读出电路板,用Verilog HDL设计了一种绝对值编码器实时读出程序.可以将编码器数据读入FPGA,并将编码器输出的普通二进制数据转换为角度值,最后驱动液晶显示屏实时读出角度值.经过测试,该程序能够稳定运行在电路板上,完全满足编码器数据在液晶显示屏上的实时读出.本程序基于模块化设计,易于移植.     

Scalable continuous object detection and tracking in sensor networks

With the advancement of MEMS technologies, sensor networks have opened up broad application prospects. An important issue in wireless sensor networks is object detection and tracking, which typically involves two basic components, collaborative data processing and object location reporting. The former aims to have sensors collaborating in determining a concise digest of object location information, while the latter aims to transport a concise digest to sink in a timely manner. This issue has been intensively studied in individual objects, such as intruders. However, the characteristic of continuous objects has posed new challenges to this issue. Continuous objects can diffuse, increase in size, or split into multiple continuous objects, such as a noxious gas. In this paper, a scalable, topology-control-based approach for continuous object detection and tracking is proposed. Extensive simulations are conducted, which show a significant improvement over existing solutions.     

基于空心微针阵列的连续监测葡萄糖传感器

研制了一种基于空心微针阵列并可微痛刺入皮下实时连续监测人体血糖浓度的葡萄糖传感器.微针阵列由等间距的三根微针组成,分别作为工作电极、辅助电极和参比电极,其中工作电极与辅助电极采用表面溅射了Ti/Pt的空心不锈钢微针来制作,采用戊二醛-牛血清白蛋白交联法将葡萄糖氧化酶固定并仅置于作为工作电极的针尖通孔处;参比电极采用Ag/AgCl实心微针制作.测试结果表明:葡萄糖浓度在0～21 mmol·L-1范围内传感器输出电流为线性,灵敏度为0.575 μA/(mmol·L-1),响应时间为16s,且具有很好的抗干扰性.     

External temperature sensor assisted a new low power photoplethysmography readout system for accurate measurement of the bio-signs

Microsystem Technologies - This study presents an external temperature sensor assisted a new low power, time-interleave, wide dynamic range, and low DC drift photoplethysmography (PPG) signal...     

Efficient sensor network design for continuous monitoring of moving objects

We study the problem of localizing and tracking multiple moving targets in wireless sensor networks, from a network design perspective i.e. towards estimating the least possible number of sensors to be deployed, their positions and operation characteristics needed to perform the tracking task. To avoid an expensive massive deployment, we try to take advantage of possible coverage overlaps over space and time, by introducing a novel combinatorial model that captures such overlaps.     

基于间角叠组电位器的无限连续测角传感器研究

在分析既有机械测角、电磁测角、光学测角、光电测角、电位器测角方法和性能特点的基础上,提出基于间角叠组电位器的连续测角方法;设计并说明三元间角叠组电位器的结构、性能特点;以三元间角叠组电位器为角度传感部件,提出基于欧姆比参数的盲区补偿原理,基于广义电阻原理的电阻测量方法和基于全周电阻原理和欧姆度参数的连续测角方法的概念、参数、原理、计算方法和测角传感器应用系统结构。最后,简要讨论了本方法的主要特点。     

TGM-COT: energy-efficient continuous object tracking scheme with two-layer grid model in wireless sensor networks

In a resource-constrained wireless sensor network, energy efficiency is a principle issue for monitoring the movement of continuous objects, such as wild fire and hazardous chemical material. In this paper, a continuous object tracking scheme with two-layer grid model (TGM-COT) is proposed. To address the problem of boundary distortion caused by uneven node distribution, we put forward a novel mechanism for boundary nodes identification. Furthermore, a streamlining mechanism is designed to reduce the amount of uploaded data. Simulation results demonstrate that, without sacrificing additional energy consumption, TGM-COT is able to achieve high tracking accuracy and significantly reduce the communication overhead.