Count value generation circuit, physical quantity sensor module, and structure monitoring device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10560101-B2
Application number	US-201916395366-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 26, 2019
Priority date	Apr 27, 2018
Publication date	Feb 11, 2020
Grant date	Feb 11, 2020

Abstract

A count value generation circuit includes a first counter that counts edges of a reference signal to generate a first count value in synchronization with an input signal, a time digital value generator that generates a time digital value corresponding to a phase difference between the reference signal and the input signal, a count integrated value combiner that outputs a difference between an integer multiple of the first count value and the time digital value, and a count value generator that generates a count value based on a difference between a first output value and a second output value output from the count integrated value combiner.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A count value generation circuit comprising:
a first counter that counts edges of a reference signal in synchronization with an input signal to generate a first count value;
a time digital value generator that generates a time digital value corresponding to a phase difference between the reference signal and the input signal;
a count integrated value combiner that outputs a difference between an integer multiple of the first count value and the time digital value; and
a count value generator that generates a count value based on a difference between a first output value and a second output value output from the count integrated value combiner.

2. The count value generation circuit according to claim 1 ,
wherein the time digital value generator includes
an oscillator,
a second counter that counts an output signal from the oscillator based on the reference signal and generates a second count value, and
a count value integrator that integrates the second count value to obtain an integrated value and outputs the integrated value as the time digital value.

3. The count value generation circuit according to claim 2 ,
wherein the number of times of oscillation in which the oscillator oscillates is equal to the integer.

4. The count value generation circuit according to claim 3 ,
wherein the oscillator stops oscillation when the oscillator oscillates by 2 n times, where n is a positive integer.

5. A physical quantity sensor module comprising:
the count value generation circuit according to claim 1 ; and
a physical quantity sensor that outputs the input signal.

6. The physical quantity sensor module according to claim 5 ,
wherein the physical quantity sensor measures any of mass, acceleration, angular velocity, angular acceleration, electrostatic capacitance, and temperature as a physical quantity.

7. A structure monitoring device comprising:
the physical quantity sensor module according to claim 5 ;
a receiver that receives a measurement signal from the physical quantity sensor module attached to a structure; and
a calculator that calculates an inclination angle of the structure based on a signal output from the receiver.

Assignees

• Seiko Epson Corp

Inventors

• Todorokihara Masayoshi

Classifications

• G01R23/10

  by converting frequency into a train of pulses, which are then counted {, i.e. converting the signal into a square wave} · CPC title

• H03K19/1774

  for global signals, e.g. clock, reset · CPC title

• G01R31/31727

  Clock circuits aspects, e.g. test clock circuit details, timing aspects for signal generation, circuits for testing clocks (G01R31/31725 takes precedence; concerning scan test G01R31/318552, for tester hardware G01R31/31922) · CPC title

• H03K19/17716 Primary

  with synchronous operation, i.e. using clock signals, e.g. of I/O or coupling register (H03K19/17712 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G01R23/02

  Arrangements for measuring frequency, e.g. pulse repetition rate; Arrangements for measuring period of current or voltage · CPC title