Patent ID: 6492601
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: G01G,G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling a microelectronic sensor and conditioning electric signals having associated therewith electronic circuits and self-monitoring software, comprising:sensor means, for precisely detecting temperature and minute changes in mass deposition and outputting a temperature signal associated with a temperature and outputting a beat frequency signal proportional to said mass deposition; and controller means, operatively connected to said sensor means, for monitoring the health of said sensor means and conditioning said beat frequency signal, said controller means comprising: a controller thermal monitor, operatively connected to said controller means, for detecting a temperature of said controller means and outputting a controller temperature signal; first temperature measuring means, operatively connected to said controller thermal monitor, for detecting said controller temperature signal from said controller thermal monitor; second temperature measuring means, operatively connected to said sensor means, for detecting the temperature signal from said sensor means and outputting a current; a thermal-electric heat pump circuit, operatively connected to said second temperature measuring means, for receiving an electric current and for raising or lowering the temperature of said sensor means by switching direction of said electric current to said thermal-electric heat pump and for turning off said heat pump; signal conditioning means, operatively connected to said sensor means, for receiving and conditioning said beat frequency signal from said sensor means; and a microcontroller, operatively connected to said controller thermal monitor, said first and second temperature measuring means, said thermal-electric heat pump circuit, and said signal conditioning means, for converting the controller temperature signal, said sensor means temperature signal, said second temperature measuring means current, signal, and said beat frequency signal into data records and for manipulating said data records for transmission.