Patent Description:
In the prior art, environmental sensing is up against two conflicting industry trends:.

The consequence: Crosstalk is an inevitability despite diligent execution of best practices in a PCB layout.

Moreover, a high degree of variability regarding the magnitude and induced phase shift stemming from the crosstalk also exists in the know sensor technologies. Furthermore, the electrical crosstalk magnitude and phase shift are not perfectly fixed inalienable system constants impervious to the external environment, but instead demonstrate a non-negligible susceptibility to the electrical circuitry to which they interface. For the case at hand, a set of prototype sensors were each tested with multiple signal output adapters (SOAs) to check for variability. Such effects have undesirable consequences regarding the efficacy of the corrective signal processing. In particular, the signal phase, which serves as one the signal processing inputs, is susceptible to phase noise, especially when attempting to resolve the phase of very low signal magnitudes as is often the case for electrical crosstalk signals. While a vanishingly small crosstalk signal would be acceptable (as this would indicate a negligible electrical crosstalk), however, it is more often the case that crosstalk signals are small enough in magnitude to be susceptible to phase noise, creating a noisy corrective input, but are still large enough to impede the required signal linearity. Finally, the variability in the induced phase shift also poses a problem. For the most stable corrective signal processing, a <NUM> degree phase is shift is optimal, but in practice the resulting phase shift as induced from the crosstalk can range anywhere from (-<NUM> to +<NUM>) deg with magnitudes ranging from (<NUM>% to <NUM>%) of available analog-to-digital converter range, e.g., consistent with that shown in <FIG>, where multiple points for each of the six (<NUM>) prototypes shown represent the prototype's unique response to different signal output adapters.

In the plot in <FIG>, the Delta Phase is the relative phase shift of the crosstalk signal with respect to the excitation LED signal and the Optical Dark Magnitude is the magnitude of the crosstalk signal without the presence of any optical signal. The corrective signal processing is impervious/invariant to variations in the optical dark magnitude (aside from the requirement that the optical dark magnitude be sufficiently large as to adequately resolve its phase). However, for the Delta Phase, this is not the case as any change in this parameter, once set as a calibration constant, will result in an error for the correction, e.g., consistent with that set forth herein.

<CIT> relates to a reduction of parasitic capacitive coupling and crosstalk between a sensor and other elements on a PCB by using an electrical shield. <CIT> deals with the problem of compensating for crosstalk between multiple active channels of a light detection system. The document proposes to solve the problem by implementing a compensation element as a blinded photodiode, which is affected by interference in the same way as the active channels. <NPL> addresses the problem of both optical and electrical crosstalk in a PIN photodiode array. The document investigates advantages obtained by using back-illuminated photodiode arrays with isolating diffusion between pixels. Finally, <CIT> discloses a sensor similar to the one used in the context of some of the embodiments described in the present disclosure.

By way of example, and according to some embodiments, the present application provides two new and unique inventions for implementing in a new and unique optical sensor, which address and solve the aforementioned problem in the prior art.

The present disclosure provides a new and unique corrective signal processing algorithm, e.g., known herein as an Optical Sensor with Signal Processing to Correct for Electrical Interference, which combines real-time magnitude and phase information to achieve internal/self-linearity correction for optical sensing. Specifically, any unwanted electrical crosstalk, combined with the desired optical signal, results in a distortion on both the magnitude and phase information, causing signal nonlinearity. However, these distortions are complementary (i.e., meaning their relationships are interrelated), which allows the magnitude and phase information to be combined in a unique way to extract the desired pure optical signal, e.g., by also using the second invention consistent with that set forth herein.

Moreover, the second invention alleviates certain vulnerabilities presented in the corrective signal processing algorithm disclosed herein in relation to the first invention, e.g., by deliberately inducing a moderate inductive crosstalk with optimal phase shift at a specific location on the PCB. The present invention introduces an inductive loop in relation to an electrical component on the PCB of the optical sensor, e.g., such as a photodiode cathode leg of a photodiode of the PCB.

It is noted that the corrective signal processing algorithm can be used with or without the inductive loop so long as the offending electrical crosstalk signal is of sufficient magnitude with a resolvable phase. However, the inductive loop does deliberately increase the crosstalk magnitude thereby allowing a more resolvable phase determination and with a "forced" optimal phase shift - i.e., the inductive loop enhances the efficacy of the corrective signal processing algorithm.

According to some embodiments, the present invention may include, or take the form of, apparatus such as a fluorometer having an optical sensor with a detector including a printed circuit board (PCB) and an inductive loop as defined in claim <NUM>.

Specifically, the PCB includes a photodiode cathode pad with a photodiode, and the inductive loop may be arranged around at least part of the photodiode cathode pad, and configured to receive inductive loop inducing signaling, and provide inductive loop signaling around the at least part of the photodiode cathode pad to provide inductive crosstalk on the PCB in order to allow a corrective signal processing algorithm to reduce or substantially eliminate unwanted electrical interference in electrical photodiode signaling provided from the photodiode.

The apparatus may include one or more of the following additional features:
The inductive loop may include a trace having a route along a signal path from a transistor collector pin around an LED anode pad; and at least one via placed between LED anode pads to route the trace on a top side of the PCB, the trace being routed alongside, near and around the photodiode cathode pad back to the LED anode of the LED anode pad.

The at least one via may include other vias placed along the route around the photodiode cathode pad configured to jump over other <NUM>. 5V bias connections made to other components on the PCB.

The inductive loop may be a <NUM>/<NUM> inductive loop around the photodiode cathode pad.

The apparatus may include, or take the form of, a fluorescence-based optical sensor or fluorometer configured to provide an optical-based water quality sensor.

The photodiode may be configured to receive optical emission signaling Lem emitted by one or more fluorescent-species of interest and provide electrical photodiode signaling having an electrical or photodiode current containing information about the one or more fluorescent-species of interest in the liquid related to a liquid parameter of interest.

The optical sensor may include a signal processor or processing module for implementing a corrective signal processing algorithm, e.g., that is configured at least to:.

The electrical photodiode signaling may take the form of a total measured signal Stot that is the sum of a first contribution Ao plus a second contribution Aeejφ, where.

The signal processor or processing module may be configured at least to:.

The signal processor or processing module is configured at least to:.

According to some embodiments, the present invention may also take the form of an optical sensor having a detector having a printed circuit board (PCB) and a signal processor or processing module.

The printed circuit board (PCB) may include a photodiode cathode pad with a photodiode to receive optical emission signaling Lem emitted by the fluorescent-species of interest and provide electrical photodiode signaling having an electrical or photodiode current containing information about the fluorescent-species of interest in the liquid related to a liquid parameter of interest.

The optical sensor may also include one or more of the features set forth above and herein.

According to some embodiments, and by way of further example, the present invention may include a method featuring steps as defined in claim <NUM>.

The method may also include one or more of the features set forth above.

According to some embodiments, and by way of further example, the present invention may include, or take the form of, an optical sensor having a printed circuit board (PCB) and an inductive loop, as defined in claim <NUM>.

The drawing, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, includes <FIG>, as follows:.

To reduce clutter in the drawing, each Figure in the drawing does not necessarily include every reference label for every element shown therein.

In summary, the present invention alleviates the vulnerabilities presented in the corrective signal processing algorithm by deliberately inducing a moderate inductive crosstalk with optimal phase shift at a specific location on the PCB. For example, if the crosstalk signal is sufficiently large (but not too large) in magnitude (approximately <NUM>-<NUM>% of available analog-to-digital converter range), then the respective signal phase will be well-resolved and provide a stable input into the corrective signal processing. The question becomes: Where is the ideal location for deliberately induced crosstalk? By way of example, and according to some embodiments, the present invention provides the photodiode as an ideal location for deliberately induced crosstalk, since it is the most critical component in the receive side of the circuit (receive side -- meaning any and all circuitry dedicated to receiving and propagating the electro-optical signal). The photodiode receives optical light and returns an electrical current referred to as a photocurrent. Any crosstalk located at either the photodiode or further down the signal chain in the receiving electronics will result in signal nonlinearity. The next question becomes: What type of crosstalk should be deliberately employed? For example, crosstalk can manifest in two primary forms: <NUM>) Capacitive crosstalk which is mediated by the electric field, and <NUM>) Inductive crosstalk, mediated by the magnetic field, e.g., as shown in <FIG>. In the parlance of electrical crosstalk, the "driver" is the electrical line that initiates the crosstalk, and the "victim" is the line or component that is susceptible to the crosstalk initiated.

For a proof-of-concept, a single inductive loop was introduced by lifting the cathode leg of the LED and soldering in its place an electrical jumper in series that makes a single loop around the photodiode cathode leg before terminating on the LED cathode pad. By way of example, and according to some embodiments, the present invention is based upon providing inductive crosstalk, since it is relatively straightforward to implement in a practical application (i.e., easy to perform hand modification) and provides a +<NUM> deg phase shift which is optimal (see Figure).

With the introduction of the inductive loop, the Delta Phase demonstrates a greatly enhanced stability as the Delta Phase parameter is very close to the optimal <NUM> deg and displays minimal variation with multiple signal output adapters. As intended, the Optical Dark Magnitude(s) fall approximately within the desired <NUM>-<NUM>% of available analog-to-digital converter range, and although there is variation in this parameter over multiple SOA(s), this is of little consequence since this parameter has no specific dependence in the corrective signal processing.

Consistent with that set forth in further detail below, the present invention also provides and takes advantage of a corrective signal processing algorithm, entitled "Optical Sensor with Signal Processing to Correct for Electrical Interference," e.g., based upon using equation (<NUM>): <MAT> where Ao is the linear (optical)portion of the signal.

The key element to one aspect of the present invention is the deliberate introduction of the inductive loop, e.g., passing around the photodiode cathode leg of the photodiode.

By way of example, Figure 6B illustrates a PCB layout as one possible embodiment of the inductive loop. Such a layout would provide a consistent inductive (as opposed to a hand-modified loop).

For example, the PCB modification can be realized through a deliberate PCB layout by routing a trace T from the PNP transistor collector pin (U21 in the schematic (<FIG>)) around the LED anode pad (DS1 in the schematic (<FIG>)), and placing a via (e.g., vias are electrical connections between board layers) between the DS1 pads to route on the top side of the PCB. From there, the trace T can be routed alongside the photodiode cathode pad (PD1 in schematic (<FIG>)) as close as possible. Vias to be placed along the route around the photodiode cathode pad to jump over other <NUM>. 5V bias connections made to other components. In total, a ¾ inductive loop around the PD1 cathode pad can be completed before finally connecting the signal path back to the LED anode of the DS1 pad.

Physical systems are most generally non-linear in nature, i.e., the output, or response of the system is generally not simply proportional to the stimulus, or input, as is often desirable. (See <NPL>. ) In order to accommodate real systems, the trend in sensing technologies is broadening its scope. Instead of performing just one type of measurement for one physical parameter, advances are being made which measure and utilize any and all available physical information to make informed decisions. (e.g., see https://hbr. org/<NUM>/<NUM>/how-smart-connected-products-are-transforming-competition. ) This disclosure epitomizes the spirit conveyed in the preceding statement.

The general subject of nonlinear physical systems is too broad to convey the virtue of the present invention, which focuses on the relevant class of physical systems concerning optical-based water quality sensing. Optical-based water quality sensors operate on the principle that can most generally be described as the conversion of light/matter interaction into an electrical signal, usually consisting of either an electrical current or voltage. State of the art sensor technologies rely on electrical circuits that are trending toward ever smaller dimensions which requires that electrically susceptible components (e.g., sensitive receiver electronics) are necessarily placed in close proximity to electrically noisy components creating unwanted electrical interference (or crosstalk). (e.g., see http://www. com/media/en/training-seminars/design-handbooks/Basic-Linear-Design/Chapter12. ) Despite diligent execution of best practices in modern electrical design, optical sensing techniques are still susceptible to electrical interferences resulting in signal nonlinearity. At the same time, the demand in environmental sensing is requiring ever-increasing sensitivity, thereby exacerbating the problems associated with nonlinearity. (e.g., see <NPL>. ) Electrical signals (current or voltage) possess both, magnitude (generalized amplitude) and phase (particular point or stage in the advancement of a cycle). The unwanted electrical interference, combined with the desired optical signal, induces distortion on both the magnitude and phase information. However, these distortions are complementary which, in turn, allows the magnitude and phase information to be combined in a unique way to extract the desired linear portion of the signal. While current art is capable of simultaneous measurement of magnitude and phase, existing sensors typically utilize either the magnitude or the phase, but not both. Furthermore, there is no prior art - that the inventor(s) is aware of - associated with employing combined use of both magnitude and signal phase to achieve linearity correction.

Another aspect of the present invention enables internal/self-linearity correction for fluorescence-based sensors exhibiting a non-linear response by uniquely combining real-time magnitude and phase information, e.g., by implementing the corrective signal processing algorithm set forth below. To determine the system-specific magnitude and phase information, the present invention employs physics-based modeling as a guide. Modeling establishes the correct mathematical arrangement of signal contributions, and once determined, the desired linear contribution from the total signal can be extracted (i.e., solved for) mathematically thereby generating the correct combination (or formula) of magnitude and phase required to achieve linearity.

Fluorescence-based sensing uses a light source (e.g., at a specified optical wavelength) to optically excite the fluorescence species of interest that re-emits optical light (e.g., at a longer optical wavelength) specific to the water parameter of interest. For the physical system composed of fluorometer and electrical interference, the total measured signal, Stot, can be modeled as the sum of all known signal contributions. The first contribution is optical in origin whose signal amplitude, Ao, is independently known (a priori) to have a purely linear response to the concentration of the fluorescence species. The second contribution is an electrical interference signal whose amplitude, Ae, is constant and independent of the measurand and is also known (a priori) to have an overall constant phase shift, φ, with respect to the optical contribution. <FIG> shows a conceptual layout of the linear extraction scheme. These signals can be represented mathematically as: <MAT>.

Identifying real and imaginary components of the total signal Stot yields: <MAT>.

Magnitude, M, and phase, Φ, are constructed as follows: <MAT>.

The explicit forms of the real and imaginary components from equation <NUM>) can be substituted into Equation <NUM>, where the optical amplitude, Ao, can be solved for algebraically as shown in Equation <NUM> below. The corollary for this particular example is that the amplitude of the electrical background, Ae, can be algebraically factored out/eliminated and does not appear in the final expression.

Equation <NUM> is an algebraically-derived expression for Ao, the portion of the signal that has a purely linear response to the concentration of the fluorescence species as predicted optically. Note, Equation <NUM> is dependent only on the measured signal magnitude, M, measured signal phase, Φ, and relative phase offset φ, which is a measurable constant and can be stored into a system calibration. Note that the particular functional form of Equation <NUM> is unique to the specific physical system described above. A detailed description for determining unique magnitude and phase combinations using the corrective signal processing algorithm is further described in relation to <FIG>.

The data presented below in <FIG> and <FIG> represents a real-world, specific implementation of the present invention applied to a fluorescence-based sensor. For this data, serial dilutions were performed to change the concentration of the chosen fluorescence species, where the magnitude and phase response were recorded at each concentration. <FIG> shows and reveals the raw magnitude and signal amplitude that were inputted into the derived magnitude and phase combination, and <FIG> shows and reveals the uncorrected vs. corrected electro-optical signal overlaid for comparison.

Regarding the sensor layout in general: The sensor according to the present invention differs from traditional fluorometers primarily in the details concerning the electrical signal chain and the specific operations applied to the measured magnitude and signal phase. The invention is not restricted to any specific hardware to perform measurement of magnitude and signal phase, nor is it intended to be restrictive to any specific type of signal interference (in this example an electrical interference is identified). Furthermore, the present invention is not intended to be restrictive to any specific hardware (e.g., either a micro-processor or a field programmable gate array (FPGA) could be used) to perform the required operations necessary to realize the uniquely determined magnitude and phase combination.

<FIG> shows a flowchart <NUM> having steps 100a, 100b, 100c and 100d for determining unique magnitude and phase combinations using the corrective signal processing algorithm, e. , showing a physical model 100a, a measurement of magnitude and phase 100b, a mathematical manipulation 100c, and a system specific magnitude and phase combination 100d.

In the physical model step 100a, e.g., fn is the nth signal contribution and αm is the mth independent parameter. Independent parameters include, but not limited to: amplitude, time, frequency, initial and constant phase shifts, measured concentration etc. Note, the model-based approach may predict a functional form other than a simple summation of signal contributions. For example, the model may predict a product series of functions or some other form, dependent on the specific physical system at hand. Further note, the quality of the extracted linear signal may only be as good or valid as the physical model used to derive the magnitude and phase combination. Any unaccounted contributions to the signal may introduce error in the final extracted value.

In the measurement of magnitude and phase step 100b, e.g., the present invention is not restricted to any specific hardware to perform measurement of the signal magnitude or signal phase.

In the mathematical manipulation step 100c, e.g., for the example listed herein, only straight forward algebra is needed to isolate the desired variable. The present invention is not intended to be restrictive to the use of any specific mathematical tool needed to extract linear components from otherwise non-linear signals. In general, techniques involving Calculus, Fourier Analysis, Linear Algebra, Correlation or Convolutions, or any other mathematical tools might be used as needed to isolate the desired parameter.

In the system specific magnitude and phase combination step 100d, e.g., the final expression for the desired combination may necessarily have the following characteristics: The desired variable must ultimately be expressible in terms of measured magnitude, M and measured signal phase ϕ in addition to any identified system constants amenable to system calibration. Important note: Not all physical systems are necessarily soluble. Furthermore, not all soluble systems are expressible in analytic form. In such cases, it may be necessary, for example, to express solutions in terms of series expansions or product expansions to desired order. Important corollary: The disclosed method further permits extraction of components other than linear contributions for example, to identify the offending interference contribution.

<FIG> shows apparatus, including a fluorescence-based sensor or fluorometer <NUM> having an optical sensor <NUM>, that features a light source <NUM>, a detector <NUM> and a signal processor or processing module <NUM>.

The light source <NUM> may be configured to provide excitation light signaling Lex on a liquid having the one or more fluorescent-species of interest.

The detector <NUM> has a printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM> and an inductive loop <NUM>. The PCB <NUM> has a photodiode cathode pad <NUM> with a photodiode <NUM> configured to receive optical emission signaling Lem emitted by the fluorescent-species of interest and provide electrical photodiode signaling having an electrical or photodiode current containing information about the fluorescent-species of interest in the liquid related to a liquid parameter of interest. The inductive loop <NUM> is arranged around at least part of the photodiode cathode pad, and configured to receive inductive loop inducing signaling, and provide inductive loop signaling around the at least part of the photodiode cathode pad to provide inductive crosstalk on the PCB to correct for non-linearity in the electrical photodiode signaling provided.

The signal processor or processing module <NUM> is configured at least to:.

The signal processor or processing module <NUM> includes other signal processor circuits, circuitry, or components <NUM> that do not form part of the underlying invention, e.g., including input/output modules/modems, one or more memory modules (e.g., RAM, ROM, etc.), data, address and control busing architecture, etc..

By way of example, the functionality of the signal processor or processing module <NUM> may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In a typical software implementation, the signal processor <NUM> would include one or more microprocessor-based architectures having, e. , at least one signal processor or microprocessor. One skilled in the art would be able to program with suitable program code such a microcontroller-based, or microprocessor-based, implementation to perform the signal processing functionality disclosed herein without undue experimentation.

The invention is not intended to be limited to any particular implementation using technology either now known or later developed in the future. The invention is intended to include implementing the functionality of the signal processor(s) as stand-alone processor, signal processor, or signal processor module, as well as separate processor or processor modules, as well as some combination thereof.

By way of example, the apparatus <NUM> may also include, e.g., other signal processor circuits or components generally indicated as <NUM>, including random access memory or memory module (RAM) and/or read only memory (ROM), input/output devices and control, and data and address buses connecting the same, and/or at least one input processor and at least one output processor, e.g., which would be appreciate by one skilled in the art.

By way of further example, the signal processor <NUM> may include, or take the form of, some combination of a signal processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, where the signal processor and at least one memory are configured to cause the system to implement the functionality of the present invention, e.g., to respond to signaling received and to determine the corresponding signaling, based upon the signaling received.

The inventor(s) is aware of at least the following related patent documents, as follows:.

There appear to be several patents concerning nonlinearity corrections regarding magnitude and phase, but no patent document that discloses the present invention that the inventor(s) is aware of.

A summary of the major findings is presented below:.

By way of example, the apparatus <NUM> may include the light source <NUM> configured to provide the light Lem (<FIG>) through the liquid sample arranged in relation to the light source <NUM> and the detector <NUM> so as to reflect the light off the fluorescent-species of interest being monitored or tested.

As a person skilled in the art would appreciate, light sources are known in the art, and the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future.

Regarding sensor hardware, the photodiode detector or sensor contains elements which are known in the prior art. By way of example, the sensor hardware may contain single or multiple LEDs at specified excitation wavelengths, suitable to the fluorophore species of interest, and one or more optical receivers (photodetectors or optical spectrum analyzers) employing one or multiple optical bandpass filters, spectrally centered at the specified excitation and or emission wavelengths.

As a person skilled in the art would appreciate, sensor hardware is known in the art, and the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future.

As a person skilled in the art would appreciate, a fluorophore is a fluorescent chemical compound that can re-emit light upon excitation. Fluorophores typically contain several combined aromatic groups, or planar or cyclic molecules with π bonds.

By way of example, fluorophores are sometimes used as a tracer in fluids, as a dye for staining of certain structures, as a substrate of enzymes, or as a probe or indicator (when fluorescence is affected by environmental aspects such as polarity or ions).

The invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind of fluorophore either now known or later developed in the future.

The present invention has applications, e.g., in the basic parameter of water quality monitoring for freshwater applications, as well as drinking water monitoring.

Claim 1:
An optical sensor (<NUM>) having a detector (<NUM>), comprising:
a printed circuit board (<NUM>), referred to hereinafter as PCB, having a photodiode (<NUM>) with a photodiode cathode pad (<NUM>), configured to sense an optical signal and provide electrical signaling containing information about the optical signal sensed;
characterized by
an inductive loop (<NUM>) arranged around at least part of the photodiode cathode pad (<NUM>), and configured to receive inductive loop inducing signaling, and increase inductive loop signaling around the at least part of the photodiode cathode pad (<NUM>) to increase inductive crosstalk on the PCB (<NUM>) in order to allow a corrective signal processing algorithm to reduce or substantially eliminate unwanted electrical interference in the electrical signaling provided from the photodiode (<NUM>).