DE102018105283A1 - Device and method for the transferless control of an ultrasonic transducer with signals having an amplitude above twice the supply voltage amplitude - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a transformer-free operating circuit for controlling a transducer (TR), which has a capacitive energy store (C _DRV ) and an inductive energy store (L _DRV ).

Description

preamble

The invention is directed to a transformerless operating circuit for an ultrasonic transducer (TR).

General introduction

In the course of developing driver assistance systems for autonomous driving, sensor systems for detecting the environmental situation are of particular importance. Ultrasonic sensors are already being used today to create so-called environmental maps. A recurrent problem is the desire to maximize reach while keeping costs low. In the past, transducers were used to drive the piezoelectric transducers of ultrasonic transducers. However, this should be omitted for cost reasons. In the prior art, this results in a limitation of the amplitude of the voltage of the transducer oscillation at the transducer terminals to twice the operating voltage. Where here by operating voltage, the supply voltage of the output driver stage is understood. This, in turn, can significantly exceed the voltage applied to the input of the system with a charge pump or similar methods. This problem is addressed by this disclosure.

State of the art

The prior art is using the unclaimed 1 explained. The 1 shows schematically and simplified the driver stage for a prior art ultrasonic transducer. Since the invention deals only with the drive of the piezoelectric vibrating element of a transducer, the following also applies to ultrasonic transmitters with a piezoelectric vibrating element.

An operating voltage ( V _asked ) is connected via a backup capacitor ( C _asked ), which is typically chosen to be relatively large.

In a drive phase, the transducer ( TR ).

In a first phase of the drive phase, the fifth transistor ( T ₅ ) through. The positive connection ( TR + ) of the transducer ( TR ) is then in this first phase via the driver output resistance ( R _DRV ) with the operating voltage ( V _asked ) connected. At the same time, the first transistor ( T ₁ ) and the fourth transistor ( T ₄ ) through. This will increase the driver capacity ( C _DRV ) with its first connection ( C _p ) with the operating voltage ( V _asked ) and with its second connection ( C _m ) with the reference potential ( GND ). The third transistor ( T ₃ ) and the second transistor ( T ₂ ) are locked in this first phase.

In a second phase of the drive phase, the fifth transistor ( T ₅ ) and the first transistor ( T ₁ ) and the fourth transistor ( T ₄ ) blocked. Instead, in this second phase, the second transistor ( T ₂ ) and the third transistor ( T ₃ ) through in this second phase. As a result, the voltage previously applied to the voltage of the operating voltage ( V _asked ) loaded driver capacity ( C _DRV ) with its first connection ( C _p ) with the reference potential ( GND ) and with your second port ( C _m ) with the driver output ( DRV ) connected. The driver output thereby performs a voltage jump by twice the amount of the voltage of the operating voltage ( V _asked ) below the potential of the reference potential ( GND ).

The first and second phases of the drive phases now preferably alternate with the resonant frequency of the transducer circuit, consisting of the driver output resistance ( R _DRV ), the transducer capacity ( C _DRV ) and the transducer ( TR ). As a result, the piezoelectric vibrating element of the transducer ( TR ) vibrated.

After the activation phase, the reception phase follows. In this case, at least the fifth transistor ( T ₅ ) and the third transistor ( T ₃ ) blocked. As a result, no energy is transferred to the transducer.

A disadvantage of the circuit of 1 is that the maximum amplitude of the operating voltage of the transducer at the positive transducer terminal ( TR + ) and at the negative transducer connection ( TR -) to twice the amount of the voltage of the operating voltage ( V _asked ) is limited.

2 shows a known from the prior art equivalent circuit diagram for an ultrasonic transducer ( TR ). The equivalent circuit diagram has a parallel capacity ( C _TRp ), a series resistor ( R _TRs ), a series capacity ( C _TRs ) and a series inductance ( L _TRs ) on. The ultrasound transducer is connected via a positive connection ( TR + ) and a negative connection ( TR -) connected. The terms "positive connection ( TR + ) "And" negative connection ( TR -) "serve here only for better orientation and have no physical background.

Object of the invention

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a solution that the above Disadvantage of the prior art does not have and has other advantages.

This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1.

Solution of the task

In an operating circuit of the type described above, the object is achieved in that an output inductance ( V _DRV ) into the connecting lead of the transducer ( TR ) is inserted.

In working out the invention, it has been recognized that the third-order oscillatory system, which is characterized by the driver output resistance ( R _DRV ), the transducer capacity ( C _TR ) and the transducer is formed, is unfavorable for the operation and that although it is more complex, but cheaper to use a vibratory system of fourth order.

The transducer in the 1 can, as already described, by an equivalent circuit diagram of a series connection of a series capacity ( C _TRs ) with a series inductance ( L _TRs ) and a parallel capacity ( C _TRp ) being represented. A series resistor ( R _TRs ) represents the mechanical losses and the acoustic radiation of the transducer ( TR ). The voltage across this series resistor ( R _s ) should be maximized to maximize the range of an ultrasonic parking aid. The parallel capacity ( C _TRp ) is typically determined by the transducer external transducer capacitance ( C _TR ) dominates. Thus, the transducer ( TR ) via a series and a parallel resonance. The series resonance is produced by the series resonant circuit of series capacity ( C _TRs ) and series inductance ( L _TRs ) and to a lesser extent by the series resistance ( R _TRs ) and thus determines the sound radiation.

It is now the idea by another energy storage to create another pole. For this, it has been recognized that it is beneficial, in series with the driver output resistance ( R _DRV ) an additional output inductance ( L _DRV ). This output inductance ( L _DRV ) forms with the transducer capacity ( C _DRV ) has a second series resonant circuit at its output via the positive transducer terminal ( TR + ) the series resonant circuit of the transducer ( TR ) connected. (For simplicity, we assume here that the transducer capacitance ( C _DRV ) and the parallel capacity ( C _TRp ) of the transducer ( TR ) by the transducer capacity ( C _DRV ) are well represented). Possibly. so here's the term transducer capacity ( C _DRV ) by the parallel connection of transducer capacitance ( C _DRV ) and parallel capacity ( C _TRp ) of the transducer ( TR ) to replace. However, we assume that the transducer capacity ( C _DRV ) is much larger than the parallel capacity ( C _TRp ) of the transducer ( TR ).

The output inductance (LDRV), the transducer capacitance ( C _DRV ), the serial capacity of the transducer ( TR ) and the series inductance of the transducer ( TR ) thus form a vibratory system of fourth order.

1. 1. „Ausgangsinduktivität (LDRV)“,
2. 2. „Transducer-Kapazität (C_DRV )“,
3. 3. „Serienkapazität des Transducers (TR)“ und
4. 4. „Serieninduktivität des Transducers (TR)“

aufweisen kann:

1. a. Die Serienschwingkreise des Systems können unterkritisch gekoppelt sein.
2. b. Die Serienschwingkreise des Systems können überkritisch gekoppelt sein.
3. c. Die Serienschwingkreise des Systems können kritisch gekoppelt sein.

It has now been recognized that the fourth order oscillatory system has three operational cases depending on the choice of components

1. 1. "output inductance (LDRV)",
2. 2. "transducer capacity ( C _DRV ) "
3. 3. "Serial capacity of the transducer ( TR )" and
4. 4. "series inductance of the transducer ( TR ) "

can have:

1. a. The series resonant circuits of the system can be subcritically coupled.
2. b. The series resonant circuits of the system can be coupled supercritically.
3. c. The series resonant circuits of the system can be critically coupled.

It has been recognized that subcritical coupling is not optimal for the system, because then the bandwidth of the system becomes too large and thereby too much noise is picked up by the system.

It has further been recognized that supercritical coupling is also not optimal for the system, because damping is applied in the working frequency range and thus the maximum amplitude of vibration of the transducer is reduced and thus the range of an ultrasound-based parking aid is reduced on this basis.

It was further recognized that for the system a critical coupling is also optimal, because then the resonant circuits have the optimum bandwidth.

The output inductance ( L _DRV ) must therefore have a defined inductance and quality, which causes this case of critical coupling.

The output inductance ( L _DRV ) is characterized in that, together with the transducer capacity ( C _DRV ) forms a series resonant circuit. Since it is a fourth-order system, it is recommended that the poles be determined by a suitable numerical approximation in dependence.

The area of critical coupling is an operating point that can never be exactly met due to manufacturing tolerances of the various components. Therefore, the resonance frequency of the series resonance of the transducer ( TR ) never more than 3dB next to the maximum of the frequency-dependent impedance of output inductance ( L _DRV ), Transducer capacity ( C _DRV ) plus parallel capacity ( C _TRp ) of the transducer ( TR ), Serial capacity of the transducer ( TR ) and series inductance of the transducer ( TR ) lie. The transducers ( TR ) have a frequency bandwidth of typically +/- 1 kHz. These transducer frequencies should therefore preferably deviate by no more than 3dB from the optimum in the expected oscillation amplitude. About the driver output resistance ( R _DRV ), the bandwidth and the output inductance ( L _DRV ) set the frequency of the oscillation.

It is thus an operating circuit for an ultrasonic transducer ( TR ) proposed, the one drive circuit, here for example consisting of the backup capacitor ( C _asked ), the transistors ( T ₁ . T ₂ . T ₃ . T ₄ . T ₅ ), and one to the transducer ( TR ) parallel transducer capacity ( C _TR ) having. The drive circuit furthermore has a first connection ( GND ) a second port ( DRV ) on. The drive circuit has a driver output resistance ( R _DRV ) on. This driver output resistance ( R _DRV ) is in the 1 and 3 discreetly drawn. However, the parasitic resistances of the transistors can be added to the value of this driver output resistance ( R _DRV ) contribute. The driver output resistance ( R _DRV ) can therefore be wholly or partially by the output resistance of the drive circuit at its second output ( DRV ), the internal resistances of the transistors, that is to say the output resistance of the drive circuit, can also be represented by an additional driver output resistance which is connected in series with the second output (FIG. DRV ) of the drive circuit is connected to the actual driver output resistance ( R _DRV ). The 1 and 3 are therefore to be understood as simplified symbolic representations in order to clarify the principle of action.

The capacity C _TR can through the in the transducer TR existing capacitance and need not be present as a discrete element in the circuit. The 1 and 3 are therefore to be understood as simplified symbolic representations in order to clarify the principle of action.

A positive connection ( TR + ) of the transducer ( TR ) is so with the second port ( DRV ) of the drive circuit, that the driver output resistance ( R _DRV ) than between the positive connection ( TR + ) of the transducer ( TR ) and the second connection ( DRV ) of the drive circuit can be considered switched. A negative connection ( TR -) of the transducer ( TR ) is connected to the first port ( GND ) of the drive circuit connected.

It is now claimed that an output inductance ( L _DRV ) than between the positive connection ( TR + ) of the transducer ( TR ) and the second connection ( DRV ) of the drive circuit in series with the driver output resistance ( R _DRV ) can be considered switched. It is further claimed that the value of the output inductance ( L _DRV ) is dimensioned so that the two series resonant circuits are critically coupled. Hereby, on the one hand as the first resonant circuit of the series resonant circuit of series inductance of the equivalent circuit diagram of the transducer ( TR ) and series capacity of the equivalent circuit of the transducer ( TR ) on the one hand and on the other hand as a second oscillating circuit the series resonant circuit of output inductance ( L _DRV ) and the parallel connection of transducer capacitance ( C _TR ) and parallel capacity ( C _TRp ) of the equivalent circuit of the transducer ( TR ), which are critically linked.

The term "critical coupling" has been discussed above with a frequency deviation of less than +/- 3dB in terms of impedance change. If a circuit is in this area, it is critically coupled in the sense of this disclosure.

Particularly noteworthy is that the operating circuit can be provided after the end of a drive phase the transducer with an AC amplitude between its positive terminal ( TR + ) and its negative connection ( TR -), which has a peak-to-peak value, which at the beginning of the decay phase in the temporal connection to the drive phase of the transducer ( TR ) amounts to more than twice the amount of the voltage of the operating voltage ( V _asked ) against a reference potential ( GND ) is.

The preferred operating circuit for a transducer ( TR ) thus has a capacitive energy storage ( C _DRV ) and an inductive energy storage ( L _DRV ) to be able to generate this level.

• • Bereitstellen eines Transducers (TR);
• • Koppeln des Transducers (TR) mit der Mittenanzapfung (TR+) eines Serienschwingkreises aus einer Ausgangsinduktivität (L_DRV ) und einer Transducer-Kapazität (C_TR ) und mit einem Bezugspotenzial (GND), wobei der Serienschwingkreis (L_DRV , C_TR ) ebenfalls mit dem Bezugspotenzial gekoppelt ist;
• • Wahl des Werts der Ausgangsinduktivität (L_DRV ) und des Werts der Transducer-Kapazität (C_TR ) in der Art, dass die Kopplung zwischen dem Serienresonanzkreis des Transducers (TR), bestehend aus dessen Serieninduktivität und dessen Serienkapazität einerseits und dem Serienresonanzkreis bestehend aus der Ausgangsinduktivität (L_DRV ) und der Parallelschaltung aus Transducer-Kapazität (C_DRV ) und Parallelkapazität (C_TRp ) des Transducers (TR) andererseits, kritisch ist;
• • Ansteuerung der beiden gekoppelten Serienresonanzkreise mit einer Wechselspannung, wobei die Spitze-zu-Spitze Spannung der zur Ansteuerung genutzten Wechselspannung in zumindest einem Zeitraum kleiner ist als die messbare Wechselspannung zwischen einem ersten Anschluss (TR+) und einem zweiten Anschluss (TR-) des Transducers (TR).

This operating circuit corresponds to a method for operating a transducer ( TR ) with the steps

• Providing a transducer ( TR );
• Coupling the transducer ( TR ) with the center tap ( TR + ) of a series resonant circuit from an output inductance ( L _DRV ) and one Transducer capacity ( C _TR ) and with a reference potential ( GND ), wherein the series resonant circuit ( L _DRV . C _TR ) is also coupled to the reference potential;
• • Selection of the value of the output inductance ( L _DRV ) and the value of the transducer capacity ( C _TR ) in such a way that the coupling between the series resonant circuit of the transducer ( TR ), consisting of its series inductance and its series capacity on the one hand and the series resonant circuit consisting of the output inductance ( L _DRV ) and the parallel connection of transducer capacitance ( C _DRV ) and parallel capacity ( C _TRp ) of the transducer ( TR ) on the other hand, is critical;
• Controlling the two coupled series resonant circuits with an AC voltage, wherein the peak-to-peak voltage of the AC voltage used for driving in at least a period of time is smaller than the measurable AC voltage between a first terminal ( TR + ) and a second connection ( TR -) of the transducer ( TR ).

advantage

By the proposed operating circuit vibration levels above the double operating voltage level possible without having to resort to a transformer. The advantages are not limited to this.

Description of the other figures

FIG. 4

4 shows the voltage curve for an ultrasonic transducer of the voltage between the positive terminal ( TR + ) of the transducer ( TR ) and the negative connection ( TR -) of the transducer ( TR -) from the prior art during a so-called burst pulse. It can be clearly seen that / how the activation phase in the transducer ( TR ) is excited with the square wave signal and the subsequent swinging out.

FIG. 5

5 shows the decay of the transducer ( TR ) in the same circuit as the one of 4 with the difference that now according to the difference between 1 and 3 an output inductance ( L _DRV ) into the supply line of the transducer ( TR ) and that their value has been determined such that the coupling between the series resonant circuit of series capacitance ( C _TRs ) and series inductance ( L _TRs ) of the transducer ( TR ) on the one hand, and the series resonant peak of output inductance (LDRV) and transducer capacitance ( C _DRV ) and parallel capacity ( C _TRp ) of the transducer ( TR ) on the other hand is critical. In the exemplary experimental set-up in which these oscillations were recorded, a peak-to-peak value ( V _SS ) of 31.4V ( 3 ), which is significantly above the 12V of the construction of the 4 ( 1 ) lies. The corresponding voltage levels of the peak values are again shown as dashed lines.

FIG. 6

6 shows the conditions particularly well.

In 6a is the voltage at the transducer ( TR ) between positive transducer connection ( TR + ) and negative transducer connection ( TR -) (HIDDEN) against the reference potential ( GND ) in the case WITHOUT additional output inductance ( L _DRV ). In 6a is also the voltages at the transducer ( TR ) between positive transducer connection ( TR + ) and negative transducer connection ( TR -) (TRANSFERRED) against the reference potential ( GND ) for the case with additional output inductance ( L _DRV ).

In 6b is the acoustic impulse that propagates within the electric transducer model ( 2 ) as a voltage across the series resistor ( R _TRs ). These are simulation curves. Dashed again is the level without output inductance ( L _DRV ), the level with output inductance ( L _DRV ). At optimum conditions, a ratio of 1: 4 results for the acoustic output voltage without output inductance ( L _DRV ) to the level with output inductance ( L _DRV ).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

AMP

Receiver amplifier;

C _AING

Coupling capacity for the negative pole of the received signal;

C _AINS

Coupling capacity for the positive pole of the received signal;

C _asked

Supporting capacitor for the operating voltage ( V _asked );

C _DRV

Drive capacity;

_EMC

Auxiliary capacity;

C _m

Output of the right half-bridge ( T ₃ . T ₄ );

C _P

Exit of the left half bridge ( T ₁ . T ₂ );

C _TR

Transducer capacitance;

C _TRp

Parallel capacity in the equivalent circuit diagram ( 2 ) of the transducer ( TR );

C _TRs

Series capacity in the equivalent circuit diagram ( 2 ) of the transducer ( TR );

DRV

Driver output;

GND

Reference potential;

L _DRV

additional output inductance for adjusting the critical resonance case of the fourth-order oscillatory system from transducer capacitance ( C _TR ), Transducer ( TR ), ohmic output resistance ( R _DRV ) and output inductance ( L _DRV );

L _TRs

Series inductance in the equivalent circuit diagram ( 2 ) of the transducer ( TR );

R _DRV

ohmic output resistance of the driver circuit (driver output inverter) for setting the bandwidth;

R _TRs

Series resistance in the equivalent circuit diagram ( 2 ) of the transducer ( TR );

SdT

State of the art;

t

Time;

T ₁

first transistor (high-side transistor) of the left half-bridge ( T ₁ . T ₂ ) between the operating voltage ( V _asked ) and the reference potential ( GND ) with output C _p ;

T ₂

second transistor (low-side transistor) of the left half-bridge ( T ₁ . T ₂ );

T ₃

third transistor (high-side transistor) of the right half-bridge ( T ₃ . T ₄ ) between the driver output ( DRV ) and the reference potential ( GND ) with output C _m ;

T ₄

fourth transistor (low-side transistor) of the right half-bridge ( T ₃ . T ₄ ) between the driver output ( DRV ) and the reference potential ( GND ) with output C _m ;

T ₅

fifth transistor of the driver circuit;

TR

transducer;

TR

negative connection of the transducer ( TR ) to the reference potential ( GND ). The term "negative" is used for descriptive purposes only to indicate the connection from the other port, the positive transducer port ( TR + ) to be clearly distinguished in this description;

TR +

positive connection of the transducer ( TR ) to the driver output ( DRV ) via the driver output resistance ( R _DRV ) and the output inductance ( L _DRV ). The term "positive" is selected for purposes of illustration only to indicate the connection from the other port, the negative transducer port ( TR -) to be clearly distinguished in this description;

V _asked

Operating voltage;

V _SS

Peak-to-peak value of the voltage between the positive transducer terminal ( TR + ) of the transducer ( TR ) and the negative transducer connection ( TR -) of the transducer ( TR );

Claims (3)

Transformer-free operating circuit for controlling a transducer (TR) characterized in that - it has a capacitive energy storage (C _DRV ) and an inductive energy storage (L _DRV ). Operating circuit for a transducer (TR) after Claim 1 - With a drive circuit (C _bat , T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₃ , T ₄ , T ₅ ) and - with a transducer capacitance (C _TR ), - wherein the drive circuit has a first terminal (GND) and - Drive circuit has a second terminal (DRV) and - wherein the drive circuit has a driver output resistance (R _DRV ), which is also wholly or partially by the output resistance of the drive circuit at its second output (DRV) and / or an additional driver output resistance, in series with their second output is connected, and - wherein a positive terminal (TR +) of the transducer (TR) is so connected to the second terminal (DRV) of the drive circuit that the driver output resistance (R _DRV ) is effective than between the positive terminal (TR +) the transducer (TR) and the second terminal (DRV) of the drive circuit can be considered switched, and - wherein a negative terminal (TR-) of the transducer (TR) with the first A terminal (GND) of the drive circuit, characterized in that - the operating circuit has an output inductance (L _DRV ) which is effectively connected between the positive terminal (TR +) of the transducer (TR) and the second terminal (DRV) of the drive circuit in series with the driver output resistance (R _DRV ) can be considered, and that the value of this output inductance (L _DRV ) is such that • a first series _resonant circuit of series inductance (L _TRs ) of the equivalent circuit of the transducer (TR) and series capacitance (C _TRs ) of the equivalent circuit of the transducer (TR) and • that of a second series _resonant circuit output impedance (L _DRV ) and the parallel circuit of transducer capacitance (C _TR ) and parallel capacitance (C _TRp ) of the equivalent circuit of the transducer (TR) are critically coupled. Operating circuit for a transducer (TR) after Claim 1 or 2 characterized in that - after the end of a drive phase, the operating circuit is intended to operate the transducer (TR) with an AC amplitude between the positive terminal (TR +) of the transducer (TR) and the negative terminal (TR-) of the transducer (TR) which has a peak-to-peak value which is more than twice the magnitude of the voltage of the operating voltage (V _bat ) versus a reference potential (GND) at the beginning of the decay phase of the transducer (TR).

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