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Title

Lock-in amplifier with optimal noise suppression

Reference

TODE20210601002

Last update

Tue, Jun, 15, 2021

Deadline

Wed, Jun, 15, 2022

Abstract

A German university offers a technology concept for a lock-in amplifier which offers optimum noise suppression and allows for the measurement of weak signals on a noisy background. Applications are in laboratories, semiconductor and healthcare industry. License agreements are offered combined with technical cooperation for further development.

Description

Lock-in amplifiers are firmly anchored in everyday research. They offer excellent noise suppression for repeating signals. The degree of suppression, however, depends critically on the low-pass filter at the end of the signal processing chain. Until now, simple narrow-band filters are generally used which have an infinite settling time and a suboptimal capability of supressing a white noise background (Fig. 1, showing 6dB, 12dB, 18dB, and 24dB resistor capacitator (RC)-filters).

A German university strives to overcome these problems. They are developing soft rectangle filters that offer a finite settling time and probably the best root mean square (RMS) spectral width for a desired suppression of a white noise background (Fig. 2). Reaching the same noise levels, these filters considerably cut down measurement times. Fig. 3 compares output of a lock-in amplifier using the new soft rectangle filter with a standard 24 dB RC filter after a switching event. The soft rectangle filter shows a 1.52 improvement in settling time. Even a factor of up to 2.3 compared with a first-order RC-filter and a factor of up to 3.4 compared with a fourth-order Butterworth-filter can be obtained (for a typical 99%-settling time).

Moreover, the finite settling time completely eliminates contaminations of the measured data point by a previous data point. The dramatic speedup of measurements will result in a more economic use of expensive lab equipment and personnel and allow for the measurement of even weaker signals on a noise background.

Lock-in amplifiers are widespread in general laboratory environments, the semiconductor industry, and healthcare as a growing market for their use . A lock-in amplifier device that provides the soft-rectangle window for cutting down measurement times will certainly have a clear advantage over the standard RC-filters. Thus there is good market potential a lock-in amplifier with an improved signal-to-noise ratio.

The technology is at concept stage. Partners from healthcare or semiconductor industry with an interest in integrating the solution are sought for licensing and technical cooperation for the further development of the solution.

Technology Keywords

Data Processing / Data Interchange, Middleware;Signal Processing;Measurement devices;Detection and Analysis methods;Acoustic Technology related to measurements

Keyword Codes:

01003008;01006009;02009018;08002001;09001001

Current Stage of Development

Intellectual Property Rights

Patent(s) applied for but not yet granted

IPR Comments:

A German patent application was filed, international applications are still possible

Exploitation of RTD Results

Organisation/Company Type

Organisation/Company Size

Organisation Comments

Detailed Market Application Codes (VEIC)

MA Keyword

Data processing, analysis and input services;Industrial measurement and sensing equipment

MA Keyword Codes:

02006004;08002002

Application Domain Description:

Collaboration Type

Comments:

Industrial licensees are sought who would like to implement the technology in their sectors, i.e., semiconductor and healthcare industry as well as laboratories. As the technology is still at concept stage, further development is required. Thus there is an opportunity for joint further development according to partner requirements within a technical cooperation.

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