Apparatus for Sensor with Configurable Coil and Associated Methods

Abstract

An apparatus includes a network of switchable coils suspended in a magnetic field, wherein a topology of the network of switchable coils may be configured to change at least one characteristic of a sensor, and an optical detector to detect displacement of the coil in response to a stimulus. The apparatus further includes a feedback circuit coupled to the optical detector and to the network of switchable coils.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a network of switchable coils suspended in a magnetic field, wherein a topology of the network of switchable coils may be configured to change at least one characteristic of a sensor;   an optical detector to detect displacement of the coil in response to a stimulus; and   a feedback circuit coupled to the optical detector and to the network of switchable coils.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic of the sensor comprises a gain of the sensor, a full-scale range of the sensor, or a coil configuration of the sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the network of switchable coils comprises a plurality of coils coupled to a plurality of switches. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising a controller coupled to control the plurality of switches in the network of switchable coils. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the controller comprises a microcontroller unit (MCU). 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the topology of the network of switchable coils may be configured so that the plurality of coils are coupled in series. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the topology of the network of switchable coils may be configured so that the plurality of coils are coupled in parallel. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of coils comprises two coils, and wherein the plurality of switches comprises two switches arranged as a double-pole double-throw (DPDT) switch. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of coils comprises two coils, and wherein the plurality of switches comprises three single-pole single-throw (SPST) switches. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of coils comprises two coils, and wherein the plurality of switches comprises four single-pole single-throw (SPST) switches. 
     
     
         11 . A system, comprising:
 a sensor, comprising:
 a plurality of switchable coils suspended in a magnetic field; 
 an optical detector to detect displacement of the plurality of switchable coils in response to a stimulus; and 
 a feedback circuit coupled to the optical detector and to the coil; and 
 a controller coupled to the plurality of switchable coils to couple the plurality of coils in a series configuration or in a parallel configuration. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein coupling the plurality of coils in a series configuration increases a sensitivity of the sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein coupling the plurality of coils in a parallel configuration increases a full-scale range of the sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 11 , further comprising a host coupled to the controller to provide information used by the controller to couple the plurality of coils in the series configuration or in the parallel configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the controller comprises a microcontroller unit (MCU). 
     
     
         16 . A method of operating a sensor comprising a network of switchable coils suspended in a magnetic field, an optical detector to detect displacement of the coil in response to a stimulus, and a feedback circuit coupled to the detector and to the network of switchable coils, the method comprising configuring a topology of the network of switchable coils to change at least one characteristic of the sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one characteristic of the sensor comprises a gain of the sensor, a full-scale range of the sensor, or a coil configuration of the sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the network of switchable coils comprises a plurality of coils coupled to a plurality of switches. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein configuring the topology of the network of switchable coils to change at least one characteristic of the sensor further comprises using a microcontroller unit (MCU). 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein configuring the topology of the network of switchable coils to change at least one characteristic of the sensor further comprises controlling the switches to couple the plurality of the coils in a series or in a parallel configuration.