Enhanced Active Electrode with Adaptive Chopper Modulation for Improved Signal Quality

An improved active electrode system for sensing electric potential differences, featuring adaptive chopper modulation to minimize flicker noise and optimize signal quality.

The original patent disclosed an active electrode having a closed-loop unit-gain amplifier with chopper modulation. However, the modulation frequency was fixed, which limited the system's ability to adapt to varying noise conditions. The new inventive concept addresses this limitation by introducing dynamically adjustable modulation frequencies to optimize signal quality and minimize noise.

The enhanced active electrode system comprises an electrode for sensing bio-potentials, a shield placed adjacent to and electrically insulated from the electrode, and a closed-loop unit-gain amplifier with adaptive chopper modulation. The amplifier operates at a frequency higher than the corner frequency, minimizing flicker noise and improving signal quality. The modulation frequency is dynamically adjustable to optimize signal quality and minimize noise. The system also includes a method for reducing noise in the electric field sensor by applying a modulation signal to the bio-potential signal at a frequency greater than the corner frequency, thereby shifting the noise spectrum and reducing low-frequency flicker noise.

The new inventive concept introduces adaptive chopper modulation, which allows the system to dynamically adjust the modulation frequency to optimize signal quality and minimize noise. This is a significant improvement over the original patent's fixed modulation frequency, as it enables the system to adapt to varying noise conditions and provides better signal quality.

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include using different types of amplifiers or modulation techniques, such as pulse-width modulation or amplitude-shift keying. Additionally, the system could be implemented using different materials or fabrication techniques to improve its performance and reliability.

The enhanced active electrode system has potential commercial applications in various industries, including medical devices, biomedical research, and industrial sensing. The system's improved signal quality and noise reduction capabilities make it an attractive solution for applications requiring high-fidelity sensing of electric potential differences.