Patent attributes
Rapid-data-transfer sensor arrays include a controller and a plurality of sensor integrated circuits (ICs) connected in series and configured to periodically take measurements and provide measurement data to the controller as serial data. A sensor IC includes a transducer, a shift register, a serial-data-in (SDI) pin, a serial-data-out (SDO) pin, a clock pin, and a bi-directional start/done (ST/DN) pin. The sensor IC includes a power regulation circuit configured to selectively supply power for a sleep mode and an active mode for recording data and an internal shift register. When finished with the measurement, the sensor IC is configured to provide measurement data to the shift register for transfer to the controller. The controller is configured to initiate serial transfer of data from each of the shift registers of the first plurality of sensor ICs to the controller. Examples include a 2D array.
