Trade-Offs in Sensor Systems Design: A Tutorial

In this tutorial, we discuss trade-offs in sensor system design. With examples from engineered systems in our laboratories, we address design considerations at the different system levels, from the choice of a particular sensor to the signal conditioning circuits, the choice of data converter, and data communication physical interfaces. Fundamental concepts from communication and information theory, as well as practical considerations applied to specific case studies, are presented for sensor readout systems. In particular, we address both fundamental trade-offs such as choice of signal representation for signal conditioning and conversion, as well as practical and technological trade-offs such as place of quantization (signal data conversion) application demands and integration technologies. The tutorial deals with what is commonly referred to as the Analog Front End (AFE) up to the point where the physical signal is represented in digital symbols. Although the discussion focuses on all the processing steps of the AFE, a more system-level approach is further explored, including stand-alone system approaches and system communication. Major system trade-offs during system design are discussed, providing important methodology insights towards the design of sensory systems operating within demanding constraints.