Combined inductive sensing and capacitive sensing
A sense unit for inductive sensing or capacitive sensing is described. The sense unit may include a first terminal coupled to a first node, a first electrode coupled to the first node, and a second terminal. The sense unit may include a second electrode coupled to the second terminal. In a first mode, a first signal is received at the first terminal and a second signal is output on the second terminal, where the second signal may be representative of a capacitance of the sense unit. The sense unit may include an inductive coil. The sense unit may include a first capacitor. The inductive coil and the first capacitor are coupled in parallel between the first node and ground. In a second mode, a third signal is received at the first terminal and a fourth signal is output on the second terminal.
1. A combined sensing circuit comprising:
a first electrode coupled to a first terminal;
a resonant circuit coupled between the first electrode and the first terminal; and
a second electrode coupled to a second terminal, wherein:
the first and second electrodes form a variable capacitance in a first mode when a transmit signal from a signal generator coupled to the first terminal is less than a resonant frequency of the resonant circuit,
the first and second electrodes form a variable inductor in a second mode when the transmit signal from the signal generator coupled to the first terminal is equal to the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit, and
the second electrode is for receiving a first receive (RX) signal from the first electrode in the first mode and for receiving a second RX signal from the first electrode in the second mode.
2. The combined sensing circuit of claim 1 wherein the variable capacitance is a mutual capacitance formed between the first and second electrodes.
3. The combined sensing circuit of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode forms an inductive coil.
4. The combined sensing circuit of claim 3 , wherein a magnetic field is generated on the inductive coil in response to the transmit signal in the second mode.
5. The combined sensing circuit of claim 4 , wherein an object proximate to the inductive coil induces an Eddy current that opposes the magnetic field, wherein the Eddy current changes an inductance of the variable inductor, represented by the second RX signal.
6. The combined sensing circuit of claim 3 , further comprising a capacitor coupled in series with the inductive coil.
7. The combined sensing circuit of claim 3 , wherein the signal generator is a pulse with modulator (PWM).
8. The combined sensing circuit of claim 7 , wherein a charge measurement circuit coupled to the second electrode is configured to output a value representative of a capacitance between the first and second electrodes in the first mode and is configured to output a value representative of an inductance of the first and second electrodes in the second mode.
9. The combined sensing circuit of claim 7 , wherein a charge measurement circuit has a first configuration in the first mode and a second configuration in the second mode.
10. The combined sensing circuit of claim 7 , wherein the TX signal comprises:
a first TX signal in a first mode; and
a second TX signal in the second mode, wherein the second TX signal is shifted approximately 90 degrees relative to a phase of the first TX signal.
11. A method comprising:
generating, by a first signal generator, a first transmit (TX) signal;
applying the TX signal to a first electrode of a sensing unit in a first mode;
receiving a first receive (RX) signal at a second electrode of the sensing unit in response to the TX signal being applied at the first electrode;
measuring, by a measurement circuit, the first RX signal at the second electrode in the first mode, wherein the first RX signal is indicative of a capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode;
generating, by a second signal generator, a second TX signal, wherein the second TX signal is an alternating current (AC) signal;
applying the second TX signal to the first electrode of the sensing unit in a second mode;
receiving a second RX signal at the second electrode of the sensing unit in response to the second TX signal, wherein the sense unit is to operate as a variable capacitor in the first mode when a first frequency of the first TX is below or above a resonant frequency of the resonant circuit, and wherein the sense unit is to operate as a variable inductor in the second mode when a second frequency of the second TX signal is at the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit to excite the resonant circuit; and
measuring, by the measurement circuit, the second TX signal at the second electrode in the second mode, wherein the second TX signal is indicative of an inductance of the variable inductor, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are common to the first mode and the second mode.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising determining that a capacitive object is proximate to the first electrode or the second electrode when the first RX signal changes, wherein a change in the first RX signal is indicative of a change in the capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode.
13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising determining that a ferrous metal object or a non-ferrous metal object is proximate to the inductive coil electrode when the second RX signal changes, wherein a change in the second RX signal is indicative of a change in inductance at the inductor.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the second TX signal is phase shifted by 90 degrees relative to the first TX signal.