A 12-bit high-precision Microcontroller Unit (MCU) manages 126 sensing nodes through a sophisticated process of time-division multiplexing. Instead of wiring every node individually, the MCU creates a grid where it cyclically powers 16 horizontal electrodes while simultaneously reading data from 8 vertical analog channels.
The core logic of this system relies on rapidly isolating specific intersections of the sensor grid. By powering only one horizontal line at a time, the MCU prevents electrical crosstalk between adjacent nodes, ensuring the resulting plantar pressure heatmaps are precise and reliable.
The Architecture of the Sensing Grid
The Matrix Structure
To manage a high density of 126 nodes without requiring 126 separate inputs, the system utilizes a matrix architecture.
This layout is composed of 16 horizontal electrodes and 8 vertical analog channels.
Cyclic Powering (The Drive Phase)
The MCU does not power all sensors at once.
Instead, it performs cyclic powering, activating the 16 horizontal electrodes one by one in a rapid sequence.
Simultaneous Reading (The Sense Phase)
While a single horizontal line is powered, the MCU performs simultaneous reading of the 8 vertical channels.
This captures the pressure data for that specific row before the system moves instantly to the next horizontal line.
Ensuring Accuracy and Precision
Eliminating Electrical Crosstalk
A major challenge in dense sensor arrays is "ghosting" or crosstalk, where signals from one sensor bleed into another.
The time-division multiplexing strategy solves this by ensuring adjacent horizontal nodes are never active simultaneously. This guarantees the sensing independence of each node.
12-Bit High Precision
The "12-bit" specification refers to the resolution of the MCU's Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC).
This allows the system to distinguish between 4,096 distinct pressure levels at each node, resulting in highly detailed and smooth plantar pressure heatmaps rather than binary "on/off" data.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Sampling Rate vs. Node Count
While time-division multiplexing saves wiring complexity, it introduces a timing cost.
Because the MCU must scan through 16 cycles to build one complete "frame" of data, the overall refresh rate is lower than if all sensors were read in parallel.
Processing Overhead
This approach requires the MCU to have precise timing logic to synchronize the driving and reading phases.
Any desynchronization in the cyclic powering sequence results in corrupted data maps, demanding a robust and high-precision controller.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
- If your primary focus is hardware simplicity: The 16x8 multiplexing architecture significantly reduces pin count and physical wiring complexity compared to direct mapping.
- If your primary focus is data fidelity: The 12-bit resolution combined with crosstalk prevention ensures the pressure heatmaps are accurate enough for medical or biomechanical analysis.
By balancing sequential scanning with high-resolution conversion, this architecture delivers professional-grade sensing in a compact form factor.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Specification/Method |
|---|---|
| Sensing Architecture | 16x8 Matrix (16 Horizontal, 8 Vertical) |
| Scanning Method | Time-Division Multiplexing (Cyclic Powering) |
| Resolution | 12-bit ADC (4,096 distinct pressure levels) |
| Signal Integrity | Crosstalk prevention via node isolation |
| Key Outcome | High-fidelity plantar pressure heatmaps |
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References
- Shubham Gupta, Arnab Chanda. Diabot: Development of a Diabetic Foot Pressure Tracking Device. DOI: 10.3390/j6010003
This article is also based on technical information from 3515 Knowledge Base .
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