Method and apparatus for vapor signature with heat differential

摘要

A method for sensing analyte. The method includes the steps of sensing one or more parameters in reaction to the presence of one or more analytes and outputting a current therefrom in accordance with level of the sensed parameter by each of a plurality of sensors, each of the plurality of sensors being provided in one or more sensor array columns, selectively heating one or more of the sensor array columns by a heating element, and receiving an output current from one of the plurality of sensors from each of the plurality of sensor arrays by a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) arranged in a VCO array. The method further includes the steps of generating an output oscillation frequency by each VCO in accordance with the level of the received output current, and counting a number of oscillations over a predetermined time received from each of the plurality of VCOs in the VCO array by a plurality of counters arranged in a counter array.

主权项

1. An apparatus for sensing analyte, comprising:
a plurality of sensor array columns, each sensor array column comprising a plurality of sensors, each sensor being adapted for sensing one or more parameters in reaction to the presence of one or more analytes and output a current therefrom in accordance with level of the sensed parameter; a heating element for selectively heating one or more of the sensor array columns; a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) array comprising a plurality of VCOs, each VCO receiving adapted to receive an output current from each of the plurality of sensors in a first of the plurality of sensor arrays and to receive an output current from one of the plurality of sensos in a second of the plurality of sensor arrays, and for generating an output oscillation frequency in accordance with the level of the received output current from the corresponding sensor in the first sensor array and the corresponding sensor in the second sensor array; and a counter array comprising a plurality of counters, each counter adapted to receive an output from a corresponding VCO and count a number of oscillations over a predetermined time.