US 2009/0015073 A1 · RF SWITCH TELEMETRY SYSTEM & METHOD

Abstract

The position of an RF switch, or switches, in a matrix switch drive system is monitored using AC rather than DC measurement techniques. Using the same wiring as the matrix switch drive system so as not to increase the size and weight of the switch installation, a low current AC signal is provided during non-actuation of the RF switch(es) to each of plural combinations of a capacitor and a microswitch serially connected across each switch coil. With the capacitor and switch coil exhibiting inverse impedance responses to increasing AC frequency, when the microswitch is open only the coil impedance is read and when the microswitch is closed only the capacitor impedance is read. Using a switch coil with an inductance of 1 henry and a capacitor with a capacitance of 0.1 farads, the difference in impedance between the microswitch ON and OFF states is an easily detectable two orders of magnitude.

Claims20

Dependent claims

Apparatus for controlling and monitoring at least one multi-position RF switch, said apparatus comprising:

plural coils disposed in said at least one RF switch, each of said coils corresponding to a position of said at least one RF switch;
plural first switches connected to a DC source and further connected to said plural coils via a wiring network for directing a DC signal through at least one of said coils for switching said at least one RF switch to a selected position;
plural serially connected second switch and capacitor combinations each coupled across a respective coil;
plural third switches connected to an AC source and further connected to said plural coils and said second switch and capacitor combinations coupled across each coil for directing an AC input signal thereto via said wiring network, wherein a DC signal provided to a coil results in closure of a second switch coupled across said coil and provides an AC output signal representing the coil energized by the DC signal and the state of said at least one RF switch;
and
a controller coupled to said first and third switches for providing the AC signal to said third switches only when a DC signal is not being provided via said first switches to a coil.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Rf switch telemetry system & method

Life of this patent

Rf switch telemetry system & method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20