Magnetostrictive displacement transducer with phase shifted bias burst

An assembly, comprising:

• at least a first magnetostrictive transducer providing a first transducer output;
• amplifier circuitry that receives the first transducer output and that generates a transducer output burst, and a bias output burst, the transducer output burst and bias output burst overlapping one another in time and differing by a phase difference;
• a transducer circuit that receives the bias output burst and the transducer output burst, the transducer circuit providing a displacement output that is a function of a detection of a time when the transducer output burst and the bias output burst are at the same voltage level;
• and
• a sequence circuit that receives the transducer output burst and that controls sequencing of the transducer circuit.

A method, comprising:

• generating a transducer output from at least a first magnetostrictive transducer;
• generating a transducer output burst as a function of the transducer output, and generating a bias output burst that overlaps the transducer output burst in time and differing by a phase difference from the first output burst;
• and
• processing the transducer output burst to provide a displacement output that is a function of a detection of a time when the transducer output burst and the bias output burst are at the same voltage level.

An assembly, comprising:

• at least a first magnetostrictive transducer providing a first transducer output;
• amplifier circuitry that receives the first transducer output and that generates a transducer output burst, and a bias output burst, the transducer output burst and bias output burst overlapping one another in time and differing by a phase difference;
• and
• burst processor means for receiving the transducer output burst and the bias output burst, and for providing a displacement output that is a function of a detection of a time when the transducer output burst and the bias output burst are at the same voltage level.