Multi-state beamforming array
AssigneeTeledyne RD Instruments, Inc.
InventorMark A. Vogt
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Abstract
A sonar system and method of operating a sonar system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the sonar system comprises an array of transducers and a multiplexer configurable into a plurality of states. In one embodiment, the multiplexer, when in a first state, electrically couples a plurality of connections with the plurality of transducers via a first mapping and, in a second state, electrically couples the plurality of connections with the plurality of transducers via a second mapping.
Claims25
A sonar system comprising:
- a plurality of transducers;
- and
- a multiplexer configurable into a plurality of states,
- wherein, in a first state, the multiplexer electrically couples a plurality of connections with the plurality of transducers via a first mapping of respective connections to respective transducers,
- wherein, in a second state, the multiplexer electrically couples the plurality of connections with the plurality of transducers via a second mapping, and
- wherein, the first and second mapping are different.
A method of operating a sonar system having a plurality of transducers and a multiplexer, the method comprising:
- setting the multiplexer into a first state in which the multiplexer electrically couples a plurality of connections with the plurality of transducers via a first mapping of respective connections to respective transducers;
- setting the multiplexer into a second state in which the multiplexer electrically couples the plurality of connections with the plurality of transducers via a second mapping, wherein the first and second mapping are different;
- and
- transmitting data to or receiving data from the plurality of transducers via the multiplexer.
A dual Janus beam system comprising:
- a regular planar array of transducers;
- and
- a beamformer configurable into a plurality of states,
- wherein, in a first state, the beamformer is configured to transmit data to or receive data from the array such that the effective beam pattern comprises a beam selected from a set of Janus beams having a first angle,
- wherein, in a second state, the beamformer is configured to transmit data to or receive data from the array such that the effective beam pattern comprises a beam selected from a set of Janus beams having a second angle,
- wherein, the first and second angle are different.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.