US 2013/0294269 A1 · TIME SPACE COHERENCE INTERFEROMETER

Abstract

A time space coherence interferometer (TSCI) system is provided. In one embodiment of the present invention the TSCI system includes an interferometer in communication with an RF source and a receiver. The interferometer includes a first switch, a second switch, a transmit element, a receive element and a sequencer circuit, wherein the sequencer circuit is configured to alternate the first and second switches between first and second configurations. In a first configuration, the signal from the RF source is provided to the transmit element, where it is communicated to the receive element via a signal path, and provided to the receiver. In the second configuration, the signal from the RF source is provided to the receiver via a reference path. The switching sequence results in a complex ratio of the signal path signal to the reference path signal (e.g., an S21 transmission ratio) being provided to the receiver.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An interferometer, comprising:

an input terminal in communication with a radio frequency (RF) source;
an output terminal in communication with a receiver;
a receive element;
a transmit element configured to transmit a signal from said RF source to said receive element via a signal path;
a sequencer for transmitting a switch signal;
and
a switch in communication with said sequencer and configured to receive said switch signal and to switch between at least two configurations in response to said switch signal, wherein a first one of said at least two configurations is used to connect said receive element to said output terminal, and a second one of said at least two configurations is used, at least in part, to connect said input terminal to said output terminal via a reference path, said reference path being separate and distinct from said signal path;
wherein alternating said switch between at least said first configuration and said second configuration results in an encoded measurement signal being transmitted to said receiver via said output terminal,
wherein said encoded measurement signal can be used to determine a complex ratio of said signal from said RF source as transmitted via said signal path to said signal from said RF source as transmitted via said reference path.

6 more elements

A method for using an interferometer for providing an encoded measurement signal to a receiver, comprising:

receiving a signal from a radio frequency (RF) source;
communicating at least a first portion of said signal from a transmit element to a receive element via a first path;
communicating at least a second portion of said signal to a switch via a second path;
providing at least one switch signal to said switch;
using said at least one switch signal to alternate between at least first and second switch settings for said switch, wherein said first switch setting results in at least said first portion of said signal being provided to said receiver, and said second switch setting results in at least said second signal being provided to said receiver;
wherein the combination of at least said first and second portions of said signal, as communicated over said first path and said second path, respectively, constitute said encoded measurement signal.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Time space coherence interferometer

Life of this patent

Time space coherence interferometer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20