Rotational and linear parameter measurements using a quadrature continuous wave radar with millimeter wave metamaterials and frequency multiplexing in metamaterial-based sensors

A rotation sensor system, comprising:

• a rotational shaft configured to rotate about a rotational axis;
• a first array of millimeter-wave (mm-wave) structures mechanically coupled to the rotational shaft, wherein the first array of mm-wave structures is arranged at least partially around the rotational axis, and wherein the first array of mm-wave structures has a first working resonance frequency;
• a second array of mm-wave structures mechanically coupled to the rotational shaft, wherein the second array of mm-wave structures is arranged at least partially around the rotational axis, and wherein the second array of mm-wave structures has a second working resonance frequency that is different from the first working resonance frequency;
• a transmitter configured to transmit an electro-magnetic transmit signal towards the first array of mm-wave structures and the second array of mm-wave structures,
• wherein the first array of mm-wave structures is configured to convert the electro-magnetic transmit signal into a first electro-magnetic receive signal and the second array of mm-wave structures is configured to convert the electro-magnetic transmit signal into a second electro-magnetic receive signal;
• and
• at least one receiver configured to receive the first electro-magnetic receive signal and the second electro-magnetic receive signal, determine a first rotational parameter of the rotational shaft based on the first electro-magnetic receive signal, and determine a second rotational parameter of the rotational shaft based on the second electro-magnetic receive signal, wherein the first rotational parameter and the second rotational parameter are different rotational parameters.

A linear movement sensor system, comprising:

• a linear movable target object configured to move linearly in a linear moving direction;
• a first array of millimeter-wave (mm-wave) structures coupled to the linear movable target object, wherein the first array of mm-wave structures extends along the linear moving direction, and wherein the first array of mm-wave structures has a first working resonance frequency;
• a second array of mm-wave structures coupled to the linear movable target object, wherein the second array of mm-wave structures extends along the linear moving direction, and wherein the second array of mm-wave structures has a second working resonance frequency that is different from the first working resonance frequency;
• at least one transmitter configured to transmit at least one electro-magnetic transmit signal towards the first array of mm-wave structures and the second array of mm-wave structures,
• wherein the first array of mm-wave structures is configured to convert one of the at least one electro-magnetic transmit signal into a first electro-magnetic receive signal and the second array of mm-wave structures is configured to convert one of the at least one electro-magnetic transmit signal into a second electro-magnetic receive signal;
• and
• at least one receiver configured to receive the first electro-magnetic receive signal and the second electro-magnetic receive signal, determine a first linear movement parameter of the linear movable target object based on the first electro-magnetic receive signal, and determine a second linear movement parameter of the linear movable target object based on the second electro-magnetic receive signal, wherein the first linear movement parameter and the second linear movement parameter are different linear movement parameters.