Low profile electric field sensor
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorPaul A. Ryan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A low profile electric field sensor is arranged to sense electric field potentials with respect to a local ground plane. The sensor includes an antenna in a generally planar format with a major dimension extending generally parallel to the local ground plane. To maintain signal to noise ratio, while at the same time minimizing the height of the antenna so as to provide a low profile, the antenna is coupled to a charge amplifier. The charge amplifier comprises an operational amplifier, preferably with a capacitor feedback between output and an inverting input, and the antenna is conductively connected to the inverting input.
Claims10
A low profile electric field sensor adapted for use in sensing atmospheric weather disturbances by sensing an RF electric field at 1 MHz or below in relation to a local ground plane in which an output signal is produced which is relatively independent of height from said local ground plane within a given range of heights, comprising:
- an antenna comprised of metallic material, generally planar in form, having a major dimension generally parallel to said local ground plane,
- quasi-charge amplifying means responsive to charge and producing an output signal, and
- connecting means conductively connecting said antenna to said quasi-charge amplifying means,
- whereby sensor height can be freely selected within said given range without accepting a reduction in output signal.
A low profile electric field sensor adapted for use in sensing atmospheric weather disturbances by sensing an RF electric field at 1 MHz or below in relation to a local ground plane comprising:
- an antenna comprised of metallic material with generally planar form having a major dimension generally parallel to said local ground plane, and an effective height from said local ground plane of no more than 3 cm;
- and
- amplifying means including a quasi-charge amplifier conductively connected to said antenna.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.