Method and apparatus for using Doppler modulation parameters for estimation of vibration amplitude

A method for the real-time calculation of the vibration amplitude of an object using Doppler shifted signals reflected from the object, comprising the steps of:

• vibrating said object using a source of vibration;
• impinging one of pulsed electromagnetic and acoustic radiation onto said object;
• receiving Doppler shifted signals reflected from said surface object;
• and
• analyzing said Doppler shifted signals to derive the vibration amplitude of said object.

The system for the real-time estimation of the vibration amplitude of an object using Doppler shifted signals reflected by said object, comprising:

• means for generating vibration signals for causing vibration of said object;
• means connected to said means for generating vibration signals for generating synchronization signals synchronized to said vibration signals;
• a Doppler scan imaging device connected to receive said synchronization signals and to control said means for generating vibration signals;
• and
• means for analyzing Doppler shifted signals to derive the vibration amplitude of said object, said means for analyzing being connected to both said means for generating synchronization signals and said Doppler scan imaging device.

The system using Doppler modulation parameters in real-time for determining the vibration amplitude of an object, comprising:

• means for causing said object to vibrate;
• means for generating coherent radiation and for impinging said coherent radiation onto said object;
• means for receiving coherent radiation Doppler shifted signals reflected by said object after impingement of said coherent radiation on said object;
• means for analyzing said Doppler shifted signals to derive the vibration amplitude of said object;
• and
• said means for analyzing said Doppler shifted signals comprising a time domain estimation system comprising:
• means for generating quadrature phase signals representative of said Doppler shifted signals;
• means for deriving the phase signals;
• and
• means for receiving said quadrature phase, phase and co-phase signals and for generating said amplitude of vibration of said object based upon said received signals.

A method for the real-time calculation of the vibration amplitude of an object using Doppler shifted signals reflected from the object, comprising the steps of:

• vibrating said object using a source of vibration;
• impinging coherent radiation onto said object;
• receiving Doppler shifted signals reflected from said object;
• and
• analyzing said Doppler shifted signals to derive the vibration amplitude of said object;
• and wherein said step of analyzing said Doppler shifted signals comprises the steps of:
• turning off said source of vibration;
• estimating the spectral moments of noise;
• turning on said source of vibration;
• calculating the spectral moments of the noise and of said Doppler shifted signals;
• estimating the spectral moments of the noise and of said Doppler shifted signals;
• and
• calculating the vibration amplitude using said calculated spectral moments of noise and said Doppler shifted signals and said calculated spectral moments of noise.