RF current-sensing coupled antenna device
AssigneeFischer Custom Communications, Inc.
InventorJoseph F. Fischer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for, and method of, replacing conventional antennas which intercept radio frequency fields and develop electrical signals for input to an RF receiver. The invention eliminates the use of antennas by taking advantage of the fact that any electrical conductor or surface develops significant current when its length is approximately 0.1 wavelength long or longer of an intercepted RF field. The RF current-sensing coupled antenna device, employing the principles of an instrument transformer, transforms the current in a wire filament or metallic surface and conveys it to a receiver. The useful frequency range that has been demonstrated for the coupled antenna device is 100 kHz to 2 GHz.
Claims20
An RF current-sensing coupled antenna device for coupling energy, developed in a conductor intercepting an RF field, to the input of an RF receiver, said device comprising:
- an outer conducting non-magnetic housing;
- and
- a toroidal magnetic core having a central aperture;
- a secondary winding wound about said core, said core and secondary winding mounted in and insulated from said housing;
- wherein said device couples energy to the input of an RF receiver when placed in relation to the conductor such that the conductor serves as a primary winding having a length of at least 0.1 wavelength of the intercepted RF field.
An RF current-sensing coupled antenna device for coupling energy, developed in a conductive surface intercepting an RF field, to the input of an RF receiver, said device comprising:
- an outer conducting non-magnetic shield;
- a semi-toroidal magnetic core having ends defined by a toroid cross-sectioned along a plane containing the axis of the toroid;
- a secondary winding wound about said core, said core and secondary winding mounted in and insulated from said shield;
- wherein said device couples energy to the input of an RF receiver when placed in relation to the conductive surface such that said conductive surface serves as a primary winding having a length of at least 0.1 wavelength of the intercepted RF field.
A method for coupling energy, developed in a conductor intercepting an RF field, to the input of an RF receiver, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing an RF receiver;
- providing a toroidal magnetic core having a central aperture and a secondary winding wound about said core, said core and secondary winding mounted in and insulated from a conducting non-magnetic housing;
- and
- coupling energy to the input of the RF receiver when placing said core, with winding wound thereabout, in relation to the conductor such that the conductor serves as a primary winding having a length of at least 0.1 wavelength of the intercepted RF field.
An method for coupling energy, developed in a conductive surface intercepting an RF field, to the input of an RF receiver, said method comprising:
- providing a semi-toroidal magnetic core having ends defined by a toroid cross-sectioned along a plane containing the axis of the toroid;
- providing a secondary winding wound about said core, said core and secondary winding mounted in and insulated from a provided conducting non-magnetic shield;
- and
- coupling energy to the input of an RF receiver when placing said core, with said secondary winding wound thereabout, in relation to the conductive surface such that said conductive surface serves as a primary winding having a length of at least 0.1 wavelength of the intercepted RF field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.