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US 5,748,002 AGranted
RF probe for montoring composition of substances
AssigneePhase Dynamics, Inc.
InventorsBentley N. Scott, Samuel R. Shortes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems, methods, and probe devices for electronic monitoring and characterization using single-ended coupling of a load-pulled oscillator to a system under test.
Claims10
A system for detecting the composition and microstructure of materials, comprising:
- an RF oscillator, which includes a gain element connected to provide substantial gain at frequencies greater than 100 MHz, and a feedback path, coupling the output of said gain element to the input thereof, said feedback path including a tunable resonant circuit;
- and
- an electromagnetic propagation structure
- which is RF-coupled to said RF oscillator
- and in which electromagnetic wave propagation is electrically loaded by a portion of the material to be characterized,
- said propagation structure including a distributed impedance transformation section which includes at least one tapered element and which is itself also electrically loaded by proximity to a portion of the material;
- and
- circuitry connected to monitor the frequency of said oscillator to ascertain changes in the composition or microstructure of the material.
5 more elements
A single-ended RF probe, for providing a bidirectional RF interface, over a wide range of frequencies, to unknown materials of widely varying permittivity, comprising:
- an external RF connection mechanically connected to a support structure;
- and
- a patterned and substantially planar conductive structure which is electrically connected to said connection and mechanically supported by said support structure;
- said conductive structure being shaped to provide a distributed impedance transformation section therein, extending over multiple half-wavelengths at all of said range of frequencies.
1 more element
A single-ended RF probe, for providing a bidirectional RF interface to materials to be characterized, comprising:
- an external RF connection mechanically connected to a dielectric support structure;
- and
- an RF switch mounted on said support structure and electrically connected to said external RF connection;
- and
- first and second transmission line structures, each connected to said switch and mounted on said support structure;
- wherein said switch is connected and configured to connect said first transmission line structure to said external RF connection selectively, in accordance with a bias signal received at said external RF connection.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.