Electric field sensor
AssigneeBAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
InventorsPaul A. Zank, Eldon M. Sutphin, David W. Buchanan, Thomas G. Cehelnik
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Abstract
The invention is a detection system and in one embodiment uses inexpensive, miniaturized sensors for detecting electric field (E-field) disturbances. Such sensors are easily and covertly deployable and have low power consumption. The devices may incorporate visual or audio alerts and can include communications hardware for transmitting data for further processing of the electrostatic events.
Claims20
An electric field sensor for detecting electrostatic field disturbances, comprising:
- a sensing element for detecting electric field signals;
- a guard area proximate said sensing element;
- a differential amplifier stage with bootstrapping and coupled to said sensing element on an input side;
- a filter stage connecting to an output side of said amplifier stage;
- an analog to digital converter coupled to said filter stage for converting said electric field signals to digital data;
- a second amplifier stage between said filter stage and said analog to digital converter;
- and
- a microcontroller coupled to said analog to digital converter for processing said digital data.
An electric field sensor for detecting electrostatic field disturbances, comprising:
- a first sensing element for detecting electric field signals;
- a first preamplifier coupled to said sensing element, wherein said first preamplifier is coupled to a first bootstrapping circuit;
- a second sensing element for detecting electric field signals;
- a second preamplifier coupled to said second sensing element, wherein said second preamplifier is coupled to a second bootstrapping circuit;
- a differential amplifier coupled to said first preamplifier and said second preamplifier;
- a filter stage connecting to said differential amplifier;
- an analog to digital converter coupled to said filter stage for converting said electric field signals to digital data;
- and
- a microprocessor coupled to said analog to digital converter for processing said digital data.
A motion sensing device, comprising:
- a power source;
- at least one sensing element for detecting electric field disturbances of moving objects;
- a differential amplifier with a bootstrap configuration coupled to said sensing element;
- a filter section connecting to said differential amplifier;
- a second amplifier stage coupled to said filter section;
- an analog to digital converter coupled to said filter section second amplifier stage for converting said electric field signals to digital data;
- and
- a microcontroller coupled to said analog to digital converter for processing said digital data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.