IP Library Granted Patent US 9,971,055
Granted Patent B2
US 9,971,055 · App. 15/483,170 · Granted May 15, 2018

Constant phase

Inventors: Daniel Charles Heinz (Perry Hall, MD); Adam William Melber (Churchville, MD); Thomas Albert Burst (Chapel Hill, NC); Michael Leonard Brennan (Howell, NJ); Michael Steer (Raleigh, NC)
Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Army
G01V3/10G01V3/165
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,971,055
App. No.
15/483,170
Granted
May 15, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

Various embodiments are described that relate to a loop with a constant phase. The loop can function as an antenna and be used in object detection. A current source can be used to power the loop such that the loop produces a magnetic field and electric field. The magnetic field can be powerful enough to detect a dielectric while the electric field is so small that it does not interfere with nearby communication equipment. Thus, detection can occur without disruption of other important devices.

Claims (54)

1. A system, comprising:

a current source that functions at under about one ohm with a frequency between about 1 megahertz and 1 gigahertz; and

a singular small loop antenna that is powered by the current source,

the singular small loop antenna comprises a set of wire segments that are individually divided by a set of reactive compensation elements such that two individual reactive compensation elements are separated by a segment of wire and two individual reactive compensation elements are separated by a segment of wire and

the singular small loop antenna produces an electric field and a magnetic field such that the magnetic field, which extends substantially normal to a plane of the singular small loop antenna, is substantially greater than the electric field and the electric field is of a level that does not substantially interfere with communication equipment.

2. The system of claim 1 , where the magnetic field is of a high enough level to detect a metal beneath a surface.

3. The system of claim 1 ,

where the current source comprises a radio frequency generator module that matches input impedance of the singular small loop antenna and where the radio frequency generator module comprises a set of transistors that function as a voltage controlled current source.

4. The system of claim 1 , comprising:

an analysis component configured to perform an analysis on an output provided from a tag, where the output is a response of the tag being subjected to the magnetic field; and

a message component configured to produce a message that is based, at least in part, on a result of the analysis.

5. A system, comprising:

a current source that functions at under about one ohm with a frequency between about 1 megahertz and 1 gigahertz,

the current source, by way of a current, powers a singular small loop antenna,

the singular small loop antenna comprises a set of wire segments that are individually divided by a set of reactive compensation elements such that two individual reactive compensation elements are separated by a segment of wire and two individual reactive compensation elements are separated by a reactive compensation element, and

the singular small loop antenna produces an electric field and a magnetic field such that the magnetic field, which extends substantially normal to a plane of the singular small loop antenna, is substantially greater than the electric field and the electric field is of a level that does not substantially interfere with communication equipment.

6. The system of claim 5 ,

where the magnetic field extends about one wavelength from the singular small loop antenna and contacts a tag to provide the tag with wireless energy.

7. The system of claim 5 ,

where the individual reactive compensation elements of the set of reactive compensation elements are substantially evenly distributed from one another and where the current of the current source is of at least about two amps.

8. The system of claim 5 ,

where characteristics of the loop are altered in a binary manner such that direct current is produced and where the direct current powers an active circuit wirelessly.

9. The system of claim 5 ,

where the magnetic field is of a high enough level to detect a dielectric beneath a surface.

10. The system of claim 5 ,

where the magnetic field is of a high enough level to detect a metal beneath a surface.

11. The system of claim 5 ,

where the current source comprises a radio frequency generator module that matches input impedance of the singular small loop antenna and

where the radio frequency generator module comprises a set of transistors that function as a voltage controlled current source.

12. The system of claim 5 , comprising:

an analysis component configured to perform an analysis on an output provided from a tag, where the output is a response of the tag being subjected to the magnetic field; and

a message component configured to produce a message that is based, at least in part, on a result of the analysis.

13. The system of claim 5 ,

where the singular small loop antenna is configured to perform transmission and reception functions.

14. The system of claim 5 ,

where the singular small loop antenna comprises a transmission loop,

where a reception loop matches the transmission loop,

where the reception loop receives the magnetic field, and

where the transmission loop and the reception loop form a detector.

15. The system of claim 14 , comprising:

a spectrum analyzer configured to identify a presence of an object between the reception loop and the transmission loop and configured to cause an output indicative of the presence,

where the presence is determined through interference of the magnetic field from the transmission loop to the reception loop.

16. The system of claim 5 , comprising:

an interpretation component configured to interpret a barcode value of a tag from a response of the tag to the magnetic field, where the response is based, at least in part, on value and placement of a set of capacitors of the tag.

17. A method, comprising:

producing a current by way of a current source that functions at under about one ohm with a frequency between about 1 megahertz and 1 gigahertz; and

supplying the current such that a singular small loop antenna is powered,

the singular small loop antenna comprises a set of wire segments that are individually divided by a set of reactive compensation elements such that two individual reactive compensation elements are separated by a segment of wire and two individual reactive compensation elements are separated by a reactive compensation element and

the singular small loop antenna produces an electric field and a magnetic field such that the magnetic field, that extends substantially normal to a plane of the singular small loop antenna, is substantially greater than the electric field and the electric field is of a level that does not substantially interfere with communication equipment.

18. The system of claim 17 , where the magnetic field is of a high enough level to detect a metal beneath a surface.

19. The system of claim 17 , where the current source comprises a radio frequency generator module that matches input impedance of the singular small loop antenna and where the radio frequency generator module comprises a set of transistors that function as a voltage controlled current source.

20. The system of claim 17 , comprising:

an analysis component configured to perform an analysis on an output provided from a tag, where the output is a response of the tag being subjected to the magnetic field; and

a message component configured to produce a message that is based, at least in part, on a result of the analysis.

Assignments (4)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Dec 13, 2021
From: CACI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 058444/0902 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 10, 2017
From: BRENNAN, MICHAEL
To: CACI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 041939/0684 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 10, 2017
From: BURST, THOMAS
To: BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON
Reel/Frame 041939/0764 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 10, 2017
From: BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON; CACI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; HEINZ, DANIEL; MELBER, ADAM; STEER, MICHAEL
To: THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
Reel/Frame 041939/0929 →
Continuity (2)
Division 14263050 · Apr 28, 2014
Related Publication 20170212266A1 · Jul 27, 2017