Signal processor
First Claim
1. A signal processor for processing an AC signal, comprising:
- a support conductor;
a linear conductor having a first end fixed to the support conductor, the linear conductor vibrating in response to an AC electric field so as to have a displacement component perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the linear conductor;
a control electrode that applies the AC electric field to the linear conductor, the AC electric field having a component perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the linear conductor;
a detection electrode that detects a vibration signal generated as a result of the vibration of the linear conductor;
a signal source that applies an AC signal to the control electrode; and
an output unit that uses, as a processed signal obtained from the AC signal, information about the amplitude of the vibration signal detected by the detection electrode or the phase of the vibration signal,wherein the support conductor comprises a negative electrode and a positive electrode,wherein the first end of the linear conductor is fixed to the negative electrode, the linear conductor having a second end serving as a free end, the second end being disposed so as to face the positive electrode with a small gap between the second end and the positive electrode,wherein the signal processor further comprises a tension control signal source that applies a variable voltage between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, the variable voltage being used to control a tension applied to the linear conductor, andwherein the output unit outputs a signal that is obtained by controlling the amplitude or phase of the AC signal outputted from the signal source according to the variable voltage outputted from the tension control signal source.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
To realize a compact device that detects phase or controls phase or an amplitude with high sensitivity, a signal controller includes: a linear conductor having a first end fixed to a negative electrode and a second end serving as a free end; a positive electrode facing the free end with a small gap therebetween; a first signal source that applies a voltage between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, the voltage applied being variable; a driving electrode that applies an electric field to a space around the conductor, the electric field having a component perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the conductor; and a second signal source that applies an AC signal to the driving electrode. The signal processor can be a device for controlling or modulating phase or amplitude.
6 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A signal processor for processing an AC signal, comprising:
-
a support conductor; a linear conductor having a first end fixed to the support conductor, the linear conductor vibrating in response to an AC electric field so as to have a displacement component perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the linear conductor; a control electrode that applies the AC electric field to the linear conductor, the AC electric field having a component perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the linear conductor; a detection electrode that detects a vibration signal generated as a result of the vibration of the linear conductor; a signal source that applies an AC signal to the control electrode; and an output unit that uses, as a processed signal obtained from the AC signal, information about the amplitude of the vibration signal detected by the detection electrode or the phase of the vibration signal, wherein the support conductor comprises a negative electrode and a positive electrode, wherein the first end of the linear conductor is fixed to the negative electrode, the linear conductor having a second end serving as a free end, the second end being disposed so as to face the positive electrode with a small gap between the second end and the positive electrode, wherein the signal processor further comprises a tension control signal source that applies a variable voltage between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, the variable voltage being used to control a tension applied to the linear conductor, and wherein the output unit outputs a signal that is obtained by controlling the amplitude or phase of the AC signal outputted from the signal source according to the variable voltage outputted from the tension control signal source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A signal processor for processing an AC signal, comprising:
-
a support conductor; a linear conductor having a first end fixed to the support conductor, the linear conductor vibrating in response to an AC electric field so as to have a displacement component perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the linear conductor; a control electrode that applies the AC electric field to the linear conductor, the AC electric field having a component perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the linear conductor; a detection electrode that detects a vibration signal generated as a result of the vibration of the linear conductor; a signal source that applies an AC signal to the control electrode; and an output unit that uses, as a processed signal obtained from the AC signal, information about the amplitude of the vibration signal detected by the detection electrode or the phase of the vibration signal, wherein the signal processor is a phase detector that detects the phase of an incoming electromagnetic wave, wherein the linear conductor is a conductor that vibrates in response to an electric field of the electromagnetic wave so as to have a displacement component perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the linear conductor, wherein the output unit includes a phase detector that detects the phase of the electromagnetic wave from the amplitude of the vibration signal detected by the detection electrode, wherein the support conductor comprises a negative electrode and a positive electrode, wherein the first end of the linear conductor is fixed to the negative electrode, the linear conductor having a second end serving as a free end, the second end being disposed so as to face the positive electrode with a small gap between the second end and the positive electrode, and wherein the signal processor further comprises a tension control signal source that applies a variable voltage between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, the variable voltage being used to control a tension applied to the linear conductor. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A signal processor for processing an AC signal, comprising:
-
a support conductor; a linear conductor having a first end fixed to the support conductor, the linear conductor vibrating in response to an AC electric field so as to have a displacement component perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the linear conductor; a control electrode that applies the AC electric field to the linear conductor, the AC electric field having a component perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the linear conductor; a detection electrode that detects a vibration signal generated as a result of the vibration of the linear conductor; a signal source that applies an AC signal to the control electrode; and an output unit that uses, as a processed signal obtained from the AC signal, information about the amplitude of the vibration signal detected by the detection electrode or the phase of the vibration signal, wherein the signal processor is a phase detector that detects the phase of an incoming electromagnetic wave, wherein the linear conductor is a conductor that vibrates in response to an electric field of the electromagnetic wave so as to have a displacement component perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the linear conductor, wherein the output unit includes a phase detector that detects the phase of the electromagnetic wave from the amplitude of the vibration signal detected by the detection electrode, and wherein the support conductor comprises a first support conductor and a second support conductor, the first end of the linear conductor being fixed to the first support conductor, the linear conductor having a second end fixed to the second support conductor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A signal processor for processing an AC signal, comprising:
-
a support conductor; a linear conductor having a first end fixed to the support conductor, the linear conductor vibrating in response to an AC electric field so as to have a displacement component perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the linear conductor; a control electrode that applies the AC electric field to the linear conductor, the AC electric field having a component perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the linear conductor; a detection electrode that detects a vibration signal generated as a result of the vibration of the linear conductor; a signal source that applies an AC signal to the control electrode; an output unit that uses, as a processed signal obtained from the AC signal, information about the amplitude of the vibration signal detected by the detection electrode or the phase of the vibration signal; and a grounding electrode disposed at a position opposite a position of the control electrode with respect to the linear conductor.
-
Specification