Sensor for detecting high frequency signals

• US 20060284774A1
• Filed: 06/20/2005
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Triton Services, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Scenterra, Inc.
• Inventors: Salsman, Kenneth E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,280,078 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/703
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/42 Absorption spectrometry; Double beam spectrometry; Flicker spectrometry; Reflection spectrometry beam switching arrangements G01J3/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 23/163 adapted for measuring in circuits having distributed constants
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 23/17 with optical or acoustical auxiliary devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 29/0871 Complete apparatus or systems; circuits, e.g. receivers or amplifiers G01R29/0878, G01R29/0892 take precedence; dosimeters, warning devices G01R29/0857
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 29/0878 Sensors; antennas; probes; detectors wave guide measuring sections G01R1/24
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/247 with frequency mixer, e.g. for direct satellite reception or Doppler radar

Abstract

A sensor that senses incident RF signals is provided. The sensor is capable of sensing signals in the Gigahertz (GHz) and Terahertz (THz) range. The sensor may utilize one or more cantilevers, an interferometer, or may be formed in a box-type configuration.

Claims

1. A sensor that senses incident RF radiation, the sensor comprising:

an antenna suitable for receiving the incident RF radiation;

a cantilever electrically coupled to the antenna, wherein the cantilever is affected by the received incident RF radiation;

a converter for converting the effect on the cantilever into a measurable signal indicative of the received incident RF radiation; and

a detector for sensing the measurable signal, wherein the detected sensed measurable signal indicates the received incident RF radiation.

2. A sensor that senses incident RF radiation, the sensor comprising:

an antenna suitable for receiving the incident RF radiation;

a interferometer electrically coupled to the antenna, wherein the interferometer is affected by the received incident RF radiation;

a converter for converting the effect on the interferometer into a measurable signal indicative of the received incident RF radiation; and

a detector for sensing the measurable signal, wherein the detected sensed measurable signal indicates the received incident RF radiation.

3. A sensor that senses incident RF radiation, the sensor comprising:

an antenna suitable for receiving the incident RF radiation;

a structure electrically coupled to the antenna, wherein the structure is affected by the received incident RF radiation;

a converter for converting the effect on the structure into a measurable signal indicative of the received incident RF radiation; and

a detector for sensing the measurable signal, wherein the detected sensed measurable signal indicates the received incident RF radiation.

4. A method for sensing incident RF radiation, the method comprising:

receiving the incident RF radiation;

coupling the received radiation to a converter;

converting the coupled received radiation to a detectable signal; and

measuring the detectable signal.