Device, Probe, and Method for the Galvanically Decoupled Transmission of a Measuring Signal

• US 20080290856A1
• Filed: 12/13/2006
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas Hoffmann
• Original Assignee: Forschungsverbund Berlin E.V., Thomas Hoffmann
• Inventors: Hoffmann, Thomas, Liero, Armin
• Granted Patent: US 7,893,683 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/96
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/06777 High voltage probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/06788 Hand-held or hand-manipulated probes, e.g. for oscilloscopes or for portable test instruments end pieces terminating in a probe H01R11/18
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/26 using modulation of waves other than light, e.g. radio or acoustic waves

Abstract

The invention relates to a device, a probe, and a method for the galvanically decoupling transmission of a measuring signal. A microwave signal is supplied by a transceiver (1) to a sensor (3) by means of a galvanically decoupled waveguide (2). The signal is partially reflected in the sensor (3), the amplitude, phase and/or polarization of the reflected microwave signal containing the information relating to the measuring value. The reflected microwave signal runs through the same waveguide (2) back to the transceiver (1) and is evaluated therein. The invention provides a more simple and economical structure than conventional devices of prior art, as a voltage supply is not required especially on the sensor side as a result of the reflection. In this way, the sensor (3) can also be produced in a very compact manner, minimizing the influence of the measuring signal through the sensor (3).

Claims

1. Device for the galvanically decoupled transmission of a measuring signal, wherein a transceiver for microwaves is connected to a sensor over a means for the galvanically decoupled transmission of microwaves.

2. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the oscillator of the transceiver is a CW signal oscillator, i.e. that the generated microwave signal is temporally constant in amplitude and frequency.

3. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the oscillator of the transceiver is an oscillator for amplitude modulated, including pulsed, microwave signals.

4. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the oscillator of the transceiver is an oscillator for frequency modulated microwave signals.

5. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the transceiver has multiple oscillators that generate microwave signals of different frequency which are superimposed.

6. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the transceiver contains a demodulator.

7. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a mixer that multiplies the oscillator signal by the reflected microwave signal is integrated in the transceiver.

8. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sensor is a sensor for electrical signals.

9. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sensor is a sensor for non-electrical signals.

10. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a transistor to change the reflection of the microwave signal.

11. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a semiconductor diode to change the reflection of the microwave signal.

12. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a temperature-dependent resistor to change the reflection.

13. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a dipole antenna structure for reflection of the microwave signal.

14. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the means for the transmission of the microwave signal is integrated on a substrate.

15. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the means for the transmission of the microwave signal is provided by a flexible waveguide.

16. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the device does not include any additional voltage supply.

17. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the means for the transmission of microwaves is provided by successive connection of a multiplicity of galvanically conducting conduction pieces that are insulated from each other.

18. Device in accordance with claim 17, wherein, in addition, shielding is provided for the microwave signal.

19. Probe for the galvanically decoupled transmission of measuring signals comprising a probe tip, a probe body having a housing, a connection to a measuring device, wherein the probe has a device for the galvanically decoupled transmission of a measuring signal comprising a transceiver for microwaves which is connected to a sensor over means for the galvanically decoupled transmission of microwaves.

21. Probe in accordance with claim 19, wherein the probe comprises an amplifier and also a microcontroller, with the amplifier being disposed between the transceiver and the connection to a measuring device and the microcontroller being connected to the amplifier.

20. (canceled)

22. Method for the galvanically decoupled transmission of a measuring signal wherein the method includes the following steps:

Supplying of a microwave signal by a transceiver

transmitting the microwave signal by the transceiver to a sensor over galvanically decoupled means for the transmission of microwaves

reflecting the signal in the sensor, with the signal being changed in a manner characterizing the measured value

transmitting the reflected microwave signal by the sensor to the transceiver over the galvanically decoupled means for the transmission of microwaves

And evaluating the reflected microwave signal in the transceiver.

23. Method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the change in the microwave signal by means of the measuring signal is determined by the terminal impedance applied to the end of the means for the transmission of microwaves.

24. Method in accordance with claim 22, wherein, during evaluation of the reflected microwave signal in the transceiver, the amplitude of the reflected microwave signal is evaluated.

25. Method in accordance with claim 22, wherein, during evaluation of the reflected microwave signal in the transceiver, the phase of the reflected microwave signal is evaluated.

26. Method in accordance with claim 22, wherein, during evaluation of the reflected microwave signal in the transceiver, the polarization of the reflected microwave signal is evaluated.

27. Method in accordance with claim 22, wherein, during evaluation of the reflected microwave signal in the transceiver, a combination of amplitude, phase, or/and polarization of the reflected microwave signal is evaluated.

28. Method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the transceiver supplies a CW signal.

29. Method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the transceiver supplies an amplitude-modulated, including pulsed, microwave signal.

30. Method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the transceiver supplies a frequency-modulated microwave signal.

31. Method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the transceiver supplies a microwave signal comprising multiple superimposed frequencies.

32. Method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the sensor receives an electrical signal.

33. Method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the sensor receives a non-electrical signal.

34. Method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the reflection is changed by a transistor.

35. Method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the change in the reflection is generated by a semiconductor diode.

36. Method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the reflection is changed by a temperature-dependent resistor.

37. Method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the method does not include an additional voltage supply.

38. Method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the method includes the step of mixing the microwave signal with the signal of the reflected wave in a mixer in the transceiver.

39. Method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the step of mixing the microwave signal with the signal of the reflected wave is done by a multiplication of the signals.