Microwave monitor

• US 4,539,567 A
• Filed: 09/12/1983
• Issued: 09/03/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brewer Sharon Incorporated, Micrometrics Limited
• Original Assignee: Micrometrics Limited
• Inventors: Brewer, Richard D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blum, Theodore M.
• Application Number:
  US06/531,260
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 343/351, 343/703, 343/718, 324/72.5, 324/95, 455/226
• US Class Current: 342/351
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 29/0857 Dosimetry, i.e. measuring the time integral of radiation intensity; Level warning devices for personal safety use nuclear radiation dosimetry G01T
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/247 with frequency mixer, e.g. for direct satellite reception or Doppler radar
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals

Abstract

An improved microwave field monitor device is disclosed characterized by use of a microstrip antenna and control electronics adapted to provide a field alarm, field monitor, accumulated dose alarm, and integrated dose indication of RF radiation exposure to an individual. The monitor is packaged in a small configuration similar to an identification badge adapted to be easily affixed to the clothing of a user. The monitor additionally is capable of measuring the RF radiation exposure at particular part or whole body resonance frequency bands or standing wave hot spots known to be hazardous to individuals.

Claims

1. An improved microwave field monitoring device comprising:

a housing adapted to be worn upon an individual;

antenna means carried by said housing for detecting microwave radiation irradiated upon said housing at a specific microwave radiation band level;

means responsive to said antenna means for accumulating and integrating the amount of radiation irradiated upon said housing over differing predetermined time periods;

means for displaying the accumulated and integrated amount of radiation irradiated upon said housing for each of said differing time periods; and

alarm means responsive to said accumulating and integrating means to alert the individual to exposure of predetermined quantities of radiation irradiated upon said housing in excess of safe exposure limits.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said antenna means includes means for detecting microwave radiation at multiple discrete frequency band levels.

3. The device of claim 2 further comprising switch means for selectively permitting the display of said accumulating and integrating means for each of said multiple discrete frequency band levels.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said antenna means comprises a microstrip antenna.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said accumulating and integrating means comprises a monolithic integrated circuit.

6. The device of claim 5 further comprising means for pretesting said microwave integrated circuit to insure proper functioning of said circuit.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said displaying means comprises a digital display device.

8. An improved microwave monitoring device comprising:

a housing adapted to be worn upon an individual;

antenna means disposed upon said housing adapted to detect microwave radiation at multiple specific partial body resonance frequency band levels;

means responsive to said antenna means for determining the integrated and accumulated amount of microwave radiation exposed to the individual in a desired time period for each of said specific frequency band levels;

alarm means response to said determining means for alerting the individual to quantities of radiation in excess of predetermined safe exposure levels of microwave radiation at each of said specific frequency band levels; and

means for selectively displaying the accumulated and integrated amount of radiation irradiated upon said housing for each of said specific frequency band levels.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said antenna means includes means for detecting microwave radiation at discrete multiple frequency band levels.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein said antenna means comprises a microstrip antenna.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said alerting means includes a warning light adapted to be viewed by the individual.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said alerting means includes an audible alarm.