Single antenna dual frequency transponder

• US 5,206,639 A
• Filed: 10/25/1990
• Issued: 04/27/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Timex Corporation (Tanager Group BV)
• Original Assignee: Timex Corporation (Tanager Group BV)
• Inventors: Kamens, Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Yusko, Donald J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hill, Andrew M.
• Application Number:
  US07/604,044
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.54, 340/825.72, 342/44, 342/51, 455/82, 455/83, 343/876
• US Class Current: 340/10.33
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/767 Responders; Transponders teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying using reflecting targets or active targets F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/44 Transmit/receive switching

Abstract

A single antenna, dual frequency transponder is provided. The transponder includes the antenna, first and second capacitors, a microprocessor/coder for generating a first and second control signals, and a logic circuit which uses the two control signals as inputs and depending on the state of the second control signal either provides an open circuit or a frequency signal at its output node. When the second control signal is a dormant (inhibit) signal, an open circuit is provided. As a result, the capacitors and the antenna provide a first tuned LC circuit which will receive an incoming signal at a desired first frequency. The incoming signal thereby resonates the LC circuit which provides a wake-up signal to the microprocessor/coder. In turn, the microprocessor/coder generates the first control signal of a desired second frequency. In turn, the logic circuit provides a related signal of the same second frequency as an output. With such an output, one of the two capacitors is effectively eliminated from the circuit, and the remaining capacitor and the antenna constitute a second tuned LC circuit which is tuned to the second frequency. By providing adjustable capacitance capacitors, the circuit is adjustable to desired incoming and outgoing frequencies.

Claims

1. A single antenna transponder comprising:

a) signal generating means for generating a first signal of a first desired frequency in response to a trigger signal, and for generating a second control signal having first and second states, said signal generating means changing said second control signal from said first state to said second state after receiving said trigger signal;

b) an antenna coupled to said signal generating means;

c) logic control means coupled to said signal generating means, and including means for receiving said first signal and said second control signal, and having an output, wherein said logic control means includes means for generating a very high impedance at said output when said logic control means receives said first state of said second control signal, and wherein said logic control means includes means for providing a transmitting signal of said first desired frequency when said logic control means receives said first signal and said second state of said second control signal;

d) a first capacitor having a first plate coupled to said output of said logic control means, and a second plate coupled to said antenna and to said signal generating means; and

e) a second capacitor having a first plate coupled to a first fixed voltage, and a second plate coupled to said first plate of said first capacitor, wherein

when said logic control means receives said first state of said second control signal and said output of said logic control means is at a very high impedance, said first capacitor, said second capacitor, and said antenna comprise a first tuned LC circuit for receiving an incoming signal at a second frequency from which said trigger signal is generated, and

when said logic control means receives said second state of said second control signal, said output of said logic control means is at a low impendance, and said first capacitance and said antenna comprise a second tuned LC circuit for taking said transmitting signal at said first desired frequency and transmitting the same.

2. A transponder according to claim 1, wherein

said logic control means comprises a first transistor and a second transistor, said first and second transistors having common collectors which constitute said logic control output, said first transistor and second transistors each having a base coupled to said means for receiving said first signal and said second control signal.

3. A transponder according to claim 2, wherein:

said first transistor is a npn-type transistor, and said second transistor is a pnp-type transistor,

each of said first transistor and second transistor has an emitter, and

the emitter of said first transistor is coupled to said first fixed voltage, and the emitter of said second transistor is coupled to a second fixed voltage.

4. A transponder according to claim 3, wherein:

said means for receiving said first signal and said second control signal comprises first, second, third, and fourth NOR gates,

said first NOR gate has first and second input ports and an output port, and said first signal is coupled to said first input port of said first NOR gate and said second control signal is coupled to said second input port of said first NOR gate,

said second NOR gate has at least one input port and an output port, and said output port of said first NOR gate is coupled to an input port of said second NOR gate, and said output port of said second NOR gate is coupled to said base of said second transistor,

said third NOR gate has at least one input port and an output port, and said first signal is coupled to an input port of said third NOR gate,

said fourth NOR gate has first and second input ports and an output port, and said second control signal is coupled to said first input port of said fourth NOR gate and said output port of said third NOR gate is coupled to said second input port of said fourth NOR gate, and said output port of said fourth NOR gate is coupled to said base of said first transistor.

5. A transponder according to claim 1, further comprising:

f) voltage regulating means coupling said antenna to said signal generating means for regulating said incoming signal and generating therefrom said trigger signal.

6. A transponder according to claim 5, wherein:

said voltage regulating means comprises a high impedance resistor coupled to said antenna and said signal generating means, and at least one diode connected to said high impedance resistor and to said signal generating means and to one of a second fixed voltage and said first fixed voltage.

7. A transponder according to claim 3, further comprising:

f) voltage regulating means coupling said antenna to said signal generating means for regulating said incoming signal and generating therefrom said trigger signal.

8. A transponder according to claim 7, wherein:

said voltage regulating means comprises a high impedance resistor coupled to said antenna and said signal generating means, and at least one diode connected to said high impedance resistor and to said signal generating means and to one of said second fixed voltage and said first fixed voltage.

9. A transponder according to claim 4, further comprising:

f) voltage regulating means coupling said antenna to said signal generating means for regulating said incoming signal and generating therefrom said trigger signal.

10. A transponder according to claim 9, wherein:

said voltage regulating means comprises a high impedance resistor coupled to said antenna and said signal generating means, and at least one diode connected to said high impedance resistor and to said signal generating means and to one of said second fixed voltage and said first fixed voltage.

11. A transponder according to claim 1, wherein:

said first capacitor is an adjustable capacitance capacitor, and said second capacitor is an adjustable capacitance capacitor.

12. A transponder according to claim 3, wherein:

said first capacitor is an adjustable capacitance capacitor, and said second capacitor is an adjustable capacitance capacitor.

13. A transponder according to claim 4, wherein:

said first capacitor is an adjustable capacitance capacitor, and said second capacitor is an adjustable capacitance capacitor.

14. A transponder according to claim 11, wherein:

said first frequency is different than said second frequency.

15. A transponder according to claim 1, wherein:

said signal generating means is a microprocessor/coder for generating a coded oscillating first signal.

16. A transponder according to claim 3, wherein:

said signal generating means is a microprocessor/coder for generating a coded oscillating first signal.

17. A transponder according to claim 4, wherein:

said signal generating means is a microprocessor/coder for generating a coded oscillating first signal.

18. A method of receiving and transmitting information over a single antenna contained in a transponder having a signal generating means for generating a first signal and a second control signal, said second control signal having first and second states, where the signal generating means is coupled to said antenna, a logic circuit means including means for receiving said first signal and said second control signal, and providing an output in response thereto, a first capacitor coupled to said antenna and to said logic circuit means, and a second capacitor coupled to said logic circuit means and said first capacitor, said method comprising:

a) generating with said logic circuit at the output thereof a high impedance when said logic circuit receives said second control signal in said first state from said signal generating means, said high impedance causing said first capacitor, second capacitor, and antenna to constitute a first tuned LC circuit tuned to a first frequency;

b) receiving at said antenna a signal at said first frequency, said tuned LC circuit resonating in response thereto to provide a voltage signal;

c) applying a signal related to said voltage signal to said signal generating means;

d) in response to step c), changing said second control signal from said first state to said second state, and generating with said signal generating means said first signal of a second frequency, whereby said logic circuit provides at the output thereof a transmittal signal of said second frequency, and wherein when said second state of said second control signal is generated by said signal generating means, said output of said logic circuit is at a low impedance and said first capacitor and antenna constitute a second tuned LC circuit tuned to said second frequency;

e) transmitting said transmittal signal via said antenna.