Two terminal micropower radar sensor

• US 5,465,094 A
• Filed: 01/14/1994
• Issued: 11/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security LLC (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: McEwan, Thomas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hellner, Mark
• Application Number:
  US08/182,335
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 342/28, 342/21
• US Class Current: 342/28
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/0209 Systems with very large relative bandwidth, i.e. larger than 10 %, e.g. baseband, pulse, carrier-free, ultrawideband
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56

Abstract

A simple, low power ultra-wideband radar motion sensor/switch configuration connects a power source and load to ground. The switch is connected to and controlled by the signal output of a radar motion sensor. The power input of the motion sensor is connected to the load through a diode which conducts power to the motion sensor when the switch is open. A storage capacitor or rechargeable battery is connected to the power input of the motion sensor. The storage capacitor or battery is charged when the switch is open and powers the motion sensor when the switch is closed. The motion sensor and switch are connected between the same two terminals between the source/load and ground.

Claims

1. A two terminal micropower ultra-wideband (UWB) radar motion sensor/switch apparatus, comprising:

a first terminal;

a second terminal;

a switch connected between the first terminal and the second terminal;

a diode having its anode connected to the first terminal;

a UWB radar motion sensor connected electrically in parallel with the switch and having its power input connected to the cathode of the diode, its signal output connected to the switch to control the switch, and a ground lead connected to the second terminal;

an energy storage means connected between the power input of the UWB radar motion sensor and the second terminal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a load connected to the first terminal, a power source connected to the load, and having the second terminal connected to ground.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the power source is a DC source.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the switch is a MOSFET.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the switch is a Darlington connected bipolar transistor.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the switch is a silicon controlled rectifier.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the power source is an AC source.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the switch is an optically controlled thyristor.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a zener diode shunted across the energy storage means.

10. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the load is a light or buzzer.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energy storage means is a capacitor.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the capacitor is about 0.1 Farad.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energy storage means is a rechargeable battery.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a limiting resistor in series with the battery.

15. A two terminal micropower ultra-wideband (UWB) radar motion sensor/switch apparatus, comprising:

a first terminal;

a second terminal;

a MOSFET transistor having its drain connected to the first terminal and its source connected to the second terminal;

a diode having its anode connected to the first terminal;

a UWB radar motion sensor having its power input connected to the cathode of the diode, its signal output connected to the gate of the MOSFET transistor, and a ground lead connected to the second terminal;

an energy storage means connected between the power input of the UWB radar motion sensor and the second terminal.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a load connected to the first terminal, a DC power source connected to the load, and having the second terminal connected to ground.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the energy storage means is a capacitor.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the capacitor is about 0.1 Farad.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the energy storage means is a rechargeable battery.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising a limiting resistor in series with the battery.