Multi-channel radiometer imaging system

• US 7,199,570 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2005
• Issued: 04/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reveal Imaging, LLC
• Original Assignee: Xytrans, Inc.
• Inventors: Ammar, Danny F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirshfeld; Andrew H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HOAI AN D
• Application Number:
  US11/280,003
• Publication Number:
  US 20070024268A1
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 324/76.14, 324/76.13, 324/76.12, 324/76.11, 342/351, 343/703, 374120-122, 250/250
• US Class Current: 324/76.14
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/006 using measurement of the effect of a material on microwaves or longer electromagnetic waves, e.g. measuring temperature via microwaves emitted by the object G01K17/003, G01J5/00 take precedence; measuring the effect of a material on X-, gamma- or particle radiation G01K11/30
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48137 the bodies being arranged next to each other, e.g. on a common substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01019 Potassium [K]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01079 Gold [Au]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/12032 Schottky diode
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/14 Integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/1423 Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit [MMIC]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/19041 being a capacitor

Abstract

A radiometer includes a housing and an RF board carried by the housing. A hybrid and amplifier circuit receives an unknown signal and a known reference signal. A switch receives signals as inputs from the hybrid and amplifier circuit and switches between the inputs. A detection circuit receives and detects the signal from the switch forming a detected signal. A controller board is carried by the housing and an integration circuit and processor receive the detected signal and produces a digital output.

Claims

1. A MMIC comprising:

a hybrid and amplifier circuit that is adapted to receive an unknown signal and known reference signal and comprising a first quadrature hybrid as an input having at least one radio frequency (RF) input and parallel signal path outputs;

at least one amplifier connected to each signal path output of the first quadrature hybrid;

a second quadrature hybrid connected to the at least one amplifier at each signal path and having parallel RF outputs, wherein the amplifiers provide equalized amplifier gain;

a switch positioned after the dual channel quadrature hybrid network and operatively connected to the parallel RF outputs of the second quadrature hybrid for selecting one of the RF outputs and providing a single RF output; and

a detector operatively connected to the switch for detecting the single RF output from the switch.

2. A MMIC according to claim 1, wherein said switch comprises a non-reflective switch.

3. A MMIC according to claim 1, wherein said switch is operative for minimizing any amplifier noise.

4. A MMIC according to claim 1, wherein said detector comprises a diode.

5. A MMIC according to claim 1, wherein said detector is ground connected.

6. A MMIC according to claim 1, and further comprising dual RF inputs and RF outputs.