System and method for enabling determination of a position of a transponder
First Claim
1. A system for positioning a transponder, comprising:
- an antenna array of at least two spaced-apart antennas coupled to a common generating and switching unit, the common generating and switching unit being configured to generate a periodic signal (TS) and to switch the periodic signal between the at least two spaced-apart antennas, the periodic signal constituting a positioning signal transmitted to the transponder;
a receiver for receiving a returned signal (RS) from the transponder;
a phase difference estimator coupled to the receiver and operable to measure phase differences between portions of the returned signal, the portions being separated by a time delay and having a same single frequency, wherein each portion is transmitted by a different antenna of the at least two spaced-apart antennas; and
a positioning utility coupled to the phase difference estimator and configured to determine a position of the transponder relative to the positioning system based on the measurement of the phase differences.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided a method and system for positioning a transponder, the system comprising an antenna array of at least two spaced-apart antennas coupled to a common generating and switching unit. The generating and switching unit is configured for generating a periodic signal and switching the signal between said at least two antennas, constituting a positioning signal transmitted to the transponder. The system comprises a receiver for receiving a returned signal and a phase difference estimator coupled to the receiver and operable to measure phase differences between portions of the returned signal. The system further comprises a positioning utility coupled to said phase difference estimator and configured to determine the position of the transponder relative to the positioning system.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for positioning a transponder, comprising:
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an antenna array of at least two spaced-apart antennas coupled to a common generating and switching unit, the common generating and switching unit being configured to generate a periodic signal (TS) and to switch the periodic signal between the at least two spaced-apart antennas, the periodic signal constituting a positioning signal transmitted to the transponder; a receiver for receiving a returned signal (RS) from the transponder; a phase difference estimator coupled to the receiver and operable to measure phase differences between portions of the returned signal, the portions being separated by a time delay and having a same single frequency, wherein each portion is transmitted by a different antenna of the at least two spaced-apart antennas; and a positioning utility coupled to the phase difference estimator and configured to determine a position of the transponder relative to the positioning system based on the measurement of the phase differences. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for positioning a transponder, comprising:
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generating a periodic signal and switching the periodic signal between at least two spaced-apart antennas of an antenna array of known locations coupled to a common generating and switching unit; transmitting the periodic signal to the transponder and receiving a returned signal from the transponder; measuring phase differences between portions of the returned signal, the portions being separated by a time delay and having a same single frequency, wherein each portion is transmitted by a different antenna of the at least two spaced-apart antennas; and determining a position of the transponder relative to the system based on the measurement of the phase differences. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification