Antenna design and interrogator system
First Claim
1. A communication method for enabling communication between a first device and a second device, the method comprising:
- providing a first signal representing a radio frequency (RF) signal;
providing a second signal representing a power signal;
providing a third signal representing at least one of a control signal and a data signal;
providing a single cable for carrying the first, second and third signals;
the third signal being carried on the second signal;
providing a first layer of series parallel spaced conductors through which currents are sequentially switched to produce tangential and normal magnetic field components; and
providing a second parallel layer of orthogonally oriented parallel spaced conductors that provide three-dimensional operations where currents are sequentially switched in both layers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Where a single cable conveys bidirectional RF signals and bidirectional data using a data carrying DC power signal where the RF signals and the bidirectional data carrying DC power signal are separated using frequency selective networks. Alternatively a single cable conveys bidirectional RF signals and bidirectional data using a modulated RF data signal where the RF signals and the bidirectional modulated RF data signal are separated using frequency selective networks. A array of switchable antennas where RF switching elements are integral to the antennas is connected to the single cable and is powered by and communicated with through the cable. The array of switchable antennas can be arranged to produce an interrogation field in any of one, two or three dimensions by the antennas being arranged to provide for a series of parallel spaced conductors through which currents are sequentially switched in order to produce both tangential and normal magnetic field components. The spatial relationship of the sequentially switched currents is chosen to ensure that at different times a tangential and a normal magnetic field are produced at the same location. The conductors are preferably arranged in a planar fashion and the tangential and normal magnetic fields are produced above the planar surface. A single layer of parallel spaced conductors provides for one or two dimensional operations. Adding a second parallel layer of orthogonally oriented parallel spaced conductors provides three dimensional operations where currents are sequentially switched in both layers.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A communication method for enabling communication between a first device and a second device, the method comprising:
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providing a first signal representing a radio frequency (RF) signal; providing a second signal representing a power signal; providing a third signal representing at least one of a control signal and a data signal; providing a single cable for carrying the first, second and third signals; the third signal being carried on the second signal; providing a first layer of series parallel spaced conductors through which currents are sequentially switched to produce tangential and normal magnetic field components; and providing a second parallel layer of orthogonally oriented parallel spaced conductors that provide three-dimensional operations where currents are sequentially switched in both layers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification