Method for operating an electrical device and electrical device

• US 8,976,055 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2008
• Issued: 03/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Krapf, Reiner, Braun, Heiko, Mahler, Michael, Dunger, Hartmut, Wuersch, Christoph, Kaneider, Wilfried
• Primary Examiner(s): Sotomayor, John B
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINDRICH, MARCUS E
• Application Number:
  US12/808,645
• Publication Number:
  US 20110032138A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,273 Days
• Field of Search: 342/22, 342/27, 342/82, 342/85, 342/88, 342/159
• US Class Current: 342/22
• 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 7/021 Auxiliary means for detecting or identifying radar signals or the like, e.g. radar jamming signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/023 Interference mitigation, e.g. reducing or avoiding non-intentional interference with other HF-transmitters, base station transmitters for mobile communication or other radar systems, e.g. using electro-magnetic interference [EMI] reduction techniques auxiliary means for detecting or identifying radar signals or the like G01S7/021; means for anti-jamming G01S7/36
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4004 of parts of a radar system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating an electrical device which during operation emits electromagnetic radiation at least temporarily, and to a method for operating a locating device for identifying objects. The method for operating an electrical device is characterized in that the presence of an external radiation source or radio communication service is detected. The invention also relates to an electrical device, especially a locating device comprising at least one UWB sensor, which device is operated according to the method of the invention.

Claims

1. Method for operating an electrical device which during operation at least temporarily emits electromagnetic radiation using an ultra wideband emitter, wherein the electrical device comprises a locating device for identifying objects in a medium, the method comprising:

detecting the presence of an interfering signal from an external radiation source or an external radio communication service while the emitter of the electrical device is emitting electromagnetic radiation,

communicating the presence of the detected interfering signal to the operator via a display and/or acoustically; and

modifying the operation of the electrical device in response to the detection of the detected interfering signal by;

a) reducing the emitted power of the electrical device with the emitter on or switching off the emitter of the electrical device in response to the detection of the detected interfering signal;

b) continuously monitoring the detected interfering signal while the emitted power of the electrical device is reduced or the emitter is off; and

c) then restoring the emitted power of the electrical device or switching on the emitter when the detected interfering signal is no longer detected.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the presence of an external radiation source or the external radio communication service is detected with the aid of a receiving antenna of the electrical device.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the presence of the external radiation source or the external radio communication service is detected by detecting an altered reception spectrum of the electrical device caused by the external radiation source or the external radio communication service while the electrical device is held stationary.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the presence of the external radiation source or the external radio communication service is detected by at least one additional dedicated receiver for the external radiation source or the external radio communication service.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a comparison of at least two frequency spectra is carried out for detecting the external radiation source or the external radio communication service.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one current reception spectrum of the electrical device during operation is compared with a reference spectrum.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the reference spectrum, with which the current reception spectrum of the electrical device is compared, is stored in said electrical device.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the reference spectrum, with which the current reception spectrum of the electrical device is compared, is generated by averaging the reception signal of the electrical device over an extended period of time.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the reference spectrum, with which the current reception spectrum of the electrical device is compared, is generated by averaging the reception signal of said electrical device over an extended period of time, extreme values, which result from the external radiation source or the external radio communications service, being excluded.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the reference spectrum, with which the current reception spectrum of the electrical device is compared, is generated by an internal reference network of said electrical device, particularly by an internal short circuit network.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the identification of an external radiation source or an external radio communication service is transmitted to the operator.

14. Electrical device comprising a locating device for detecting objects enclosed in a medium, having at least one UWB sensor, operated with a method according to claim 1.

11. A method for operating an electrical device which during operation at least temporarily emits electromagnetic radiation using an ultra wideband emitter, wherein the electrical device comprises a locating device for identifying objects in a medium, the method comprising:

detecting the transmission of an interfering signal from an external radiation source or an external radio communication service while the emitter of the detection unit of the electrical device is switched off;

communicating the presence of the detected interfering signal to the operator via a display and/or acoustically; and

continuously monitoring the detected interfering signal while the electrical device is off; and

then switching on the emitter when the detected interfering signal is no longer transmitting.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the reception power of the electrical device is measured.