Method and apparatus for measuring radio-frequency energy
First Claim
1. An ambient radio-frequency (RF) energy measurement apparatus for measuring energy available for RF harvesting at a particular location, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of antennas;
at least one wideband radio frequency detector coupled to the plurality of antennas to measure ambient RF energy, wherein each wideband radio frequency detector has an analog output indicative of RF input power received by the plurality of antennas;
at least one analog-to-digital converter coupled to each wideband radio frequency detector to convert the analog output to a digital value;
a spectrum analyzer coupled to the plurality of antennas through an RF multiplexer to perform an RF frequency measurement;
a Wi-Fi sniffer to confirm presence of Wi-Fi traffic within data measured by the spectrum analyzer and the at least one wideband radio frequency detector; and
a controller coupled to the spectrum analyzer and the at least one wideband radio frequency detector to generate an output indicative of ambient RF energy available for RF harvesting based on data from the spectrum analyzer and the at least one wideband radio frequency detector,wherein each digital value is applied to a calibration function to provide a number representing RF energy available at a particular location.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for measuring radio-frequency energy. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises one or more antennas, a wideband radio frequency detector (e.g., a logarithmic amplifier (LogAmp)) coupled to the one or more antennas to measure ambient RF energy, wherein the wideband radio frequency detector has an analog output indicative of RF input power received by the one or more antennas, and an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the wideband radio frequency detector to convert the analog output to a digital value, the digital value being applied to a calibration function, to provide a number representing RF energy.
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. An ambient radio-frequency (RF) energy measurement apparatus for measuring energy available for RF harvesting at a particular location, the apparatus comprising:
-
a plurality of antennas; at least one wideband radio frequency detector coupled to the plurality of antennas to measure ambient RF energy, wherein each wideband radio frequency detector has an analog output indicative of RF input power received by the plurality of antennas; at least one analog-to-digital converter coupled to each wideband radio frequency detector to convert the analog output to a digital value; a spectrum analyzer coupled to the plurality of antennas through an RF multiplexer to perform an RF frequency measurement; a Wi-Fi sniffer to confirm presence of Wi-Fi traffic within data measured by the spectrum analyzer and the at least one wideband radio frequency detector; and a controller coupled to the spectrum analyzer and the at least one wideband radio frequency detector to generate an output indicative of ambient RF energy available for RF harvesting based on data from the spectrum analyzer and the at least one wideband radio frequency detector, wherein each digital value is applied to a calibration function to provide a number representing RF energy available at a particular location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for processing radio-frequency (RF) energy to determine RF energy available for RF harvesting, the method comprising:
-
confirming, by a Wi-Fi sniffer, presence of Wi-Fi traffic within data measured by a spectrum analyzer and at least one wideband radio frequency detector, the spectrum analyzer to make RF frequency measurements; measuring RF energy using the at least one wideband radio frequency detector coupled to a plurality of antennas; generating an analog output indicative of RF input power received by the plurality of antennas; converting the analog output to a digital value; and applying the digital value to a calibration function to obtain a number representing RF energy. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification