Ionic fluid antenna

• US 10,498,018 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2015
• Issued: 12/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jonathan P. Towle
• Original Assignee: Jonathan P. Towle
• Inventors: Towle, Jonathan P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Baltzell, Andrea Lindgren
• Application Number:
  US15/329,109
• Publication Number:
  US 20170214131A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,589 Days
• Field of Search: 343701
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/662 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 7/00 Volume-flow measuring devices with two or more measuring ranges; Compound meters
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/366 using an ionized gas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/22 varying the orientation in accordance with variation of frequency of radiated wave
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0852 Quantum cryptography transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. light, infrared H04B10/00; wavelength-division multiplex systems H04J14/02; WDM arrangements H04J14/03

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to an apparatus for providing an ionic fluid antenna. The apparatus may include a body configured to contain an ionic fluid, an acoustic transducer coupled to the body, and a power supply coupled to the acoustic transducer that is configured to drive the acoustic transducer in accordance with at least one frequency. Aspects of the disclosure are directed to an apparatus for providing an ionic fluid antenna used in secure communications, comprising: a body configured to contain an ionic fluid, an acoustic transducer coupled to the body, and a power supply coupled to the acoustic transducer that is con figured to drive the acoustic transducer based on an encryption of data using polarized photons for quantum key distribution.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing an ionic fluid antenna, comprising:

a body configured to contain an ionic fluid;

a first acoustic transducer coupled to a first end of the body; and

a power supply coupled to the first acoustic transducer that is configured to drive the first acoustic transducer in accordance with at least one frequency; and

a second acoustic transducer coupled to a second end of the body that is opposite the first end of the body.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ionic fluid comprises at least one of plasma and an ionic liquid.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is configured as a hollow cylinder.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a non-conductive material.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the non-conductive material comprises at least one of glass and plastic.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first acoustic transducer and the second acoustic transducer are configured to produce a standing wave during operation of the ionic fluid antenna.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second acoustic transducer is coupled to the power supply.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a second power supply coupled to the second acoustic transducer that is configured to drive the second acoustic transducer in accordance with a second at least one frequency.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one frequency is different from the second at least one frequency.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an electrode coupled to the acoustic transducer and the body; and

a power source configured to produce radio frequency that is coupled to the electrode.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first acoustic transducer and the second acoustic transducer are is included in a plurality of transducers arranged as part of a hexagonal geometry.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein adjacent pairs of the plurality of transducers are configured to be driven in accordance with the at least one frequency.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a resonator coupled to the transducer;

a resonator neck coupled to the resonator; and

a conical coupler coupled to the neck.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a tube; and

an electrode coupled to the tube.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the tube is of a length of approximately three-quarters of a wavelength associated with the operation of the apparatus, and wherein the electrode is separated from the transducer by approximately five-quarters of the wavelength.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the resonator has a length that is approximately one-quarter of a wavelength associated with the operation of the apparatus.

11. An apparatus for providing an ionic fluid antenna, comprising:

a body configured to contain an ionic fluid;

an acoustic transducer coupled to the body; and

a power supply coupled to the acoustic transducer that is configured to drive the acoustic transducer in accordance with at least one frequency;

an electrode coupled to the acoustic transducer and the body; and

a power source configured to produce radio frequency that is coupled to the electrode;

wherein the electrode is configured to inject the radio frequency signal as a voltage varying with frequency into the ionic fluid when the ionic fluid antenna is operated in a transmit mode.

12. An apparatus for providing an ionic fluid antenna, comprising:

a body configured to contain an ionic fluid;

an acoustic transducer coupled to the body; and

a power supply coupled to the acoustic transducer that is configured to drive the acoustic transducer in accordance with at least one frequency;

an electrode coupled to the acoustic transducer and the body; and

a power source configured to produce radio frequency that is coupled to the electrode;

wherein the electrode is configured to extract a voltage varying with frequency when the ionic fluid antenna is operated in a receive mode.

19. An apparatus for providing an ionic fluid antenna used in secure communications, comprising:

a body configured to contain an ionic fluid;

an acoustic transducer coupled to the body; and

a power supply coupled to the acoustic transducer that is configured to drive the acoustic transducer based on an encryption of data using polarized photons for quantum key distribution.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the encryption is extended based on the use of a frequency scheduling table for the ionic fluid antenna and a second ionic fluid antenna.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the frequency scheduling table comprises a series of random frequencies, and wherein the apparatus is configured to exchange the frequency scheduling table with a second ionic fluid antenna and switch between the frequency scheduling table and a second frequency scheduling table at predetermined time intervals.