Evaluating the position of a disturbance

Details Evaluating the position of a disturbance Evaluating the position of a disturbance

2011-08-23

2011-08-23

Ko, Tony (Department: 2878)

Radiant energy

Photocells; circuits and apparatus

Optical or pre-photocell system

C250S227110, C250S227190, C385S012000, C385S032000

Reexamination Certificate

active

08003932

ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for evaluating the position of a disturbance, in particular using a waveguide having a plurality of overlap regions. A position sensor is provided including: an optical waveguide; a transmission stage for launching a sensing signal into the waveguide; a receiving stage arranged to receive a returned sensing signals which returned sensing signal is a time distributed signal derived from backscattered components of the sensing signal, the waveguide being arranged along a path having a plurality of overlap regions such that a disturbance in an overlap region causes a first disturbance feature and a second disturbance feature in the returned sensing signal; and, monitoring means for monitoring the returned signal, such that a respective time of return can be associated with the first and second disturbance feature. Both return features can then be used to evaluate the position of the disturbance so as to enhance the resolution of the position sensor.

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