Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g. – Determining distance
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-11
2001-06-12
Sotomayor, John B. (Department: 3662)
Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g.,
Determining distance
C342S127000, C342S135000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246358
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method for the processing of an analog electrical signal which is reflected from an object and received by a receiver where the amplitude of the signal received is a function of the distance of the object from the receiver. The invention also relates to an electronic circuit for the processing of an analog electrical signal with a receiver for the reception of the signal reflected from an object where the amplitude of the signal received is a function of the distance of the object from the receiver.
For example, in the case of distance measurements, the transmitted signal travels from the transmitter to the reflecting object and returns to the receiver. Over this path the signal is damped proportionally to the distance. The amplitude of the signal received is thus a function of the distance between the object and the transmitter or receiver. Also, the signal received is a function of the geometric size and, for example, of the reflectivity of the material of the object. The signal received from a small object with low reflectivity will be more attenuated than a signal from a larger object with high reflectivity.
The received signal must be digitized for further processing. For this purpose it must be converted by an analog/digital converter into a digital signal. For the reasons stated above, because of the possibly very high dynamic range of the amplitude of the received signal, the input range of the analog/digital conversion must be fully exploited so that the analog/digital conversion has low quantization noise in relation to the strength of the signal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the objective of the invention to provide a method and an electronic circuit for the processing of an analog electrical signal with which an improved utilization of the analog/digital conversion is possible.
This objective is realized according to the invention in a method of the initially mentioned type by adapting the signal to a reference signal. Also, the objective is realized according to the invention in the case of an electronic circuit of the initially mentioned type by providing a means of adapting the signal to a reference signal.
By adapting the signal to a reference signal, the dependence of the signal on the geometric size and the reflectivity of the object as well as on the angle of incidence of the wavefront and the position of the object is compensated for in the antenna characteristics. The signal is adapted to the reference signal independently of these parameters and thus has, after a transient recovery time, a value which can be predetermined. The input range of the analog/digital converter can thus be better exploited so that the signal
oise ratio can be increased in the case of signals that are small in relation to the reference value and the quantization noise can be decreased. In the case of signals that are large in relation to the reference value, overdriving and, thus, a reduction of the signal integrity are avoided.
In the case of an advantageous refinement of the invention, the signal is linked to a function with which the dependence on distance is compensated for. For this purpose, means for linking of the signal to a function are provided with which the dependence on distance can be compensated for.
By compensating for the dependence of the signal on distance, the input range of the analog/digital converter can be better exploited. Thus, the quantization noise in the case of small signals is reduced or the risk of overdriving is reduced.
Further characteristics, possibilities for application, and advantages of the invention follow from the subsequent description of embodiment examples of the invention which are represented in the figures of the drawing. Therein all described or represented characteristics individually or in arbitrary combination form the object of the invention independently of their summary in the claims or as referred to, as well as independently of their formulation or representation in the description or in the drawings.
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ITT Manufacturing Enterprises Inc.
Lewis J. Gordon
Sotomayor John B.
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