Electricity: measuring and testing – Measuring – testing – or sensing electricity – per se – With waveguide or long line
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-09
2001-09-18
Metjahic, Safet (Department: 2858)
Electricity: measuring and testing
Measuring, testing, or sensing electricity, per se
With waveguide or long line
Reexamination Certificate
active
06291982
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a true average wide dynamic range power sensor (TA-WDR) that can be used to make accurate power measurements from −70 dBm to +20 dBm or more (wide dynamic range), regardless of the format of the signal (true average). True average sensors have been in use for many decades in the −70 dBm to −20 dBm (based on diode operating in its “square-law” region), and −30 dBm to +20 dBm (based on thermocouple, or thermistor, or diode sensor with an attenuator at its input) separately. There is not a single sensor that covers the entire dynamic range stated above.
Recently, diode based wide dynamic range sensors have been introduced that cover the entire −70 dBm to +20 dBm range by pushing a diode sensor way beyond its limit (−20 dBm) for measuring the power. Because the diode is beyond its limit for true average power measurement in the −20 dBm to +20 dBm, these sensors can only be used for measuring power accurately of a single-frequency (continuous wave signal or CW signal). Most applications require measurement of complex signals with many frequency components in it (immense demand for such sensors is due to the fast growing digital communications market).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a true average wide dynamic range power sensor (TA-WDR) that can be used to make accurate power measurements from −70 dBm to +20 dBm or more (wide dynamic range), regardless of the format of the signal (true average).
In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a true average wide dynamic range power sensor comprising means for receiving RF signals having wide dynamic power ranges; a first RF path including a low power diode sensor for measuring RF signals having low power ranges; a second RF path including a high power sensor for measuring RF signals having high power ranges; and means for isolating the first RF path when the high power RF signals exceeds the square law region of the diode sensor.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4873484 (1989-10-01), Adam
patent: 4943764 (1990-07-01), Szente et al.
patent: 5204613 (1993-04-01), Cripps et al.
patent: 5656929 (1997-08-01), Humpherys
Agilent Technologie,s Inc.
Kerveros J
Metjahic Safet
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