System and method for interrogating a saw via direct physical connection

Abstract

Methods for determining the resonant frequency for interrogation of a resonant device include steps for generating and coupling interrogation pulses of various bandwidths to energize one or more SAW resonator elements. Initial interrogation pulses have a relatively wide bandwidth, such that the general location of a resonant device's resonant frequency can be expediently determined. Then, interrogation pulses having smaller bandwidth pulses can be coupled to the resonant device at frequencies near the determined general location of resonance to further narrow the location of resonance. In some embodiments, one or more initial interrogation pulses are coupled to the resonant device at a frequency in the center of or at an expected value within an expected range of operation of a resonant device. If the resonant frequency is not located at this initial location, then the range of operation is divided into halves (or other number of generally equal frequency range segments) and one or more interrogation pulses are coupled to the resonant device at the center of each of the new search frequency range segments. This process of partitioning the search frequency range continues until the resonant frequency is located.

Description

[0001] priority claim [0002] This application was previously filed on January 19, 2006 by Jack Thiesen and George O'Brien, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING SEARCH TIME AND INCREASING SEARCH ACCURACY DURING INTERROGATION OF RESONANT DEVICES" Time and System and Method for Improving Search Accuracy), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. technical field [0003] The present invention generally relates to a system and method for interrogating resonator elements used, for example, in surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices. The surface acoustic wave device may be integrated with a tire or wheel assembly for sensing physical parameters such as ambient temperature and pressure. A general feature of the subject interrogation technique is reduced search time and increased search accuracy compared to other known methods. Background technique [0004] The combination of electronics and tire construction yields many practical advantages. The tire electroni...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although a variety of interrogation systems and corresponding search algorithms have been developed, none of the designs have been shown to provide the techniques described below for SAW interrogation that reduce search time and increase the level of accuracy

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