83 results about "RF probe" patented technology

A radio frequency sensing, control, and particulate matter diagnostics network and system and method and, more specifically, a radio frequency particulate filter diagnostics system comprising a housing including an inlet connected to a source of particulate matter, a particulate filter in the housing and adapted for filtering the particulate matter, and a radio frequency sensor adapted to detect conditions of abnormal particulate filter or system operation and including at least one radio frequency probe configured to be in contact with the housing for the particulate filter housing and adapted to receive radio frequency signals and a radio frequency control unit in communication with the radio frequency probe.

A system for ablating lesions in the interior regions of the human body including a RF catheter and a control system adapted to facilitate the automatic step deployment of an array-type energy delivery system positioned within the catheter. The RF catheter and control system further include an auto array deployment mechanism coupled to the array-type energy delivery system and an impedance and temperature monitoring system. In addition, the system includes a probe positioning device adapted to maintain a RF probe in a desired orientation during ablation procedures.

A radio frequency sensing, control, and particulate matter diagnostics network and system and method and, more specifically, a radio frequency particulate filter diagnostics system comprising a housing including an inlet connected to a source of particulate matter, a particulate filter in the housing and adapted for filtering the particulate matter, and a radio frequency sensor adapted to detect conditions of abnormal particulate filter or system operation and including at least one radio frequency probe configured to be in contact with the housing for the particulate filter housing and adapted to receive radio frequency signals and a radio frequency control unit in communication with the radio frequency probe.

The subject invention pertains to an imaging technique and apparatus which can utilize an array of RF probes to measure the non-resonant thermal noise which is produced within a sample, such as a body, and produce a non-resonant thermal noise correlation. The detected noise correlation is a function of the spatial overlap of the electromagnetic fields of the probes and the spatial distribution of the conductivity of the sample. The subject technique, which can be referred to as Noise Tomography (NT), can generate a three-dimensional map of the conductivity of the sample. Since the subject invention utilizes detection of the thermal noise generated within the body, the subject method can be non-invasive and can be implemented without requiring external power, chemicals, or radionuclides to be introduced into the body. The subject imaging method can be used as a stand along technique or can be used in conjunction with other imaging techniques.

A phased array antenna system including a plurality of metal, column-like elements formed adjacent the RF probes for improving the electrical performance of the system. In one embodiment a hole is formed in a multi-layer, probe-integrated printed wiring board of the system and metal material is plated thereon to fill the hole. The metal, column-like elements are each disposed generally in between associated pairs of the RF probes. The metal, column-like elements essentially form metal pins that improve the return loss bandwidth, probe-to-probe isolation, insertion loss bandwidth, higher order mode suppression and cross-polarization generation.

The present invention generally provides methods and apparatus for controlling ion dosage in real time during plasma processes. In one embodiment, ion dosages may be controlled using in-situ measurement of the plasma from a mass distribution sensor combined with in-situ measurement from an RF probe.

An RF probe is disclosed for use in treating living tissue under repair or rehabilitation. The probe carries radio-frequency (RF) energy to a treatment zone through one or more prongs that penetrate and pierce the treatment location. The probe has another end, which attaches to an RF generator during operation. An insulator covers most of the probe, from the RF generator attachment end to the base of the prong end. The prongs are generally parallel and have sharpened ends for penetration. An insulating cap is further placed on the RF generator attachment end and is utilized to secure a lead from the RF generator during treatment.

The subject invention pertains to an imaging technique and apparatus which can utilize an array of RF probes to measure the non-resonant thermal noise which is produced within a sample, such as a body, and produce a non-resonant thermal noise correlation. The detected noise correlation is a function of the spatial overlap of the electromagnetic fields of the probes and the spatial distribution of the conductivity of the sample. The subject technique, which can be referred to as Noise Tomography (NT), can generate a three-dimensional map of the conductivity of the sample. Since the subject invention utilizes detection of the thermal noise generated within the body, the subject method can be non-invasive and can be implemented without requiring external power, chemicals, or radionuclides to be introduced into the body. The subject imaging method can be used as a stand along technique or can be used in conjunction with other imaging techniques.

A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method having a magnet assembly, which provides substantially flat surfaces of constant magnetic field outside the assembly and a set of magnetic field gradients. One-, two-, and three-dimensional images are rendered. The static magnetic field is virtually uniform within horizontal degrees of freedom and decreases monotonically in a direction away from the surface. An RF probe, for example, a coil, located adjacent the surface, produces a field substantially perpendicular to the static magnetic field. A magnetic field gradient is set to horizontally scan a given level within the sensitive volume. Received magnetic resonance signals are detected by the coil for a depth corresponding to the excitation frequency. As the tuning and excitation frequency is switched to lower values, signals are generated for layers progressively farther from the surface. The RF probe is automatically tuned. Depth profiles are rendered by concatenating the signals collected at various frequencies. Horizontal resolution is attained by the use of controlled magnetic field gradients.

An Antenna measurement system incorporating high speed tracking laser-based global positioning capture synchronized with radio frequency (RF) measurements. A high speed tracking laser is used for collecting RF probe position data synchronously with corresponding near-field RF measurements. The probe may be moved across an arbitrary surface surrounding or adjacent to a device under test (DUT); however, it is not necessary for the probe position to be perfectly coincident with the surface, or any of the discrete points which make up the surface. Here, the probe position is determined relative to a global positioning coordinate system which is defined by a set of monuments which are in known positions relative to the global positioning coordinate system, and not the DUT. Any difference between the actual position of the probe, in the global position coordinate system, and a given one of the discrete measuring points, in the global position coordinate system, on the surface surrounding or adjacent to the DUT can be accounted for during post processing, thus eliminating the need for advanced or intermittent calibration to achieve precise near-field measurements.

An impedance measuring apparatus includes a plurality of RF (radio frequency) probes; a plurality of rotation mechanisms coupled to the plurality of RF probes, respectively; a processing unit, and a mechanical controller. The mechanical controller controls the plurality of rotation mechanisms and the plurality of RF probes to measure package RF signals between terminals formed on a package substrate. The processing unit measures calibration RF signals between terminals formed on at least one calibration substrate; determines RF impedances of the package substrate from the package RF signals and phase differences corresponding to a thickness of the package substrate and distances between the terminals on the package substrate from the calibration RF signals, and calibrates the RF impedances based on the phase differences.

A radio frequency probe is positioned in a body lumen, and the body lumen is heated, using the radio frequency probe, to stabilize the body lumen for insertion of a stent graft or stent. Specifically, the heating shrinks a diameter the body lumen. In one example, blood is allowed to flow through the body lumen during the heating, and in another example, blood flow is blocked through the body lumen during the heating. Another method inserts a metallic mesh in an aneurysmal sac of an aortic aneurysm and expanding the metallic mesh to contact a wall of the aneurysmal sac. The metallic mesh is used to electro-coagulate blood from a Type II endoleak.

High reflection load pull tuners are proposed, which include two or more RF probes, placed in series into the same slotted airline (slabline) and being controlled simultaneously horizontally and vertically by remote electric control, allowing the creation of controlled reflection factors which are distributed over and cover the entire Smith Chart, from very low reflection factors up to very high reflection factors and a method allowing to align such tuners and to calibrate such tuners on a vector network analyzer.

An RF probe for a plasma chamber picks up current and voltage samples of the RF power applied to an RF plasma chamber, and the RF voltage and current waveforms are supplied to respective mixers. A local oscillator supplies both mixers with a local oscillator signal at the RF frequency plus or minus about 15 KHz, so that the mixers provide respective voltage and current baseband signals that are frequency shifted down to the audio range. The phase relation to the applied current and voltage is preserved in the baseband signals. These baseband signals are then applied to a stereo, two-channel A / D converter, which provides a serial digital signal to a digital signal processor or DSP. A local oscillator interface brings a feedback signal from the DSP to the local oscillator. The DSP can be suitably programmed to obtain complex Fast Fourier Transforms of the voltage and current baseband samples. The frequency-domain spectra are analyzed to obtain, with great accuracy, magnitude of voltage and current and phase angle. Other parameters are derived from these three.

Systems and methods for monitoring rotating machinery are disclosed. Transmitter and receiver antennas can be provided with access to the rotating machinery. At least one receiver signal resulting from at least one transmitter signal that has propagated through a portion of the rotating machinery can be obtained. A first signal pair can be formed from a first receiver signal and a first transmitter signal, or from first and second receiver signals obtained from spatially-separated receiver antennas, or from first and second receiver signals which are attributable to different transmitter signals. Amplitude and phase information of a plurality of frequency components for each signal in the first signal pair can be determined. A set of comparison values for the first signal pair can be determined by comparing respective frequency component phases or respective frequency component amplitudes. A characteristic of the rotating machinery can then be analyzed using the comparison values.

NMR probe coils designed to operate at two different frequencies, producing a strong and homogenous magnetic field at both the frequencies. This single coil, placed close to the sample, provides a method to optimize the NMR detection sensitivity of two different channels. In addition, the present invention describes a coil that generates a magnetic field that is parallel to the substrate of the coil as opposed to perpendicular as seen in the prior art. The present invention isolates coils from each other even when placed in close proximity to each other. A method to reduce the presence of electric field within the sample region is also considered. Further, the invention describes a method to adjust the radio-frequency tuning and coupling of the MAR probe coils.

NMR probe coils designed to operate at two different frequencies, producing a strong and homogenous magnetic field at both the frequencies. This single coil, placed close to the sample, provides a method to optimize the NMR detection sensitivity of two different channels. In addition, the present invention describes a coil that generates a magnetic field that is parallel to the substrate of the coil as opposed to perpendicular as seen in the prior art. The present invention isolates coils from each other even when placed in close proximity to each other. A method to reduce the presence of electric field within the sample region is also considered. Further, the invention describes a method to adjust the radio-frequency tuning and coupling of the MAR probe coils.

Multi-segment RF probes for automatic slide screw impedance tuners include a multitude of slugs, which are individually adjustable towards the center conductor of the slabline and spaced against each-other in order to create the required capacitance and transmission line space values needed for synthesizing resonant networks to match arbitrary reflection factor patterns over a given frequency range. The multi-segment probes are optimized using network synthesis software within the limits of the capacitance and inductance values allowed by the hardware. The probes allow constant phase testing for 100 MHz bandwidths or more.

RF electric fields produced by electric potential differences in NMR probe coil windings may penetrate the NMR sample and sample tube causing sensitivity loss and noise in NMR spectroscopy. Counter-wound spiral coils placed on the opposite surfaces of a planar substrate or on two adjacent planar substrates produce electric potentials that minimize the electric field over the sample region, thereby increasing the sensitivity of the NMR probe. Alternatively counter-wound spiral coils placed adjacent to each other on the outer surface of two concentric cylindrical surfaces that surround the NMR sample minimize the electric field over the sample region. The electric potential of the spiral coils is reduced by adjusting a length of at least one coil.

Systems and methods for monitoring rotating machinery are disclosed. Transmitter and receiver antennas can be provided with access to the rotating machinery. At least one receiver signal resulting from at least one transmitter signal that has propagated through a portion of the rotating machinery can be obtained. A first signal pair can be formed from a first receiver signal and a first transmitter signal, or from first and second receiver signals obtained from spatially-separated receiver antennas, or from first and second receiver signals which are attributable to different transmitter signals. Amplitude and phase information of a plurality of frequency components for each signal in the first signal pair can be determined. A set of comparison values for the first signal pair can be determined by comparing respective frequency component phases or respective frequency component amplitudes. A characteristic of the rotating machinery can then be analyzed using the comparison values.

The invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring the health of a selective catalytic reduction catalyst. A system includes a controller programmed to monitor an NH3 storage state of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst. The controller is programmed to receive signals representative of NH3 and / or NOX concentrations in a fluid both upstream of an inlet and downstream of an outlet of the SCR catalyst, to receive a signal representative of the measured NH3 storage of the SCR catalyst from at least one RF probe disposed within the SCR catalyst, to utilize a model to generate an estimated NH3 storage of the SCR catalyst based at least on the NH3 and / or NOX concentrations in the fluid both upstream and downstream of the SCR catalyst, to compare the estimated NH3 storage to the measured NH3 storage, and to output a control action for the SCR catalyst based at least on the comparison of the estimated NH3 storage to the measured NH3 storage.

A radio frequency sensing, control, and particulate matter diagnostics network and system and method and, more specifically, a radio frequency particulate filter diagnostics system comprising a housing including an inlet connected to a source of particulate matter, a particulate filter in the housing and adapted for filtering the particulate matter, and a radio frequency sensor adapted to detect conditions of abnormal particulate filter or system operation and including at least one radio frequency probe configured to be in contact with the housing for the particulate filter housing and adapted to receive radio frequency signals and a radio frequency control unit in communication with the radio frequency probe.

A medical probe assembly and method for ablating tissue using radio frequency energy. The medical probe assembly includes an elongated shaft, a needle electrode array, and a hinged handle. The handle has a collar, which when in the up position covers the hinge so that the device can be used as a conventional medical probe. When the collar is in the down position the hinge is exposed, and the handle can be bent to reduce its overall height. With this reduced height the probe can be used while a patient is lying in a CT scanner or an MRI chamber. Therefore, the surgeon can monitor the ablation during the procedure, and thus avoid unnecessary damage to the surrounding healthy tissue on the one hand, and insufficient ablation of the diseased tissue on the other hand. An alternate embodiment uses a flexible handle instead of a hinged one.

A cable to waveguide transition apparatus having a signal accumulation form of a backshort is disclosed. The cable to waveguide transition apparatus having a signal accumulation form of a backshort, includes: a waveguide; a RF probe for transferring a radio frequency (RF) signal to the waveguide; and a backshort having the signal accumulation form for reflecting the RF signal excited from the RF probe, wherein the backshort reflects a first fundamental frequency signal excited from the RF probe to have a phase identical to a phase of a second fundamental frequency signal excited from the RF probe to an aperture of the waveguide, and reflects a first 2-order harmonic frequency signal excited from the RF probe to have a phase reverse to a phase of a second 2-order harmonic frequency signal excited to an aperture of the waveguide in order to eliminate the 2-order harmonic frequency signal.

The invention discloses a radio frequency (RF) test method for a semiconductor RF device. The RF test method for the semiconductor RF device comprises the following steps of: setting an RF test total structure for testing the semiconductor RF device, wherein the RF test total structure comprises a semiconductor RF device structure to be tested and a de-embedding structure designed for placing an RF probe; calling a layout file of the de-embedding structure into electromagnetic simulation software and performing electromagnetic simulation on the de-embedding structure to acquire an RF parameter of the de-embedding structure; performing the RF test on the RF test total structure to acquire an RF parameter of the RF test total structure; and subtracting the RF parameter of the de-embedding structure by using the RF parameter of the RF test total structure to acquire an RF parameter of the semiconductor RF device structure to be tested. By the RF test method for the semiconductor RF device, the accuracy of the RF parameter is high, wherein the RF parameter is acquired by that the RF test total structure for testing the semiconductor RF device tests the semiconductor RF device by utilizing the conventional de-embedding structure which does not generate parasitic influence.

An antenna that includes a radial waveguide defining a waveguide region between opposed first and second surfaces. A radio frequency (RF) probe is disposed in the waveguide region for generating RF signals, and a plurality of radiating slot antenna elements are disposed on the first surface for emitting the RF signals from the waveguide region. A plurality of spaced apart conductive elements are disposed within the waveguide region. The antenna includes tunable elements that each include a quarter wavelength RF choke coupled through a variable capacitance and an inductive line to a respective one of the conductive elements. A plurality of DC control lines are provided, with each DC control line being connected to at least one of the tunable elements to adjust the variable capacitance thereof. A control circuit is coupled to the DC control lines and configured to selectively apply DC current values to adjust the variable capacitances of the tunable elements to control a propagation direction of the RF signals from the RF probe.

An impedance measuring apparatus includes a plurality of RF (radio frequency) probes; a plurality of rotation mechanisms coupled to the plurality of RF probes, respectively; a processing unit, and a mechanical controller. The mechanical controller controls the plurality of rotation mechanisms and the plurality of RF probes to measure package RF signals between terminals formed on a package substrate. The processing unit measures calibration RF signals between terminals formed on at least one calibration substrate; determines RF impedances of the package substrate from the package RF signals and phase differences corresponding to a thickness of the package substrate and distances between the terminals on the package substrate from the calibration RF signals, and calibrates the RF impedances based on the phase differences.

A system and method for determining the beam center location of an antenna, such as a global positioning system (GPS) antenna, are provided. A system for determining the beam center of an antenna may include a plurality of radio frequency (RF) probes, such as Integrated Transfer System (ITS) antenna elements, located at respective predefined positions surrounding the geometrical center of the antenna. The system may also include at least one detector configured to provide a measure of the RF power detected by each respective RF probe. The system may also include a processor configured to determine the beam center of the antenna based upon the predefined position of each RF probe and the measure of the RF power detected by each respective RF probe. A corresponding method is also provided.

An antenna that includes a radial waveguide defining a waveguide region between opposed first and second surfaces. A radio frequency (RF) probe is disposed in the waveguide region for generating RF signals, and a plurality of radiating slot antenna elements are disposed on the first surface for emitting the RF signals from the waveguide region. A plurality of spaced apart conductive elements are disposed within the waveguide region. The antenna includes tunable elements that each include a quarter wavelength RF choke coupled through a variable capacitance and an inductive line to a respective one of the conductive elements. A plurality of DC control lines are provided, with each DC control line being connected to at least one of the tunable elements to adjust the variable capacitance thereof. A control circuit is coupled to the DC control lines and configured to selectively apply DC current values to adjust the variable capacitances of the tunable elements to control a propagation direction of the RF signals from the RF probe.