Multi-Antenna Microwave Sensor Time-Division Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microwave-type sensor devices for measuring moisture in media face performance degradation due to noise interference, leading to reduced measurement accuracy compared to electric resistance and capacity types.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device with multiple transmission and reception antennas, independent transmission and reception lines, and switches for time-divisional scanning, allowing sequential measurement across multiple antenna pairs to improve accuracy and reduce signal mixing, while also enabling power-saving operations and frequency variation for enhanced moisture measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If microwave type measurement is used, then measurement speed is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to noise interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement system into multiple transmission antennas and multiple reception antennas, creating multiple independent measurement channels. This segmentation allows the system to perform multiple measurements simultaneously or sequentially, improving both speed and accuracy by averaging results across multiple channels to reduce noise interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple transmission antennas and multiple reception antennas into a unified measurement system. By merging multiple measurement channels and combining their results, the system achieves both high-speed measurement (through parallel operation) and high accuracy (through noise reduction via multiple measurements).
2Area of stationary object
If multiple antenna pairs are used for comprehensive measurement, then measurement coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs transmission antennas and reception antennas that can serve multiple functions. Each antenna can act as both a transmitter and a receiver, and any transmission antenna can work with any reception antenna. This multi-functionality allows comprehensive measurement coverage while reducing the total number of components needed, thereby managing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic switching mechanisms that allow the system to flexibly configure which transmission antenna connects to which reception antenna based on measurement requirements. This dynamic reconfiguration capability enables comprehensive measurement coverage without requiring a fixed, complex physical layout of all possible antenna connections.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly enhances moisture measurement accuracy, reduces power consumption, and allows for comprehensive soil moisture profiling with improved signal integrity and frequency versatility.
Implementation Method 1
the transmission antenna transmits electromagnetic waves, the reception antenna receives the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the transmission antenna and propagating through a medium
Data Source
AI summary
In a device measuring an amount of moisture in a medium, the performance of the device is improved.The sensor device includes a transmission probe, a reception probe, and a measurement circuit. The transmission probe includes a plurality of transmission antennas, and the reception probe includes a plurality of reception antennas. In this sensor device, the measurement circuit performs time-divisional control in which control of selecting one transmission antenna among the plurality of transmission antennas each time and radiating electromagnetic waves is repeatedly performed until performance of radiation ends in all the antennas set in advance.