Single Pixel Camera for Electromagnetic Field Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing high-frequency electromagnetic systems, particularly in the mm-wave regime, face challenges due to the complexity of system integration and the difficulty of performing over-the-air (OTA) testing, especially in production environments.
Innovation Solution
The use of a single pixel camera in conjunction with Rydberg atom-based sensing to measure high-frequency electromagnetic fields, allowing for near-field imaging and efficient OTA testing with high sensitivity and resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional multiple-pixel imaging systems are used for electromagnetic field measurement, then spatial resolution is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging functions into a single pixel detector. By using computational imaging techniques and algorithms, the system achieves multi-pixel spatial resolution capabilities while physically utilizing only one detector element, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical multi-pixel detector arrays with computational methods. Instead of using multiple physical sensors to achieve spatial resolution, the system uses a single pixel detector combined with computational algorithms to reconstruct spatial information, substituting mechanical/physical complexity with computational processing
2Loss of information
If conventional imaging systems are used for OTA testing, then comprehensive field measurement is improved, but testing time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary computational processing of the electromagnetic field data using a single pixel detector. By pre-processing the field information computationally rather than requiring comprehensive multi-pixel spatial sampling, the system achieves complete field measurement capabilities while significantly reducing testing time and improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement approach from spatial domain sampling with multiple pixels to temporal domain sampling with a single pixel. By varying measurement parameters over time and using computational reconstruction, the system achieves comprehensive field measurement at higher speeds, improving productivity without sacrificing measurement completeness
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
This approach enables fast and cost-effective OTA testing, capable of imaging electromagnetic fields with high sensitivity and resolution, which is essential for ensuring regulatory compliance and optimizing the performance of high-frequency devices.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, at a vapor-cell sensor, input optical signals and electromagnetic radiation from at least a test device to generate an output optical signal
Implementation Method 2
The technique is based on electromagnetically induced transparency and Autler-Townes splitting
Implementation Method 3
passing the input optical signals through a vapor in the vapor-cell sensor, and while passing, reflecting one or more of the input optical signals off the dielectric mirror to produce one or more respective output optical signals
Implementation Method 4
processing the output optical signal at a single pixel camera to generate camera output data
Data Source
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AI summary
In a general aspect, an imaging method is presented that includes receiving, at a vapor-cell sensor, input optical signals and electromagnetic radiation from at least a test device to generate an output optical signal. The output optical signal is processed at a single pixel camera to generate camera output data. An image of the electromagnetic radiation is constructed by operation of a computer system based on the camera output data. In some implementations, the single pixel camera includes a patterned light generator and a photodetector. In these implementations, the imaging method includes receiving, at the photodetector, patterned instances of the output optical signal generated by the patterned light generator. Each patterned instance represents a respective portion of the image of the electromagnetic radiation. Moreover, the intensity of each patterned instance may be measured, by operation of at least the photodetector, to generate the camera output data.