Superconductive Sensor Phase Discrimination for Compact Direction Finding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radio frequency (RF) direction finding systems require large antennas with large spacing, limiting their use due to size and complexity, especially for detecting low-frequency signals with long wavelengths.
Innovation Solution
The use of superconductive sensors spaced apart to detect a phase difference in electromagnetic signals, with a nonlinear detector and differential circuit to produce an output signal representing the phase difference, allowing direction determination without the need for large antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional RF receivers with large antenna spacing are used to detect low frequency signals, then direction finding capability is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using superconductive sensors that operate at cryogenic temperatures, enabling them to detect phase differences in low frequency signals without requiring large antenna spacing. This parameter change (temperature) fundamentally alters the detection capability, allowing compact device size while maintaining direction finding precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical antenna system with a superconductive sensor system that uses quantum mechanical effects (Josephson junctions) to detect electromagnetic signals. This substitution eliminates the need for large physical antenna structures while maintaining the ability to detect low frequency signals for direction finding
2Reliability
If large baseline antenna arrays are deployed for long wavelength detection, then detection range is improved, but portability and application flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the temperature parameter to cryogenic levels, superconductive sensors achieve enhanced detection sensitivity that enables long wavelength detection in compact configurations. This allows the system to maintain detection range while becoming portable and adaptable to various platforms such as UAVs and handheld devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the detection function into multiple superconductive sensors spaced at small intervals, with each sensor contributing to the overall detection capability. This segmentation allows the system to achieve long baseline detection performance through signal processing rather than physical distance, enabling portability
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
Enables accurate phase discrimination and direction finding on a small platform with a small baseline, suitable for high-frequency signals, potentially for use in compact devices like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Implementation Method 1
first and second superconductive sensors receive an electromagnetic signal
Implementation Method 2
A nonlinear detector detects a voltage difference between the first and second voltage signals and provides an output signal representing the detected voltage difference
Data Source
AI summary
First and second superconductive sensors receive an electromagnetic signal. The first and second superconductive sensors are spaced apart such that there is a phase difference between the electromagnetic signal as received at the first and second superconductive sensors. The first and second superconductive sensors output respective first and second voltage signals corresponding to the electromagnetic signal as received by the first and second superconductive sensors. A nonlinear detector detects a voltage difference between the first and second voltage signals and provides an output signal representing the detected voltage difference. The output signal corresponds to the phase difference between the electromagnetic signal as received at the first and second superconductive sensors.