Inventors:
Lawrence Garde - Bloomington MN
International Classification:
H04B 100
Abstract:
A general-purpose, adaptable, device for interfacing acoustic and ultrasonic transducers to circuits for high resolution distance and motion measurement, and two-way communication. A generator signal (52) synchronizes to a sensing transducer signal (21), or a reference signal (23). A detector (20) provides a detected-cycle signal (22) and a detected-amplitude signal (24) from the signal being detected. Comparator (30) creates a comparator signal (32) from the detected-cycle and generator signals. A sustaining circuit provides flywheel operation during gaps. A driver (60) drives a radiating transducer. Options include: single or dual transducer operation, continuous or pulsed-burst operation, optimum frequency communication using low cost piezoelectric transducers, sonic wave frequency scanning, phase and amplitude modulation and demodulation, fast synchronization, detected vs reference signal comparison, and self-testing.