Method and apparatus for locating impedance mismatches in a radio frequency communication system
US6842011B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 27, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 11, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 15, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R27/04
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A communication system uses a reflected signal to determine the location of an impedance mismatch along a transmission path. The system provides a forward signal through the transmission path, and obtains, using a feedback loop, forward signal samples and reflected signal samples from the forward signal and a reflected signal, respectively. Assuming a significant mismatch exists, the system identifies a time delay of any impedance mismatch from the forward signal samples and the reflected signal samples. The physical location of the mismatch along the transmission path is determined based on the time delay and a propagation velocity of the forward signal through the transmission path. The magnitude of the mismatch is determined based on a voltage gain calculation, a loss profile of the transmission path, the propagation velocity, and the time delay. In one embodiment, the method is carried out in a communications base station that includes an amplifier, a feedback loop, a feedback receiver, and a processor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.