RF switch telemetry system and method
US7626285B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 10, 2007 |
| Grant date | Dec 1, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H47/002
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The position of an RF switch, or switches, in a matrix switch drive system is monitored using AC rather than DC measurement techniques. Using the same wiring as the matrix switch drive system so as not to increase the size and weight of the switch installation, a low current AC signal is provided during non-actuation of the RF switch(es) to each of plural combinations of a capacitor and a microswitch serially connected across each switch coil. With the capacitor and switch coil exhibiting inverse impedance responses to increasing AC frequency, when the microswitch is open only the coil impedance is read and when the microswitch is closed only the capacitor impedance is read. Using a switch coil with an inductance of 1 henry and a capacitor with a capacitance of 0.1 farads, the difference in impedance between the microswitch ON and OFF states is an easily detectable two orders of magnitude.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.