Abstract: A surface-launched acoustic wave sensor tag system for remotely sensing and/or providing identification information using sets of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor tag devices is characterized by acoustic wave device embodiments that include coding and other diversity techniques to produce groups of sensors that interact minimally, reducing or alleviating code collision problems typical of prior art coded SAW sensors and tags, and specific device embodiments of said coded SAW sensor tags and systems. These sensor/tag devices operate in a system which consists of one or more uniquely identifiable sensor/tag devices and a wireless interrogator. The sensor device incorporates an antenna for receiving incident RF energy and re-radiating the tag identification information and the sensor measured parameter(s). Since there is no power source in or connected to the sensor, it is a passive sensor. The device is wirelessly interrogated by the interrogator.

Abstract: Improved surface acoustic wave structures (or elements) that can be used to realize any of a wide variety of dispersive or non-dispersive transversal SAW filters that are distinct from prior known means for producing such filters are disclosed. The devices and structures may include stepped acoustic wave delay modification elements that can be used to implement transversal filter impulse response functions in a manner analogous to the use of interdigital transducers. The structures disclosed are of particular usefulness to implement SAW devices at high frequencies where normal photolithographic resolution would prove limiting. Aspects and embodiments of the present invention would be useful to produce SAW devices for use in a wide variety of applications, including as components in cell phones, in radar and other communications and electronic systems, and as wired or wireless sensors or sensor-tags.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a new and improved temperature compensated surface-launched acoustic wave (SAW) strain sensor using multiple reflectors in SAW devices mounted on a split-carrier package that provides complete isolation from strain for a temperature sensing portion of the device, while exposing a strain sensing portion of the device to both strain and temperature, with the influence of temperature being common to the various portions of the device, and a single acoustic reference with respect to which multiple differential acoustic measurements can be made, to provide inherently temperature-compensated strain measurements.

Abstract: Enhanced surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors and SAW sensor-tag wireless interface devices, including low loss devices, devices that enable enhanced use of time diversity for device identification, and devices suitable for use in band-limited environments (such as ISM band) and for use in ultra-wideband applications are disclosed. Antennas for use with both SAW sensors and/or tags, and wireless transceiver systems also are disclosed, including antennas suitable for operation in conductive media and in highly metallic environments, said antennas being used to activate and read said SAW sensors and/or tags. SAW sensors and sensor-tags and related methods for measuring scaled voltage and current in electrical conductors via measurements of the electric and magnetic fields thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: Enhanced surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors and SAW sensor-tag wireless interface devices, including low loss devices, devices that enable enhanced use of time diversity for device identification, and devices suitable for use in band-limited environments (such as ISM band) and for use in ultra-wideband applications are disclosed. Antennas for use with both SAW sensors and/or tags, and wireless transceiver systems also are disclosed, including antennas suitable for operation in conductive media and in highly metallic environments, said antennas being used to activate and read said SAW sensors and/or tags. SAW sensors and sensor-tags and related methods for measuring scaled voltage and current in electrical conductors via measurements of the electric and magnetic fields thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: Enhanced surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors and SAW sensor-tag wireless interface devices, including low loss devices, devices that enable enhanced use of time diversity for device identification, and devices suitable for use in band-limited environments (such as ISM band) and for use in ultra-wideband applications are disclosed. Antennas for use with both SAW sensors and/or tags, and wireless transceiver systems also are disclosed, including antennas suitable for operation in conductive media and in highly metallic environments, said antennas being used to activate and read said SAW sensors and/or tags. SAW sensors and sensor-tags and related methods for measuring scaled voltage and current in electrical conductors via measurements of the electric and magnetic fields thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: Improved devices, apparatuses, systems, and methods involving the use of field probes with voltage-controlled variable impedance elements and surface-launched acoustic wave devices, including surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices and SAW sensor-tag wireless interface devices to measure voltage and current in current carrying conductors (CCCs) via measurement of the electric fields and magnetic fields around said CCCs are disclosed. The devices, apparatuses, systems, and methods taught in the present invention include a remotely powered line-mounted measurement unit that requires no connection to electrical ground for operation, and that has no internal energy source, no energy harvesting or power conditioning circuitry, no discrete energy storage components, and no radio.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for wireless communication with remote devices that reduce or eliminate interference from zero-mean noise and deterministic signals within the operating system frequency band are provided. An interrogator uses dithering of the initiation time of sequential transmitted signals or sets of transmitted signals with synchronous accumulation of the resulting received signals to reduce the relative strength of interfering signals while increasing the relative strength of the desired signal. The apparatus, system, and method are particularly advantageous when used to extract identification and/or sensor data from passive wireless sensors and tags.

Abstract: Improved devices, apparatuses, systems, and methods involving the use of field probes with voltage-controlled variable impedance elements and surface-launched acoustic wave devices, including surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices and SAW sensor-tag wireless interface devices to measure voltage and current in current carrying conductors (CCCs) via measurement of the electric fields and magnetic fields around said CCCs are disclosed. The devices, apparatuses, systems, and methods taught in the present invention include a remotely powered line-mounted measurement unit that requires no connection to electrical ground for operation, and that has no internal energy source, no energy harvesting or power conditioning circuitry, no discrete energy storage components, and no radio.

Abstract: A surface-launched acoustic wave sensor tag system for remotely sensing and/or providing identification information using sets of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor tag devices is characterized by acoustic wave device embodiments that include coding and other diversity techniques to produce groups of sensors that interact minimally, reducing or alleviating code collision problems typical of prior art coded SAW sensors and tags, and specific device embodiments of said coded SAW sensor tags and systems. These sensor/tag devices operate in a system which consists of one or more uniquely identifiable sensor/tag devices and a wireless interrogator. The sensor device incorporates an antenna for receiving incident RF energy and re-radiating the tag identification information and the sensor measured parameter(s). Since there is no power source in or connected to the sensor, it is a passive sensor. The device is wirelessly interrogated by the interrogator.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for wireless communication with remote devices that reduce or eliminate interference from zero-mean noise and deterministic signals within the operating system frequency band are provided. An interrogator uses dithering of the initiation time of sequential transmitted signals or sets of transmitted signals with synchronous accumulation of the resulting received signals to reduce the relative strength of interfering signals while increasing the relative strength of the desired signal. The apparatus, system, and method are particularly advantageous when used to extract identification and/or sensor data from passive wireless sensors and tags.

Abstract: Enhanced surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors and SAW sensor-tag wireless interface devices, including low loss devices, devices that enable enhanced use of time diversity for device identification, and devices suitable for use in band-limited environments (such as ISM band) and for use in ultra-wideband applications are disclosed. Antennas for use with both SAW sensors and/or tags, and wireless transceiver systems also are disclosed, including antennas suitable for operation in conductive media and in highly metallic environments, said antennas being used to activate and read said SAW sensors and/or tags. SAW sensors and sensor-tags and related methods for measuring scaled voltage and current in electrical conductors via measurements of the electric and magnetic fields thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: A surface-launched acoustic wave sensor tag system for remotely sensing and/or providing identification information using sets of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor tag devices is characterized by acoustic wave device embodiments that include coding and other diversity techniques to produce groups of sensors that interact minimally, reducing or alleviating code collision problems typical of prior art coded SAW sensors and tags, and specific device embodiments of said coded SAW sensor tags and systems. These sensor/tag devices operate in a system which consists of one or more uniquely identifiable sensor/tag devices and a wireless interrogator. The sensor device incorporates an antenna for receiving incident RF energy and re-radiating the tag identification information and the sensor measured parameter(s). Since there is no power source in or connected to the sensor, it is a passive sensor. The device is wirelessly interrogated by the interrogator.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave (SAW) based thin film deposition monitor device and system for monitoring the deposition of ultra-thin films and nanomaterials and the analysis thereof is characterized by acoustic wave device embodiments that include differential delay line device designs, and which can optionally have integral reference devices fabricated on the same substrate as the sensing device, or on a separate device in thermal contact with the film monitoring/analysis device, in order to provide inherently temperature compensated measurements. These deposition monitor and analysis devices can include inherent temperature compensation, higher sensitivity to surface interactions than quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) devices, and the ability to operate at extreme temperatures.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave (SAW) based thin film deposition monitor device and system for monitoring the deposition of ultra-thin films and nanomaterials and the analysis thereof is characterized by acoustic wave device embodiments that include differential delay line device designs, and which can optionally have integral reference devices fabricated on the same substrate as the sensing device, or on a separate device in thermal contact with the film monitoring/analysis device, in order to provide inherently temperature compensated measurements. These deposition monitor and analysis devices can include inherent temperature compensation, higher sensitivity to surface interactions than quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) devices, and the ability to operate at extreme temperatures.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a set of SAW (surface acoustic wave) based sensor tag device embodiments system for remotely sensing and/or providing identification information. These sensor/tag devices would operate in a system which consists of one or more uniquely identifiable sensor/tag devices and a wireless interrogator. The sensor device incorporates an antenna for receiving incident RF energy and re-radiating the tag identification number and the sensor measured parameter(s). Since there is no power source in or connected to the sensor, it is a passive sensor. As such the device is elegantly simple, low-cost, and rugged. The device is wirelessly interrogated by the interrogator which is described elsewhere.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for distinguishing between sensors that are to be wirelessly detected is provided. An interrogator device uses different, distinct time delays in the sensing signals when interrogating the sensors. The sensors are provided with different distinct pedestal delays. Sensors that have the same pedestal delay as the delay selected by the interrogator are detected by the interrogator whereas other sensors with different pedestal delays are not sensed. Multiple sensors with a given pedestal delay are provided with different codes so as to be distinguished from one another by the interrogator. The interrogator uses a signal that is transmitted to the sensor and returned by the sensor for combination and integration with the reference signal that has been processed by a function. The sensor may be a surface acoustic wave device having a differential impulse response with a power spectral density consisting of lobes.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device includes a piezoelectric substrate on which is formed a transducer that generates acoustic waves on the surface of the substrate from electrical waves received by the transducer. The waves are carried along an acoustic track to either a second transducer or a reflector. The transducers or transducer and reflector are formed of subsections that are constructed to operate at mutually different frequencies. The subsections of at least one of the transducers or transducer and reflector are out of alignment with respect to one another relative to the transverse of the propagation direction. The out of aligned subsections provide not only a frequency component but also a time to the signal output signal. Frequency response characteristics are improved. An alternative embodiment provides that the transducers and/or reflectors are continuously tapered instead of having discrete frequency subsections.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a set of SAW (surface acoustic wave) based sensor tag device embodiments system for remotely sensing and/or providing identification information. These sensor/tag devices would operate in a system which consists of one or more uniquely identifiable sensor/tag devices and a wireless interrogator. The sensor device incorporates an antenna for receiving incident RF energy and re-radiating the tag identification number and the sensor measured parameter(s). Since there is no power source in or connected to the sensor, it is a passive sensor. As such the device is elegantly simple, low-cost, and rugged. The device is wirelessly interrogated by the interrogator which is described elsewhere.

Abstract: An acoustic wave sensor array device is provided for the detection, identification, and quantification of chemicals and biological elements dispersed in fluids. The sensor array device is capable of the simultaneous characterization of a fluid for multiple analytes of interest. A substrate has a plurality of channels formed therein and a sensor material layer applied in a bottom of the channels. The sensor material layer has a shear acoustic wave speed lower than a shear acoustic wave speed in said substrate. The channels may have the same material in each channel or different materials in at least two of the channels. A surface acoustic wave transducer and at least one surface acoustic wave reflector, or at least two transducers is formed on a surface of the substrate opposite the channels at a portion of the substrate that is thinned by the channels, so that the acoustic tracks of the surface acoustic wave device extend along the channels.