Abstract: A first method includes receiving a first reflected radar signal from a target in a first field of view and receiving a second reflected radar signal from a target in a second field of view offset from the first field of view by a predetermined distance; transforming the first and second reflected radar signals to obtain first and second sets of frequency coefficients, from which a frequency-dependent phase difference is obtained; and calculating a time-delay from the slope of the frequency dependence. A second method includes obtaining summed difference values between the first and second radar responses, where each of the summed difference values corresponds to different time shifts between the first and second radar response, and deriving from the summed difference values a time-delay associated with the target's motion from the first field of view to the second field of view. A third method combines the time-delays or associated speeds obtained from independent estimators.

Abstract: A first method includes receiving a first reflected radar signal from a target in a first field of view and receiving a second reflected radar signal from a target in a second field of view offset from the first field of view by a predetermined distance; transforming the first and second reflected radar signals to obtain first and second sets of frequency coefficients, from which a frequency-dependent phase difference is obtained; and calculating a time-delay from the slope of the frequency dependence. A second method includes obtaining summed difference values between the first and second radar responses, where each of the summed difference values corresponds to different time shifts between the first and second radar response, and deriving from the summed difference values a time-delay associated with the target's motion from the first field of view to the second field of view. A third method combines the time-delays or associated speeds obtained from independent estimators.

Abstract: A first method includes receiving a first reflected radar signal from a target in a first field of view and receiving a second reflected radar signal from a target in a second field of view offset from the first field of view by a predetermined distance; transforming the first and second reflected radar signals to obtain first and second sets of frequency coefficients, from which a frequency-dependent phase difference is obtained; and calculating a time-delay from the slope of the frequency dependence. A second method includes obtaining summed difference values between the first and second radar responses, where each of the summed difference values corresponds to different time shifts between the first and second radar response, and deriving from the summed difference values a time-delay associated with the target's motion from the first field of view to the second field of view. A third method combines the time-delays or associated speeds obtained from independent estimators.

Abstract: A first method includes receiving a first reflected radar signal from a target in a first field of view and receiving a second reflected radar signal from a target in a second field of view offset from the first field of view by a predetermined distance; transforming the first and second reflected radar signals to obtain first and second sets of frequency coefficients, from which a frequency-dependent phase difference is obtained; and calculating a time-delay from the slope of the frequency dependence. A second method includes obtaining summed difference values between the first and second radar responses, where each of the summed difference values corresponds to different time shifts between the first and second radar response, and deriving from the summed difference values a time-delay associated with the target's motion from the first field of view to the second field of view. A third method combines the time-delays or associated speeds obtained from independent estimators.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a detection element having a detection element property that changes when exposed to a corrosive substance, a testing device coupled to the detection element, the testing device configrued to measure the detection element property, and a processor in communication with the testing device, the processor configured to indicate the presence of the corrosive substance using the detection element property. In an embodiment, the detection element is metal and the detection element property is resistivity. In another embodiment, the apparatus further includes a comparison element coupled to the testing device and shielded from the corrosive substance, the comparison element having a comparison element property, and wherein the processor is configured to compare the detection element property to the comparison element property to determine whether the detection element property is within a predetermined range of the comparison element property.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a detection element having a detection element property that changes when exposed to a corrosive substance, a testing device coupled to the detection element, the testing device configured to measure the detection element property, and a processor in communication with the testing device, the processor configured to indicate the presence of the corrosive substance using the detection element property. In an embodiment, the detection element is metal and the detection element property is resistivity. In another embodiment, the apparatus further includes a comparison element coupled to the testing device and shielded from the corrosive substance, the comparison element having a comparison element property, and wherein the processor is configured to compare the detection element property to the comparison element property to determine whether the detection element property is within a predetermined range of the comparison element property.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for performing measurements in a hazardous environment. In one embodiment the system comprises: a main device and a remote device having a programmable logic device (PLD). The main device is isolated from the hazardous environment, while the remote device is located within the hazardous environment. A cable is provided to transport at least one communication signal between the main device and the remote device, and the main device uses the communication signal to configure the PLD in the remote device. The remote device may also include a switch that passes the communication signal to a configuration terminal of the PLD before the PLD is configured, and that automatically blocks the communication signal from the configuration terminal after the PLD is configured. After the PLD is configured, the main device and PLD may both employ the communication signal to communicate in accordance with a predetermined communications protocol.

Abstract: A system and method is configured to take a “snapshot” of data received by a meter or measurement device so that it may be later frozen or duplicated in a manner identical to that of the meter. The system includes recording a continuous stream of raw data into a format suitable for transport to a site better suited for debug and diagnosis, and replaying the data on a replay device such that time, as seen by the system, may be “frozen” at will and any instant of the stream examined.

Abstract: A system and method is configured to take a “snapshot” of data received by a meter or measurement device so that it may be later frozen or duplicated in a manner identical to that of the meter. The system includes recording a continuous stream of raw data into a format suitable for transport to a site better suited for debug and diagnosis, and replaying the data on a replay device such that time, as seen by the system, may be “frozen” at will and any instant of the stream examined.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for performing measurements in a hazardous environment. In one embodiment the system comprises: a main device and a remote device having a programmable logic device (PLD). The main device is isolated from the hazardous environment, while the remote device is located within the hazardous environment. A cable is provided to transport at least one communication signal between the main device and the remote device, and the main device uses the communication signal to configure the PLD in the remote device. The remote device may also include a switch that passes the communication signal to a configuration terminal of the PLD before the PLD is configured, and that automatically blocks the communication signal from the configuration terminal after the PLD is configured. After the PLD is configured, the main device and PLD may both employ the communication signal to communicate in accordance with a predetermined communications protocol.

Abstract: An acoustic device that places existing components in a damping pattern after transmitting an acoustic signal. In one embodiment, the device comprises a transistor bridge and an acoustic transducer. The transistor bridge is coupled between two predetermined voltages having a voltage difference, and the acoustic transducer is coupled between the arms of the transistor bridge. The transistor bridge enters a damping configuration after applying an excitation pattern to the acoustic transducer. In the damping configuration, the input terminals of the transistor bridge are preferably grounded. In applying the excitation pattern, the transistor bridge preferably applies the voltage difference to the acoustic transducer in alternate polarities. In a preferred embodiment, the acoustic transducer includes a transformer having a primary winding coupled between the arms of the transistor bridge, and further includes a piezoelectric crystal coupled to a secondary winding of the transformer.

Abstract: An acoustic device that places existing components in a damping pattern after transmitting an acoustic signal. In one embodiment, the device comprises a transistor bridge and an acoustic transducer. The transistor bridge is coupled between two predetermined voltages having a voltage difference, and the acoustic transducer is coupled between the arms of the transistor bridge. The transistor bridge enters a damping configuration after applying an excitation pattern to the acoustic transducer. In the damping configuration, the input terminals of the transistor bridge are preferably grounded. In applying the excitation pattern, the transistor bridge preferably applies the voltage difference to the acoustic transducer in alternate polarities. In a preferred embodiment, the acoustic transducer includes a transformer having a primary winding coupled between the arms of the transistor bridge, and further includes a piezoelectric crystal coupled to a secondary winding of the transformer.

Abstract: A voltage regulator configuration is disclosed for combining the advantages of a linear regulator with the advantages of a switching regulator. The configuration includes a switching regulator that operates most of the time, but is disabled during sensitive measurements. A linear regulator operates for the brief periods that the switching regulator is disabled. This configuration eliminates any interference caused by switching harmonics and minimizes any inefficiencies that are inherent in the operation of the linear regulator. This configuration is particularly suitable for allowing periodic, high-sensitivity measurements in limited energy environments.