Abstract: A node in a power distribution system is described. The node includes an electrical connection to a single-phase power signal from an AC mains power source, a wireless communication interface configured to receive a first phase synchronization message, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether the first phase synchronization message is acceptable and detect a zero-crossing event on the single phase power signal subsequent to the receipt of the first phase synchronization message in response to determining that the first phase synchronization message is acceptable. The controller is further configured to calculate a time difference between the receipt of the first phase synchronization signal and the detected zero-crossing event, determine a local phase angle based on the time difference, and establish an identity of the single phase power signal based on the local phase angle.

Abstract: Techniques for computing electrical phase of electrical metering devices are described. In an example, data indicating zero-crossing times at first and second metering devices is obtained. A time-difference between the zero-crossing times may be determined. In a first example, the time-difference may be based at least in part on calculations involving a first value of a first free-run timer on a first metering device, a second value of a second free-run timer on a second metering device, and a time of a transmission between the metering devices. In a second example, the time-difference may be based at least in part on calculations involving a start or end time of a time-slot of a spread spectrum radio frequency transmission scheme. A phase difference between the first zero-crossing and the second zero-crossing may be determined, based at least in part on the determined time-difference.

Abstract: Systems provide for a test system for capacitors in a digitally controllable oscillator (DCO). The system includes: capacitor toggling logic configured to switch on and off a selected one of the capacitors at a modulation frequency; a tone generator configured to generate a tone; a mixer configured to receive the tone and an output carrier signal from the DCO while the capacitor toggling logic is switching the selected one of the capacitors on and off and to output an intermediate frequency signal having FM sidebands based on the modulation frequency and relative capacitor size; and an evaluation circuit configured to evaluate a frequency deviation associated with the selected one of the capacitors based on at least one of the FM sidebands.

Abstract: An optical device includes an optical element, a detector and a controller. The optical element has an optical waveguide. Refractive index of the optical waveguide is controlled by a heater. A temperature of the optical element is controlled by a temperature control device. The detector detects a current flowing in the heater and/or a voltage applied to the heater. The controller controls an electrical power provided to the heater so as to be kept constant according to the detection result of the detector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detecting the wiring phase of an unknown phase voltage relative to a reference phase voltage in an electric power distribution system having a polyphase power line. In order to reliably detect the wiring phase at the remote location relative to a reference wiring phase even if the remote location is at a larger distance from the reference location, at least one relay location is arranged between the reference location and the remote location and connected to the wiring phase of the polyphase power line. A first phase relation is detected between the reference wiring phase voltage at the reference location and the wiring phase voltage at the relay location. A second phase relation is detected between the wiring phase voltage at the relay location and the wiring phase voltage at the remote location. The wiring phase of the remote location relative to the wiring phase at the reference location is detected based on the first phase relation and the second phase relation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methodology are disclosed for providing effective transmission of data to and/or from an electricity meter by providing embedded radio frequency components. An antenna and stripline or microline filter arrangement are provided as embedded components in association with a transmitter or transceiver portion of the electricity meter's metrology circuitry so as to provide control of out of band harmonic radiation and to provide enhanced signal transmission to and/or from the electricity meter, to accomplish automated meter reading communications or similar. The antenna element is configured and mounted such that, once the electricity meter is fully assembled, the meter case itself can be used as part of a radiating element. An overall resulting integrated design can achieve greater economy utilizing printed circuit board approaches with no additional parts, and with less uncontrolled surface radiation because of the otherwise buried or embedded structure.

Abstract: A test apparatus comprises an input for receiving a test signal from a test signal source, wherein a signal line with a predefined characteristic wave impedance can be connected to the input. The test apparatus further comprises branching means with a first and a plurality of second terminals, the first terminal being connected to the input. The test apparatus further comprises a plurality of distribution lines, wherein each distribution line is connected to one of the plurality of second terminals of branching means, wherein one of the devices under test can be connected to each distribution line at the output side, each distribution line having a characteristic wave impedance, which is substantially equal to the product of the predefined characteristic wave impedance of the signal line and the number of distribution lines. Thus, a signal matching is given at the branching point, so that no amplitude or signal rise time distortions of the excitation signals occur at the inputs of the devices under test.

Abstract: The watercut of fluid in a mulitphase flow is measured. Microwave energy in the 10 Ghz range is transmitted through a test call having flow passing therein through a known geometry. Attenuation and phase shift of the microwave energy is measured and used to derive the wave number of the microwaves in the unknown fluid. The water fraction of the unknown fluid is then determined from the wave number and the known geometry of the test all using Hannai's equation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the vector measurement of ultra-high frequency signals of the same angular frequency of the six port junction type, comprising a power divider (10) and a phase shifting circuit (11) two of the six ports of said device being measuring ports connectable to two sources of signals to be characterized, the four other ports being connected to four detectors, one of them being a matched detector (14) and the three others (12, 13, 15) being unmatched detectors.

Abstract: A waveguide and pressure barrier for use with devices for measuring fluid parameters of fluids passing in a pipe under high temperature and pressure conditions and utilizing microwave energy for making the measurements, the device including a pair of substantially identical members adapted to be mounted in spaced opposition on the pipe. Each member has an axial bore with a transverse bore for receiving a microwave antenna. The axial bore is substantially filled with a ceramic glass material providing the pressure and temperature barrier.

Abstract: A Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) for capturing transients in the GHz range is disclosed. The device includes a transmission line formed in a GaAs substrate. The transmission line includes a number of threshold devices forming shunts on the transmission line. The threshold devices are positioned at predetermined locations with respect to one another. A reference signal and an unknown signal are counter-propagated along the transmission line. When the two signals collide, they produce a collision voltage which exceeds the threshold voltage of the threshold devices. The voltage information is distributed along the predetermined length of several threshold devices. Thus, amplitude, phase, and timing information regarding the two signals may be obtained. This information may be utilized for triggering, clock interpolation, data demodulation, and other applications.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting a length of a cable connecting information equipments are disclosed. A reference signal which is a repetitively occurring signal is transmitted through a cable. A phase difference between the reference signal transmitted through the cable and the reference signal directly transmitted without routing the cable is detected, and a signal representing the cable length is produced based on the detected phase difference.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting a length of a cable connecting information equipments are disclosed. A reference signal which is a repetitively occurring signal is transmitted through a cable. A phase difference between the reference signal transmitted through the cable and the reference signal directly transmitted without routing the cable is detected, and a signal representing the cable length is produced based on the detected phase difference.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining a generalized harmonic number in a harominic heterodyne converter wherein the frequency of an input signal is determined from a local oscillator frequency, an intermediate frequency obtained by mixing the local oscillator frequency with the input signal, and a harmonic number. The likelihood of error in determining harmonic number is reduced by providing a large separation between local oscillator frequencies that are used in determining harmonic number. The method involves the steps of determining an estimated harmonic number utilizing closely-spaced local oscillator frequencies and then utilizing the estimated harmonic number to compute widely-spaced local oscillator frequencies which are utilized for determining a corrected generalized harmonic number. One variation of the technique is utilized for high harmonic numbers, and another variation of the technique is utilized for low harmonic numbers.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which performs real time spectrum analysis of large bandwidth radio frequency signals. The apparatus allows the simultaneous monitoring of all frequencies within the band of interest, and operates in the presence of multiple frequencies.

Abstract: A sampling spectrum analyzer provides instantaneous continuous wideband spectrum analysis to allow RF signals occurring simultaneously and spaced within the band to be displayed. An input signal is split and each resulting portion is passed down a tapped delay line, with samples at the taps of each line being processed by separate arithmetic units. The output of each arithmetic unit is applied to the taps of output delay lines which are similar to the input delay lines. Each arithmetic unit weights the input samples with a set of coefficients and sums the resulting signal in a prescribed manner, thus transforming the signal into the frequency domain, according to a discrete Fourier transform. The resulting sums are the real and imaginary terms of a signal which are vectorially added, resulting in a signal which is fed to the ordinate of a display having a swept time base representing frequency.

Abstract: A microwave spectrum analyzer comprising a first mixer which provides beats between the output of an YIG oscillator and the spectrum to be analyzed. A second mixer carries out a fixed transposition of said beats. The said YIG oscillator is locked to harmonics of the frequency of an auxiliary oscillator controlled by a phase-frequency comparator. The latter is adapted to receive on the one hand the frequency, divided by N of a synthesizer, and on the other hand, the beats between the frequency of said auxiliary oscillator and that of a crystal oscillator.

Abstract: The present invention provides microwave instantaneous frequency measurement apparatus which includes a power divider (2) for dividing an RF input signal line (4) for delaying the first signal, a 3 decibel hybrid coupler (5) for quadrature summing and differencing the delayed first signal and the second signal, a pair of logarithmic amplifiers (10, 11) connected to receive sum and difference outputs from the coupler, and a substrator (12) arranged to subtract the outputs from the amplifiers.

Abstract: A phase sensing device is described which is useful for indicating the reance condition of a complex load impedance (such as an antenna), with a high degree of accuracy over the frequency range from 3 to 100 MHz. The device uses readily available transmission line and solid state components to provide a .+-. indication of the phase condition of the load; a zero crossing indicates resonance. Such a signal is useful for controlling an automatic turning mechanism that could be used in a tunable antenna. The extremely broadband operation and no physical connection to the main RF line are salient features of the device. The components are a transmission line coupler with a short pick-up wire mounted adjacent to the center conductor, two diodes with like electrodes (cathodes) connected to opposite ends of the pick-up wire, a carbon resistor between the other electrodes of the diodes, and a zero center meter across the resistor.

Abstract: An apparatus for phase matching transmission lines which generates signals with frequencies and phase characteristics that are representative of the length of the transmission line under test and alternately samples and compares these signals to minimize signal source instabilities.