Importance

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Abstract

A system for making modal analysis is disclosed which uses multiple frequencies for calculating the bearing and distance of a sensor from a remote receiver component. The sensor's adaptor to be secured to a structure-under-test. Microwave oscillators are formed on the substrate. Each oscillator has a separate microstrip antenna coupled to its output. At least one of these antennas has a separate dielectric lens to shape its microwave signal to have a different beam shape than the microwave signals transmitted by the other antennas. A remote receiver component is positioned in a line of sight relation with the sensor and includes a base and a separate receiver for each antenna. A stored program processor measures lapsed time between receipt of a query signal and receipt of a signal reception indication and calculates the distance between the sensor and the remote receiver component. A piezoresistive accelerometer generates an acceleration signal that can be used by a stored program processor to calculate displacement of the sensor normal to the plane of the sensor and the antennas. The stored program processor also compares the relative signal strengths to the signals received by the remote receiver component from the various antennas of the sensor and, using this data, calculates the bearing of the remote receiver component from the sensor.

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First Claim