Patent US3667038A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3667038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acousto-optic rf spectrum analysis method and apparatus
Assignee: HP Inc
•
Filing: 1970-06-17
•
Granted: 1972-05-30
•
Expires: 1990-06-17
Abstract
Abstract An acousto-optic RF spectrum analysis method and apparatus is disclosed wherein radio frequency energy to be spectrum analyzed is employed to excite an acoustic wave in an optically anisotropic medium. A linearly polarized white light beam is collinearly diffracted on the acoustic wave in the anisotropic medium to diffract light of the first polarization and of a frequency related to the frequency of the acoustic wave into light of the second polarization. The diffracted output light is then analyzed to separate light of the first polarization from light of the second polarization. The separated light is spectrum analyzed to obtain a spectrum corresponding to the spectrum of the radio frequency energy to be analyzed.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard S Cutler
- 👤 Donald L Hammond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:48
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/11; G02F1/116; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/12; G01J3/1256; G01J3/02; G01J3/0205; G01J3/0213
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
In a method for separating the different frequency components of a radio frequency signal, the steps of exciting an acoustic wave in an optically anisotropic medium at the frequency of the radio frequency signal to be frequency separated, collinearly diffracting a beam of light of selected bandwidth on the acoustic wave within the optically anisotropic medium to diffract light of a first polarization and of a frequency within said selected bandwidth related to the frequency of the acoustic wave into light of a second polarization, analyzing the diffracted output light beam to separate light of the second polarization from light of the first polarization, and spectrum analyzing the separated light within the selected bandwidth to provide spatial separation of the light to provide information concerning the different frequency components of the radio frequency signal, providing an output indication of the spectrum of the components of the radio frequency signal, and attenuating the intensity of the spatially separated light along a gradient aligned substantially normal to the spatial separation of spectral components to provide light-intensity indications at the spatial separations of the light that are representative of the amplitudes of the corresponding frequency components of the radio frequency signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
In a method for separating the different frequency components of a radio frequency signal, the steps of exciting an acoustic wave in an optically anisotropic medium at the frequency of the radio frequency signal to be frequency separated, collinearly diffracting a beam of light of selected bandwidth on the acoustic wave within the optically anisotropic medium to diffract light of a first polarization and of a frequency within said selected bandwidth related to the frequency of the acoustic wave into light of a second polarization, analyzing the diffracted output light beam to separate light of the second polarization from light of the first polarization, and spectrum analyzing the separated light within the selected bandwidth to provide spatial separation of the light to provide information concerning the different frequency components of the radio frequency signal, providing an output indication of the spectrum of the components of the radio frequency signal, and attenuating the intensity of the spatially separated light along a gradient aligned substantially normal to the spatial separation of spectral components to provide light-intensity indications at the spatial separations of the light that are representative of the amplitudes of the corresponding frequency components of the radio frequency signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of spectrum analyzing the separated light comprises the step of spectrum analyzing the separated light of the second polarization.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of spectrum analyzing the separated light comprises the step of spectrum analyzing the separated light of the first polarization.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the beam of light is a beam of white light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
236 words
Acousto-optic apparatus comprising optically anisotropic medium means, means for exciting an acoustic wave in an optically anisotropic medium means at a frequency related to a radio frequency input signal, source means for introducing into said anisotropic medium means a beam of light having a selected bandwidth and having a first polarization to collinearly diffract on the acoustic wave within the optically anisotropic medium means the light of the first polarization and of a frequency related to the frequency of the acoustic wave into light of a second polarization, means for analyzing the diffracted output light beam to separate light of the second polarization from light of the first polarization, means for spectrum analyzing the separated light within said selected bandwidth to produce a spatial separation of the light according to frequency of the light to provide information concerning the different frequency components of the radio frequency input signal, displaying means for providing an indication of the spectrum of the radio frequency input signal, and light attenuating means disposed in the light path of the spatially separated light through which such light is projected toward said displaying means, said attenuating means having a gradient of attenuation oriented generally normal to the direction of spatial separation of the light beam to provide light-intensity indications at the spatial separations of the light that are representative of the amplitudes of the corresponding frequency components of the radio frequency input signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
236 words
Acousto-optic apparatus comprising optically anisotropic medium means, means for exciting an acoustic wave in an optically anisotropic medium means at a frequency related to a radio frequency input signal, source means for introducing into said anisotropic medium means a beam of light having a selected bandwidth and having a first polarization to collinearly diffract on the acoustic wave within the optically anisotropic medium means the light of the first polarization and of a frequency related to the frequency of the acoustic wave into light of a second polarization, means for analyzing the diffracted output light beam to separate light of the second polarization from light of the first polarization, means for spectrum analyzing the separated light within said selected bandwidth to produce a spatial separation of the light according to frequency of the light to provide information concerning the different frequency components of the radio frequency input signal, displaying means for providing an indication of the spectrum of the radio frequency input signal, and light attenuating means disposed in the light path of the spatially separated light through which such light is projected toward said displaying means, said attenuating means having a gradient of attenuation oriented generally normal to the direction of spatial separation of the light beam to provide light-intensity indications at the spatial separations of the light that are representative of the amplitudes of the corresponding frequency components of the radio frequency input signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for spectrum analyzing the separated light comprises means for spectrum analyzing the separated light of the second polarization.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for spectrum analyzing the separated light includes means for spectrum analyzing the separated light of the first polarization.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said source means includes a source of white lIght for producing said beam of light of selected bandwidth.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3509453A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |