Humatics Corporation

Christopher Ryan Montoya

Gregory L Charvat

Andrew Habib Zai

Described herein are systems for radio-frequency (RF) localization. The systems developed by the inventors are designed to improve the accuracy of RF localization to millimeter and sub-millimeter ranges, and additionally, are designed to do so while also limiting manufacturing costs. The RF localization systems developed by the inventors leverage the relatively low costs associated with the manufacturing of printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs). Manufacturing RF localization devices using PCBAs poses a number of challenges, including large minimum feature size and the presence of surface waves. Described herein are techniques for addressing challenges arising in connection with RF localization devices fabricated using PCBAs. One technique involves the use of slot-fed antennas, which makes the device efficient notwithstanding the large minimum feature size. Another technique involves the use of frequency selective surfaces for suppressing surface waves.

Antennas for radio-frequency localization

A device comprising: a radio frequency (RF) coupler comprising input, output, and coupled ports; an antenna capable of receiving RF signals having a first characteristic and transmitting RF signals having a second characteristic, the antenna connected to the RF coupler to provide received RF signals to the input port of the RF coupler and transmit RF signals received at the input port via coupling to signals received at the coupled port; and signal transformation circuitry having an input connected to the output port of the RF coupler to receive RF signals provided by the antenna to the input port and an output connected to the coupled port, the signal transformation circuitry configured to transform first RF signals having the first characteristic received from the output port to second RF signals having the second characteristic and to provide them to the coupled port.

Wide band radio-frequency localization devices and associated systems and methods

A device comprising: a radio frequency (RF) coupler comprising input, output, and coupled ports; an antenna capable of receiving RF signals having a first center frequency and transmitting RF signals having a second center frequency, the antenna connected to the RF coupler to provide received RF signals to the input port of the RF coupler and transmit RF signals received at the input port via coupling to signals received at the coupled port; and signal transformation circuitry having an input connected to the output port of the RF coupler to receive RF signals provided by the antenna to the input port and an output connected to the coupled port, the signal transformation circuitry configured to transform first RF signals having the first center frequency received from the output port to second RF signals having the second center frequency and to provide them to the coupled port.

Growing community of inventors

Waltham, MA, United States of America

Christopher Ryan Montoya