Method and apparatus for precisely locating a resonant object

Abstract

The method and apparatus precisely identifies and locates an object which resonates in response to signals of at least one and, more typically, two resonant frequencies. The locating apparatus includes a transmitter for concurrently transmitting signals having a resonant frequency and signals having a non-resonant frequency toward the resonant object. The locating apparatus also includes at least two receivers for receiving reflected signals having the resonant frequency and the non-resonant frequency. The locating apparatus further includes a signal processor for locating the resonant object based upon the reflected signals detected by the receivers. The signal processor has multiple channels, one of which is associated with each receiver, for separately processing the reflected signals received over time by each of the receivers. Within each channel, the signal processor significantly reduces signal clutter based upon respective differences between the reflected signals having the resonant frequency and the reflected signals having the non-resonant frequency which were received by the respective receiver. By reducing signal clutter in the received signals, the locating apparatus identifies and locates the resonant object with more precision.