1. A phase-lock loop for fast frequency switching, comprising:
a phase comparison circuit comprising a reference input, a feedback input and an output;
a controlled oscillator having a first regulating input coupled to the output of the phase comparison circuit, and configured to adjust a frequency of an oscillator signal at an output thereof;
a frequency divider coupled between the output of the controlled oscillator and the feedback input and configured to divide down the frequency of the oscillator signal according to an adjustable division ratio; and
a frequency adjusting arrangement coupled to a regulating input of the frequency divider, and comprising a first control input configured to receive a digital frequency adjusting signal and a second control input configured to receive a digital frequency shifting signal, and wherein the frequency adjusting arrangement further comprises:
a first adder having inputs connected to the first and second control inputs and configured to generate and output a whole-number component at a first output and a fractional component at a second output based on the signals at the first and second control inputs;
a sigma-delta modulator comprising an input connected to the second output of the first adder;
a second adder, comprising inputs connected to the first output of the first adder and to an output of the sigma-delta modulator and configured to prepare a regulating signal at the regulating input of the frequency divider to adjust the division ratio thereof; and
a digital-analog converter configured to receive the signal at the second control input, convert it to an analog control signal, and provide the analog control signal to a second regulating input of the controlled oscillator.
2. The phase-lock loop of claim 1, wherein the digital-analog converter further comprises a readjusting input configured to receive a gain adjustment signal, and configured to change an amplitude of its analog output signal as a function of the gain adjustment signal.
3. The phase-lock loop of claim 2, further comprising a digital multiplier configured to change the amplitude of the analog output signal of the digital-analog converter by varying the signal at the second control input before the digital-analog converter.
4. The phase-lock loop of claim 1, wherein the first regulating input and the second regulating input are the same input.
5. A method for frequency switching in a phase-lock loop, comprising:
generating a phase-lock loop signal;
generating a first regulating signal from a first channel adjusting signal;
applying a divider control signal to an adjustable frequency divider of the phase-lock loop to adjust a division ratio of the frequency divider;
determining a control signal from a frequency offset of a signal whose frequency is converted using the phase-lock loop;
generating a second regulating signal from a second channel adjusting signal and the control signal;
applying the second regulating signal to the adjustable frequency divider to adjust the division ratio of the frequency divider;
generating an oscillator regulating signal to regulate an output frequency of a controlled oscillator based on a phase comparison of a reference signal with a feedback signal derived from the output signal of the controlled oscillator;
converting the control signal into an analog control signal;
applying the oscillator regulating signal to the controlled oscillator;
applying the analog control signal to the controlled oscillator of the phase-lock loop to switch the output frequency of the controlled oscillator by the frequency offset;
determining a deviation between an ideal frequency in the output frequency of the controlled oscillator after applying the analog control signal and an actual frequency in the output frequency of the controlled oscillator after applying the second regulating signal; and
generating a readjusting signal and applying the readjusting signal to a component employed to convert the control signal into the analog control signal or to the controlled oscillator to compensate for the deviation.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the deviation is determined by analyzing the output signal of the phase-lock loop.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein applying analog control signal comprises performing a digital-analog conversion with a transmission factor, the transmission factor changing an amplitude of the analog control signal.
8. A phase-lock loop, comprising:
a phase comparator configured to compare a reference signal to a feedback signal and generate a first regulating signal in response thereto;
an oscillator configured to generate an oscillator signal as a function of the first regulating signal;
a frequency divider circuit configured to divide down the oscillator signal and thereby generate the feedback signal based on a divider control signal;
a frequency adjustment circuit configured to generate the divider control signal and a second regulating signal based on a determined frequency offset, wherein the second regulating signal is input to the oscillator, and wherein the oscillator signal is also a function of the second regulating signal.
9. The phase-lock loop of claim 8, wherein the second regulating signal comprises an analog signal.
10. The phase-lock loop of claim 8, wherein the determined frequency offset is associated with a received signal that is down converted using the oscillator signal of the phase-lock loop.
11. The phase-lock loop of claim 8, wherein the frequency adjustment circuit comprises:
a first adder circuit configured to generate a whole number component and a fractional number component of a divider ratio based on first and second digital control signals, wherein the first digital control signal is based on a selected channel frequency, and the second digital control signal is based on the determined frequency offset.
12. The phase-lock loop of claim 11, wherein the frequency adjustment circuit further comprises:
a sigma-delta modulator configured to generate a fraction control signal based on the fractional number component; and
a second adder circuit configured to generate the divider control signal based on the whole number component and the fraction control signal.
13. The phase-lock loop of claim 11, wherein the frequency adjustment circuit further comprises a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the second digital control signal into the second regulating signal in analog form, and directly input the second regulating signal to the oscillator.
14. The phase-lock loop of claim 13, wherein the digital-to-analog converter comprises a gain control input, and wherein the digital-to-analog converter is configured to vary a gain thereof based on a deviation of an actual change in frequency of the oscillator signal based on the determined frequency offset from an expected frequency change.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method of detecting the presence of harmful agents in the environment comprising:
providing a plurality of portable agent detectors,
placing said detectors on vectors in said environment,
connecting said detectors over a communication network,
upon detection of an agent by a first detector, signaling detectors identified as being nearby to carry out corresponding agent detection tests,
thereby to confirm or localize an initial agent detection.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring said detectors at a central location via said communication network.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein said signaling said nearby detectors comprises remotely activating said nearby detectors.
4. A method of detecting the presence of harmful agents in the environment comprising:
providing a plurality of portable agent detectors able to generate a detection event in the presence of any of said harmful agents,
placing said detectors on vectors in said environment,
connecting said detectors over a communication network,
at a central location monitoring said detectors to identify clustering of said detection events, said clustering being to confirm or localize an initial agent detection.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising, upon a detection event generated by a first detector, signaling detectors identified as being nearby to said first detector, to carry out corresponding agent detection tests.
6. The method of claim 2 further comprising, upon a detection event generated by a first detector, alerting vectors identified as being nearby to said first detector.
7. A method of detecting the presence of harmful agents, comprising:
providing a plurality of portable agent detectors able to generate a detection event in the presence of any of said harmful agents,
associating said detectors with cellular communication units to allow central monitoring of said detectors, and
placing said detectors and cellular communication units on vectors in said environment.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising associating said detectors with positioning units, and monitoring locations of individual detectors using a positioning network.
9. The method of claim 2 further comprising obtaining atmospheric conditions at a location of said first detector and using said atmospheric condition to predict a propagation path of said agent.
10. A portable agent detector for releasing into an environment to detect harmful agents released into said environment, the agent detector comprising:
a removable sensing cassette comprising sensing wetware; and
a processing unit for processing signals from said sensing cassette.
11. The portable agent detector of claim 10, further comprising an activation unit for activating or selecting an operational mode of the portable agent detector.
12. The portable agent detector of claim 11, further comprising a user interface, wherein said activation unit is controllable by said user interface.
13. The portable agent detector of claim 10, further comprising an atmospheric condition measuring unit for measuring at least one atmospheric condition.
14. A method for analyzing a diffuse signal from an environment comprising:
releasing a plurality of signal detectors into said environment, each signal detector being able to generate a detection event in the presence of said diffuse signal;
monitoring each of said signal detectors over a communication network for said detection events and for current location data of said signal detectors; and
identifying clustering of said detection events as an indication of the presence of said diffuse signal.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising, upon a detection event generated by a first detector, signaling detectors identified as being nearby to said first detector, to carry out corresponding detection tests.
16. The method of claim 14, further comprising, upon a detection event generated by a first detector, generating alert signals and transmitting said alert signals to detectors identified as being nearby to said first detector.
17. A method for analyzing a diffuse signal from an environment comprising:
releasing a plurality of signal detectors into said environment, each signal detector being able to generate a detection event in the presence of said diffuse signal;
monitoring each of said signal detectors over a communication network for said detection events and for current location data of said signal detectors;
upon identifying a detection event, checking with other nearby detectors for confirmation of said diffuse signal.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising generating alert signals and transmitting said alert signals to said nearby detectors.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein said checking with said nearby detectors comprises transmitting instructions to vectors carrying said nearby detectors to locally activate said nearby detectors.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein said checking with said nearby detectors comprises remotely activating said nearby detectors.
21. The method of claim 3 further comprising identifying clustering of said detection events.
22. The method of claim 14 further comprising obtaining atmospheric conditions at a location of at least one detector and using said atmospheric condition to predict a propagation path of the diffuse signal.
23. A distributed detection system for detection of the presence of harmful agents in an environment, comprising:
a central monitoring unit; and
a plurality of portable agent detectors enabled for communication with said central monitoring unit and configured for producing detection events in the presence of said harmful agents and communicating said detection events to said central monitoring unit; said portable agent detectors being mounted on mobile vectors for release into said environment.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein at least one of said plurality of portable agent detectors comprises:
a sensing unit having an operative mode and a non-operative mode;
an activation unit being in communication with a central location, for selecting between said operative mode and said non-operative mode; and
a processing unit for processing signals from said sensing unit.
25. The system of claim 24, wherein said sensing unit and said processing unit are designed and constructed to provide detection information within predetermined and variable time periods.
26. The system of claim 24, wherein at least one of said plurality of portable agent detectors further comprises a user interface, wherein said activation unit is controllable by said user interface.
27. A portable agent detector for releasing into an environment to detect harmful agents released into said environment, the agent detector comprising:
a sensing unit having an operative mode and a non-operative mode;
an activation unit being in communication with a central location, for selecting between said operative mode and said non-operative mode; and
a processing unit for processing signals from said sensing unit.
28. The portable agent detector of claim 27, wherein said sensing unit and said processing unit are designed and constructed to provide detection information within predetermined and variable time periods.
29. The portable agent detector of claim 27, further comprising a user interface, wherein said activation unit is controllable by said user interface.
30. The portable agent detector of claim 27, further comprising an atmospheric condition measuring unit for measuring at least one atmospheric condition.
31. A portable agent detector for releasing into an environment to detect harmful agents released into said environment, the agent detector comprising:
a sensing unit for detecting presence or absence of harmful agents;
a processing unit for processing signals from said sensing unit;
a positioning unit for determining a location of the agent detector; and
a communication unit for transmitting said location and signals representing presence or absence of harmful agents over a communication network.
32. The portable agent detector of claim 31, further comprising an atmospheric condition measuring unit for measuring at least one atmospheric condition, and further wherein said communication unit is operable to transmit said at least one atmospheric condition over said communication network.
33. The portable agent detector of claim 31, being identifiable by an identification code, and further wherein said communication unit is operable to transmit said identification code over said communication network.
34. The portable agent detector of claim 31, wherein said sensing unit and said processing unit are designed and constructed to provide detection information within predetermined and variable time periods.
35. The portable agent detector of claim 31, further comprising an activation unit for activating or selecting an operational mode of the portable agent detector.
36. A portable vital signs detector to detect vital signs of a mammal the portable vital signs detector comprising:
a sensing unit for detecting the vital signs of the mammal;
a processing unit for processing signals from said sensing unit;
a positioning unit for determining a location of the vital signs detector; and
a communication unit for transmitting said location and signals representing the vital signs.
37. A personal accessory device having an agent detector to detect harmful agents released into said environment, the agent detector comprising:
a sensing unit having an operative mode and a non-operative mode;
an activation unit being in communication with a central location, for selecting between said operative mode and said non-operative mode; and
a processing unit for processing signals from said sensing unit.
38. The personal accessory device of claim 37, wherein said activation unit is capable of deactivating any functioning unit of the personal accessory device other than said sensing unit and said processing unit.
39. The personal accessory device of claim 37, wherein said sensing unit and said processing unit are designed and constructed to provide detection information within predetermined and variable time periods.
40. The personal accessory device of claim 37, further comprising a user interface, wherein said activation unit is controllable by said user interface.
41. The personal accessory device of claim 37, further comprising an atmospheric condition measuring unit for measuring at least one atmospheric condition.
42. A personal accessory device having an agent detector to detect harmful agents released into said environment, the agent detector comprising:
a sensing unit for detecting presence or absence of harmful agents;
a processing unit for processing signals from said sensing unit;
a positioning unit for determining a location of the agent detector; and
a communication unit for transmitting said location and signals representing presence or absence of harmful agents over a communication network.
43. The personal accessory device of claim 42, further comprising an atmospheric condition measuring unit for measuring at least one atmospheric condition, and further wherein said communication unit is operable to transmit said at least one atmospheric condition over said communication network.
44. The personal accessory device of claim 42, being identifiable by an identification code, and further wherein said communication unit is operable to transmit said identification code over said communication network.
45. The personal accessory device of claim 42, wherein said sensing unit and said processing unit are designed and constructed to provide detection information within predetermined and variable time periods.
46. The personal accessory device of claim 42, further comprising an activation unit for activating or selecting an operational mode of the agent detector.
47. The portable agent detector of claim 10 further comprising detection hardware.
48. The portable agent detector of claim 47, wherein said detection hardware comprises optical detection hardware.
49. The portable agent detector of claim 11, further comprising vital signs measuring unit for measuring vital signs of a mammal carrying the agent detector.
50. A portable detection kit for releasing into an environment to detect harmful agents released into said environment, the portable detection kit comprising:
at least one sampling device for selectively sampling environmental materials; and
an agent detector having a removable sensing cassette comprising sensing wetware, and a processing unit for processing signals from said sensing wetware.
51. The portable detection kit of claim 50, wherein said at least one sampling device is reusable.
52. The portable agent detector of claim 11 wherein said activation unit is in communication with a central location and being controllable thereby, hence allowing a remote activation or operational mode selection of said agent detector.
53. The portable agent detector of claim 11 further comprising a supplementary sensing unit capable of continuously monitoring environmental conditions, and generating a signal to said activation unit to activate said agent detector when said environmental conditions meet a predetermined set of criteria.
54. The portable agent detector of claim 53, wherein said predetermined set of criteria comprises preliminary detection of a potentially harmful agent.
55. The portable agent detector of claim 10 further comprising a communication unit, for transmitting signals representing presence, level or absence of harmful agents over a communication network.
56. The portable agent detector of claim 55, being identifiable by an identification code, and further wherein said communication unit is operable to transmit said identification code over said communication network.
57. The portable agent detector of claim 55, wherein said agent detector further comprises a positioning unit, for determining a location of the agent detector, wherein said communication unit is operable to transmit said location over said communication network.
58. The portable agent detector of claim 10 wherein said agent detector further comprises an automatic sampling unit for automatically sampling fluids from the environment, and transferring said fluids to said sensing unit.
59. The portable agent detector of claim 10 further comprising an image capturing unit.
60. The portable agent detector of claim 10 further comprising an input-output audio unit.
61. The portable agent detector of claim 55, wherein said communication unit is supplemented with at least one communication protocol, tangibly embodied in a readable memory, said at least one communication protocol being configured to allow a takeover of said communication network.
62. A sampling device for selectively sampling environmental materials, the sampling device comprising a sampling element, a container and at least one treating element for treating the environmental materials in said container.
63. A method of determining presence or absence of harmful agents in the environment, comprising:
providing a plurality of portable agent detectors having an operative mode and a non-operative mode;
selecting non-operative modes for at least a portion of said plurality of detectors, and placing said plurality of detectors on vectors in the environment;
connecting said plurality of detectors over a communication network having a plurality of base stations;
activating detectors associated with at least one base station to carry out agent detection tests; and
receiving information from said activated detectors, thereby determining presence or absence of harmful agent in a region defined by said activated detectors.
64. The method of claim 63, further comprising obtaining atmospheric conditions at said region and using said atmospheric condition to predict a propagation path of said agent.
65. The method of claim 1 wherein said vectors are mammals.
66. The method of claim 65, further comprising measuring vital signs of said mammals.