A SENSOR, A SENSOR SYSTEM, AND A METHOD OF SENSING

摘要

A sensor (1) including at least one array (10), including a plurality of acoustic transducers (12); a controller (42) for controlling each transducer (12) to be selectively in a generation mode for generating an analysis signal, or a reception mode for receiving an analysis signal, and, for controlling the sensor (1) to perform scans of the at least one array (10), each scan having a plurality of scan steps, such that, during each scan step, at least one transducer (12) is in the generation mode and at least one other transducer (12) is in the reception mode; and, a processor (44) for processing one or more signals receivable from one or more of the controller (42), a transducer (12) in generation mode and a transducer (12) in reception mode to determine at least one characteristic from the one or more signals.

主权项

1. A sensor for determining at least one characteristic of at least one substance, the sensor comprising:
at least one array, each array including a plurality of acoustic transducers with a proximal-most transducer and a distal-most transducer; a controller;
for controlling each transducer to be selectively in a generation mode for generating an analysis signal, or a reception mode for receiving an analysis signal transmitted through and/or reflected from one or more of the plurality of substances to produce an output signal, and,for controlling the sensor to perform scans of the at least one array, each scan having a plurality of scan steps, such that, during each scan step, at least one transducer from any of the at least one array is in the generation mode and at least one other transducer from any of the at least one array is in the reception mode; and,a processor for processing one or more signals receivable from one or more of the controller, a transducer in generation mode and a transducer in reception mode to determine the at least one characteristic from the one or more signals.