ABSTRACT This paper describes an evaluation scheme that prevents phase ambiguity of surface acoustic wave (SAW) delay-line sensors. Although it is well-known that phase evaluation yields accuracies of 150∼1500 times higher than time-delay evaluation, the problem of phase ambiguity has prevented phase evaluation of sensors operating over a range larger than 2π. This paper addresses this unsolved problem with a complete strategy. Furthermore, the existence of an optimum choice of the relative reflector positions on the sensor is shown. The presented relations enable the design of maximum accuracy SAW delay-line sensors.
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/TUFFC.2008.840
© 2008, by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. All rights reserved.