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Patent Number: 5,387,885
Date of Patent: Feb. 7, 1995
Inventor: Vernon L. Chi (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Appl. No.: 66,374
Filed: May 25, 1993
Related U.S. Application Data: Continuation of Ser. No. 518,463, May 3, 1990, abandoned.
Int. Cl.: H01P 1/213; H03H 7/48
U.S. Cl.: 333/100
56 Claims

Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing salphasic distributions of synchronization signals to physically separated entities typically composing a system. Salphasic behavior is a fundamental property of standing waves in any physical situation governed by the wave equation and where the signal is isophasic, i.e., its phase remains constant, over extended regions and abruptly jumps by 180 degrees between adjacent regions. This behavior is used to minimize the phase shifts due to propagation path lengths. A sinusoidal signal is generated and impressed on a distribution medium which is in turn connected to receivers at the various entities to be synchronized. The medium and loads due to the receivers are composed to cause the synchronizing signal to form nearly pure standing waves in the medium. This enables all the entities to receive the synchronizing signal substantially in the same phase to within an ambiguity of exactly 180 degrees, and all the entities within an isophasic region to receive the synchronizing signal in substantially the same phase. Salphasic behavior may be exploited for any geometry of medium (one-, two-, or three-dimensional) and is well suited but not restricted to electrical/electronic systems.