Abstract: A beacon system wherein a beacon station is placed at a landmark such as a state line adjacent a major highway to broadcast information-containing alternating directional signals. In addition, each vehicle may be equipped with a radio receiver, a receiving decoder and a data analysis processor for receiving data signals from the beacon station. The beacon station includes an information encoder for generating first and second alternating but distinct location signals, first and second directional antennas disposed to radiate in opposite directions along the path of travel, the directional antennas having a significant back attenuation, a radio frequency transmitter for broadcasting the two location signals, preferably as data packets, to vehicle-mounted receivers along the path of travel, and an r.f. switcher for switching signal output of the transmitter between the two antennas in synchronization with the two location signals.

Abstract: An arrowhead for use in a ballistic arrow having a radio locating transmitter comprises a composite structure of a dielectric shank having a plurality of electrically conductive blades that function as a counterpoise for a primary antenna of the transmitter. The blades are disposed symmetrically about a long axis of the shank in respective, uniformly spaced planes that extend radially outwardly from the outer surface of the shank. Another embodiment of the composite arrowhead comprises a unitary dielectric shank and blades wherein the counterpoise is formed by deposition of a thin metal layer on at least a portion of the shank and blade surfaces. The combination of the dielectric shank which is of low density and the electrically conductive counterpoise that is of small mass, effects an overall weight reduction in the arrow to achieve a flatter trajectory and increased flight range.

Abstract: A system to control sea navigation or traffic of a plurality of ships or moving bodies is disclosed. The system comprises a radio navigation reference system comprising at least two reference beacon sources and a navigation central station M. Said central station M, the reference beacon sources and the ships or moving bodies are provided with a first intercommunication means from said central station M to each reference beacon source, said first intercommunication means being synchronized by said central station M, and a second intercommunication means from said central station and each reference beacon source to each ship or moving body.

Abstract: A hunting arrow tracking system includes a tubular housing removably connectable to an arrow shaft and enclosing a battery-powered transmitter. The batteries are disposed in a container in the housing which is spring biased against a piezoceramic transducer which generates a trigger signal in response to longitudinal acceleration or deceleration of the arrow to set a latch for connecting the battery to the transmitter, thereby causing it to transmit a low duty cycle pulsed signal. The transmitter is connected to a strip antenna which extends the length of the arrow shaft and is adhesively secured to the outer surface thereof. A directional receiver receives the transmitted signal and indicates the direction from which it is being received. The latch can be reset by passing a magnet over the arrow to activate a reed switch.

Abstract: An emergency vessel or vehicle location system (EVLS) is provided with a protected mayday switch for controlling the transceiver or module to which it is attached, so as to permit activation of the emergency vessel location system by use of a switch, in one embodiment, on the same microphone used for two-way communication. The protection of the mayday switch is provided by a specialized transparent latch in which the latch is spring loaded over the mayday switch such that accidental depression of the mayday switch is prevented, while permitting viewing of the switch legend through the transparent latch. The protected switch may be used on the microphone, on an auxiliary unit, or on the transceiver itself.

Abstract: A detachable arrow shaft insert, battery housing and transmitter casing accommodating an arrowhead and allowing separation of the insert and thus transmitting means from the arrow shaft when the arrowhead is lodged in a target and an outward pulling force is applied to the arrow shaft. The arrow shaft insert has an insert body that fits within the arrow shaft. The insert body is secured with respect to the arrow shaft with O-rings, circumferential ribs, or longitudinal ribs. An electronic transmitter can be connected to one end of the insert body or battery housing such that the electronic transmitter is housed within the arrow shaft. A conventional arrowhead is attached to one end of the insert body. The arrowhead, insert body, battery housing and electronic transmitter, if used, will remain intact, lodged in an animal's body or target even if the arrow shaft is forcibly disengaged from the insert body.

Abstract: A reference signal used for orienting an object has a beam of electromagnetic radiation with a first signal component that is a rotating component and also a second signalcomponent which is periodically generated when the first signal component is in a predetermined direction. The beam may be a linearly polarized laser light beam with a rotating plane of polarization, an unpolarized laser light beam with a rotating and shaped image of predetermined configuration, or a linearly polarized microwave beam with a rotating plane of polarization. The second signal component may be generated as a component of the beam bearing the first signal component or separately generated and propagated. Provisions are made for receiving and comparing the direction indicated by the reference signal with the direction of the object to be oriented and the information derived from the comparison is analyzed and processed to provide an output signal that useful in orienting the object.

Abstract: When reception of satellite signals is lost, for example, one minute, satellite signals are searched firstly in accordance with a narrow-band search mode by varying a search frequency within a range of Doppler frequency shift estimated by a moving speed of a GPS receiver, for example, .+-.600 Hz for a vehicle-mounted GPS receiver, for a duration which is determined by dividing a capture range (.+-.150 Hz) by a rate of Doppler shift (40 Hz/sec) and, secondly, switching over the search mode from the narrow-band search to a wide-band search if recapturing of the satellite signal is failed through the narrow-band search within the predetermined duration (3 minutes 45 seconds) for recapturing the lost satellite signals, and thereby providing a expeditious two-step search method for decreasing a time required in recapturing the lost satellite signals.

Abstract: An arrow incorporating a radio signal transmitting device allows a hunter to find a lost arrow. The arrow includes a hollow aluminum shaft which acts as the primary transmitting antenna. A braded metal cable inside the hollow shaft acts as a secondary antenna when the primary antenna is broken, for whatever reason.

Abstract: A plat reference system for coordinating reception of data from plural information sources and controlling the output of data-signifying energy representing the data from such sources to produce any output presentation for human or machine receptors, including a sensor input resolution unit having rotation translation timing capacity incorporated therein, for receiving information data from plural predetermined spatial locations. A spatial reference unit having spatial reference mathematical information stored therein is provided to apply mathematical functions therefrom to the input resolution unit to translate the input data from the sensors to a spatial referenced correlated form. A plat reference unit supplies a prescribed plat reference to a comparison and encoding unit for comparing the output from the resolution unit to the plat reference to control timing of the output energy to provide the prescribed output presentation.

Abstract: A miniaturized electronic transmitter tracking device (10) for mounting on the shaft of a hunting arrow (12) is provided. An integral membrane or diaphragm (38) attaches the transmitter to the arrow (12) in the preferred embodiment and allows the transmitter to break away from the arrow when the arrow strikes some object. A membrane switch (32) is activated when the face plate (40) of the device (10) impacts the animal. Barbed points (42) are driven into the surface of the struck animal by the force of the impact, thus firmly attaching the device (10) to the object. In its preferred embodiment, the transmitter device (10) is used in conjunction with a base receiver (16) to determine the transmitter's location after the arrow (12) has been fired.

Abstract: A navigator system for providing in a moving vehicle a display of the position of the vehicle on a map. This position is recalibrated by a roadside antenna that transmits a split beam so that the signal is a minimum directly in front of the antenna. The on-board navigator recalibrates the position from data transmitted immediately before when the received signal is abruptly decreased as the vehicle passes directly in front of the antenna.

Abstract: A low cost electronic navigation system including a Loran receiver and a marine radar unit adapted to receive vessel position information from the Loran. A computer within the radar unit uses successive Loran outputs to display vessel heading and the bearing of objects of interest such as other vessels or waypoints in graphic and numeric form. The navigator may accurately determine the bearing of such objects of interest in magnetic or true form. Other modes are of particular use when the navigator is interested in using the system to maintain a desired course, to avoid obstacles, or to determine if and by how much he must change his present course to return to the desired course.

Abstract: A roadside beacon system having improved reliability in the face of multi-path fading and the presence of large vehicles or the like which shield or scatter the received signal. The roadside antenna is of the split beam type. In the navigation system on the vehicle, the received signal is divided into two parts. The first part is smoothed and its level detected to determine when the vehicle is approaching an antenna. The remaining signal is then employed directly to detect the null in the transmitted beam when the vehicle passes directly in front of the antenna.

Abstract: A digital receiver for GPS C/A-code signals is described. The GPS receiver of the present invention provides reception and tracking a plurality of satellites simultaneously, using four separate receiver channels. The GPS receiver of the present invention includes an analog front-end for selecting and frequency translating the received GPS signal. The GPS receiver further includes a highspeed digital signal processor for recovering the despread data of the GPS signal. The baseband signal is further processed by a general purpose digital signal processor for signal search, tracking, and data recovery operations, and a microprocessor provides overall receiver control, and interface with the operator of the GPS receiver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining remote object orientation and position with an electromagnetic coupling. A plurality of radiating antennas are provided for radiating electromagnetic energy. Each of the radiating antennas have independent components for defining a source reference coordinate frame. A transmitter is provided for applying electrical signals to the radiating antennas for generating a plurality of electromagnetic fields. The signals are multiplexed so that the fields are distinguishable from one another. A plurality of receiving antennas are disposed on a remote object for receiving the transmitted electromagnetic fields. The receiving antennas have a plurality of independent components for detecting the transmitted electromagnetic fields and defining a sensor reference coordinate frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining remote object orientation and position with an electromagnetic coupling. A plurality of radiating antennas are provided for radiating electromagnetic energy. Each of the radiating antennas have independent components for defining a source reference coordinate frame. A transmitter is provided for applying electrical signals to the radiating antennas for generating a plurality of electromagnetic fields. The signals are multiplexed so that the fields are distinguishable from one another. A plurality of receiving antennas are disposed on a remote object for receiving the transmitted electromagnetic fields. The receiving antennas have a plurality of independent components for detecting the transmitted electromagnetic fields and defining a sensor reference coordinate frame.

Abstract: A position finding and collision avoidance system derives, at an Own station within the service area of an identified SSr at a known location, differential azimuth (A), differential time of arrival (T), identity and altitude data regarding any transponder-equipped Other station or stations within a predeterminable region surrounding Own station, from standard ATCRBS interrogations and replies. These data are used to compute the positions of Other stations for display at Own station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking an arrow and/or game animal shot in the sport of archery hunting is disclosed. The arrow contains a radio-frequency transmitter in a circuit also containing a power supply, and an inertia-activation switch in the shaft thereof. The circuit is of a size and weight so as not to alter the flight characteristics of the arrow. Once shot, the inertia-activation switch momentarily closes, causing the transmitter to transmit a signal. The archer carries a radio-frequency receiver with a directional antenna and a magnitude indicator and earphone coupled thereto to allow tracking and retrieval of the arrow and game animal.

Abstract: A battery powered radio transmitter of a cross-sectional diameter substantially equal to the cross-sectional diameter of an arrow shaft is positioned in series between the head and nock of a metallic hunting arrow. The transmitter section of the shaft is light in weight so as not to affect the normal flight characteristics of the arrow. The shaft portion between the transmitter and the nock acts as the antenna for the transmitter. A switch is provided for operation of the transmitter. A portable directional radio receiver of the same frequency as the transmitter is utilized by the hunter to track the spent arrow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking an arrow and/or game animal shot in the sport of archery hunting is disclosed. The arrow contains a radio-frequency transmitter in a circuit also containing a power supply, and an inertia-activation switch in the shaft thereof. The circuit is of a size and weight so as not to alter the flight characteristics of the arrow. Once shot, the inertia-activation switch momentarily closes, causing the transmitter to transmit a signal. The archer carries a radio-frequency receiver with a directional antenna and a magnitude indicator and earphone coupled thereto to allow tracking and retrieval of the arrow and game animal.