Abstract: A system and method for determining the position of an aircraft. An aircraft signal is received by a first antenna and a second antenna, the first antenna being at a known baseline distance from the second antenna. A processor is used to calculate the time difference of arrival range between the second antenna and the aircraft using a common time reference signal. The position of the aircraft is determined by a position determinator based upon the baseline distance between the first and second antennas, the range between the first antenna and the aircraft, and the time difference of arrival range between the second antenna and the aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multi-function, multi-channel digital receiver architecture for performing three distinct receiver functions including simultaneous intrapulse analysis, direction finding and LPI signal detection; for determining parameters of incoming signals, comprising a plurality of receiver channels, each channel including a respective antenna for receiving the signal; a down-converter for converting the signal to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal; and an analog-to-digital converter operatively coupled to receive the IF signal and to provide a digital signal at a sampling rate, the digital signal being indicative of the amplitude and phase of the received signal in the channel, and a digital processor operatively coupled to receiving the digital signals from each of the plurality of channels for determining the amplitude and phase intrapulse profiles; by combining the amplitude and phase intrapulse profiles from all of the plurality of channels to provide both intrapulse and conventio

Abstract: The present invention uses feedback 300 from RF carrier frequency measurements 301 to disassociate the emitter angle-of-arrival component 313 in the ambiguous phase measurement 312 from the initially unknown phase measurement integer ambiguities 314; to then process 302 resolve the ambiguities; and finally to process 303 to obtain the correct emitter AOA. The present invention does this by converting the actual interferometer baselines 315 on which the unassociated pulse 308 phase measurements 304 were made at different emitter frequencies to a baseline set 305 for a single-frequency equivalent interferometer array. This conceptual array has the following property: the phase measurement 306 that would be made on it at the fixed frequency for a signal at the same direction-of-arrival 307 are identical to the actual phase measurements made on the physical array. Because of this equivalency the conceptual array is called the E(equivalent)-array.

Abstract: A direction finder is provided that can measure the incoming angles of plural incoming signals without spatially moving antenna elements and can be used in outdoor mobile communication environments. The direction finder also can shorten the measurement time. An array antenna comprises plural antenna elements arranged at regular intervals. The received signal components due to the mutual coupling between the antenna elements are removed by multiplying time series signal groups by the inverse matrix of a coupling coefficient matrix of the array antenna. The time series signal groups are obtained by modulating signals received with the array antenna. The covariance matrix of the received signal group can be subjected to a movement averaging process in terms of the Vandermonde format.

Abstract: An interferometer antenna system (32) for measuring the angle of arrival of RF signals. The interferometer antenna system (32) includes a plurality of interferometer antenna elements (36) coupled to a first switching network (42). The first switching network (42) is coupled to only two interferometer receivers (44, 46). The first switching network (42) selectively connects the plurality of interferometer antenna elements (36) in pairs to the two interferometer receivers (44, 46) in a sequential manner, so that a phase difference is measured between the received signal for several of the pairs of the interferometer elements (36). Additionally, a plurality of guard antenna elements (38) are coupled to a second switching network (48). A single guard receiver (50) is coupled to the second switching network (48), where the second switching network (48) selectively connects one of the guard antenna elements (38) to the guard receiver (50) in a sequential manner.

Abstract: An array antenna for direction-finding includes antenna elements which define a triangular outline well-suited for meeting space constraints or reducing reflections from mounting conditions associated with the array antenna. The actual geometric configuration of the antenna elements is limited to certain triangular configurations with corresponding geometric correction factors to maintain the accuracy of estimating the angle of arrival. A processing system determines the appropriate angle of arrival based upon differential phases received in the antenna elements and the appropriate geometric correction factor.

Abstract: Two pairs of signals determinative of bearing to a transmitter are developed from two pairs of directional antennas. The signals, converted to digital form, are compared to each other to develop a result signal. The result signal is used to select a primary pair out of the original two pair of signals. The non-primary pair of signals are compared to each other to develop a binary sign bit. The primary signal pair, the result signal and the sign signal are applied to a table to develop a bearing quantity related to the bearing to the transmitter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for calibrating a Wireless Location System to enable the system to make highly accurate TDOA and FDOA measurements are disclosed. An external calibration method in accordance with the present invention comprises the steps of transmitting a first reference signal from a reference transmitter; receiving the first reference signal at first and second receiver systems; determining a first error value by comparing a measured TDOA (or FDOA) value with a theoretical TDOA (or FDOA) value associated with the known locations of the receiver systems and the known location of the reference transmitter; and utilizing the first error value to correct subsequent TDOA measurements associated with a mobile transmitter to be located.

Abstract: A TCAS receiver, including a relative bearing measurement radio receiving apparatus for use with an antenna array having four antennas where each antenna has associated with it, its own receiver capable of demodulating both I and Q components of transmissions from an intruding aircraft.

Abstract: An antenna unit for measuring the velocity of a flowing material by the Doppler effect is particularly suited for use where only a limited space is available. The antenna unit comprises a support block having first and second surfaces disposed at an acute angle (optimally 45.degree.) relative to each other. A printed circuit antenna card having thereon a high gain antenna comprising a phased array of antenna elements is mounted to the second surface and radiates microwave energy toward the first surface. A plate having an opening therein is disposed adjacent the first surface, the plate being made of a material which absorbs radiated energy incident thereon. The support block is provided with a recess for receiving an absorber wedge which absorbs the energy radiated in near side lobes. The absorber wedge and plate shape the radiation pattern so that energy radiated by the antenna intercepts the material at an angle of 45.degree..+-.15.degree. when the first surface is disposed parallel to the axis of flow.

Abstract: A method of determining the location of an unknown source (10) transmitting an unknown signal to satellite relays (14 and 16) comprises receiving the signal from the relays at respective receivers (18). The receivers (18) receive reference signals via respective relays from a common source (22). The unknown signal and reference signal received by each receiver (18) are processed coherently to preserve their timing and phase information relative to one another independently of signals received elsewhere. The signals are frequency downconverted and digitised, and transferred to a common processing computer (150). The computer (150) performs cross ambiguity function processing of the reference signals to determine their relative Differential Time Offset (DTO) and Differential Frequency Offset (DFO).

Abstract: System for determining the position of radar transmitters where the system includes at least one information center with associated cells and means of communication between the information center and the cells with a restricted transfer rate utilising existing infrastructure in the country, such as for example a national telephone network and also mobile telephone networks and their base stations. Each cell includes at least one sensor in order to be able to detect radar signals. Leading edges of pulses in the radar signals are detected and time-marked after which they are sorted according to PRI (Pulse Repetition Interval). The time of arrival for the first pulse in a pulse train is calculated and data reduced by modulo calculation to a value that as a maximum is the propagation time difference for pulses between two cells in a pair of cells/sensors that are used together for calculating the bearing.

Abstract: A dual radio frequency interferometer aided by laser rangefinder and terrain database system utilizes two linear rays of RFI sensors to determine the position of a source of RF energy. The dual RFI system is very attractive in that it is a passive system and cannot be detected by other sensors or systems while it is going through its position determination operation. Furthermore, use of two linear arrays of sensors allows for the elimination of chronic effects inherent in radio frequency interferometers. The two linear arrays can be placed anywhere on a vehicle as long as they are in the same common geometric plane and in-flight mechanisms are provided to transform the coordinate systems from the in-flight platform coordinates to the local geodetic coordinates. This provides positioning and source identification which can be beneficial to not only the present system but other systems in the area.

Abstract: A method of detection and tracking of targets using multiple angle-only sensors is disclosed. The method is computationally efficient and is capable of detecting and tracking multiple targets in true three dimensional space. The method comprises distributing a set of modules in space and associating those modules with bearing lines from each sensor to each target. Through repetitive iterative associations between modules and bearing lines, the modules converge on the targets present.

Abstract: In a long base line interferometer system for determining the position of a transmitter, the phase differences between the signal received by the antennas at each end of the base line are monitored as the interferometer moves through a measurement path to obtain phase difference measurements distributed along the measurement path. A cost function involving measuring the sum of the squares of the differences between measured values and predicted values is determined for each of a set of trial location grid points and the grid point with the lowest cost function is selected as a starting point for determining the transmitter location by least squares convergence. In evaluating the cost function, the predicted values are obtained from the equation: ##EQU1## in which .o slashed..sub.0 is unknown phase offset and the X and Y coordinates of the transmitter are unknown. The least squares convergence is carried out by iteratively adding corrections to predicted values for the unknowns until convergence occurs.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for determining position from code modulated, suppressed carrier signals received from satellites, in which a digital composite of the signals received from a plurality of satellites is formed at a first point, the digital composite is processed to measure the carrier phase of the signal from each of the plurality of satellites to derive computer data, and said computer data are combined with data derived from measurements of signals received from the same plurality of satellites at another point, to determine position data.

Abstract: The method and apparatus precisely identifies and locates an object which resonates in response to signals of at least one and, more typically, two resonant frequencies. The locating apparatus includes a transmitter for concurrently transmitting signals having a resonant frequency and signals having a non-resonant frequency toward the resonant object. The locating apparatus also includes at least two receivers for receiving reflected signals having the resonant frequency and the non-resonant frequency. The locating apparatus further includes a signal processor for locating the resonant object based upon the reflected signals detected by the receivers. The signal processor has multiple channels, one of which is associated with each receiver, for separately processing the reflected signals received over time by each of the receivers.

Abstract: A process for locating a transmitter in which the signal is received by first and second receivers and then processed by respective analog to digital converters and filtered to yield first and second digital signals. There is relative motion between at least one of the receivers and the transmitter. A compression process local to the first receiver compresses the first digital signal. The result of the compression process is transmitted to a cross-correlation unit which is local to the second receiver and coupled also to receive the second digital signal. Locally to the first receiver, correction factors for the solution to the cross-correlation function are determined and transmitted to a correction unit at the second receiver site which applies the correction factors to the solution of the cross-correlation function. The location of the transmitter is determined based on time difference of arrival and frequency difference of arrival results output from the correction unit.

Abstract: A method and system for locating the three dimensional coordinates of a moving or stationary object in real time. The three dimensional coordinates of an object in half space or full space are determined based upon the time of arrival or phase of the wave front measured by a plurality of receiver elements and an established vector magnitudes proportional to the measured time of arrival or phase at each receiver element. The coordinates of the object are calculated by solving a matrix equation or a set of closed form algebraic equations.

Abstract: A channelised bearing processor comprises a channelised receiver consisting of a plurality of i.f. receivers (34 to 42) covering contiguous parts of a predetermined frequency range. Each of the receivers (34 to 42) is connected to a respective, continuously energised local oscillator (35 to 43). A plurality of direction finding antennas (10 to 15) are coupled to respective receiving channels for producing an amplitude signal. Each receiving channel includes a tunable i.f. receiver (24A to 24F) having an input (26A to 26F) for a local oscillator signal. A local oscillator selector (50) is responsive to an output from one of the channelised receivers (34 to 42) to connect the local oscillator (35 to 43) connected to that one of the channelised receivers (34 to 42) to the local oscillator signal inputs (26A to 26F) of the tunable i.f. receivers (24A to 24F) in the receiving channels.

Abstract: The technique allows precise angle-of-arrival (AOA) and radio frequency measurements on non-cooperative radar signals, by exploiting precise phase measurement capabilities of frequency measurement receivers. It is assumed that the intercept receivers with this capability are on board an aircraft and there are at least two antennas available. By utilizing the phase measurements, the incident frequency and incident phase angle are calculated using formulae derived under the disclosed technique. By taking multiple samples and averaging, angle measurement errors can be reduced.

Abstract: A MICrowave RADiometric (MICRAD) guidance system is disclosed which utilizes an antenna having four beams, designated right, left, up and down. Information from the four beams is monitored essentially 100% of the time by passing through appropriate ferrite cross-switching means to four separate receivers. Information from two of the receivers passes through a first multiplexer and feedback gain balancer to provide a target azimuth output, and information from the remaining two receivers passes through a second multiplexer and feedback gain balancer to provide a target elevation output. A local oscillator heterodynes each of the four receivers in common, and a switch driver couples each of the multiplexers to the ferrite cross-switching means and gain balancers for appropriate selection.

Abstract: A receiver system for measuring the bearing of a target having ambiguity correction. The receiver system includes a four element antenna array, three receivers and two phase detectors. The system further includes switching means for selectively connecting the antenna elements to the receivers and the receivers to the phase detectors to obtain two pairs of bearing components, from which the target bearing is computed.

Abstract: Direction finding apparatus comprising at least ten antenna channels for connection to respective antennae in use, at least five receiver channels each coupled to at least two different antenna channels constituting a group, and circuitry for receiving and comparing the outputs of the receiver channels to determine the angular location of the signal source; the arrangement being such that in use the antennae of each group of antenna channels have a sufficient angular separation such that only one is capable of detecting the signal source at one time, and the nearest neighboring antennae of each group are coupled to respective different receiver channels different from the receiver channel of that group.

Abstract: Differential phase measurement techniques and apparatus for accurately loing unknown transmitters over great distances at radio frequencies below HF. A network of separated, time- and phase-synchronized, pairs of receiving stations having vertical whip antennas and having a known base-line geometry with respect to each other are used to accurately measure VLF phase differentials. The measured phase differences are compared against theoretical calculated values to provide highly accurate transmitter location information.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for measuring the baseline vector b between a pair of survey marks on the ground by radio interferometry using radio signals broadcast from the earth orbiting satellites of the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS), the radio signals broadcast by the satellites being double-sideband modulated with their carriers suppressed. The signals received by one antenna during a predetermined time span are separated into upper and lower sideband components. These separate components are filtered, converted to digital form, and then multiplied together. Differences in Doppler shift are utilized to distinguish the carriers of different satellites. Thus, the powers and carrier phases of the signals from a plurality of satellites are measured simultaneously and numerical data representing the measurement results are obtained at each survey mark.

Abstract: Method and device in the antenna and receiving system of a radio theodolite, wherein the radio signal arriving from the transmitter of the object (31) to be measured is received by means of at least three antennas (1 . . . n-1) in the antenna field (AK) as well as by means of a reference antenna (n). The signals received from said antennas are passed to the receiving system, being controlled and selected by an antenna-selection switch (10a). By means of said system, the phase differences between the signals of different antennas are detected and measured, on the basis of which phase differences it is possible to calculate the angles of incidence (.alpha.,.epsilon.) of the signals on the basis of the known coordinates of location of the antennas in the antenna field (AK). In the method an outer reference antenna (n+1) is used which does not belong to the antenna field (AK) proper. The phases of the antennas (1 . . .

Abstract: A conformal array antenna system is disclosed comprising a structural base body having a shape suitable for a surface of an airplane or a ship, and a plurality of antenna units disposed on the structural base body. Signals received by these antenna units are converted into digital signals and fed to a digital beam forming circuit which synthesizes such digital signals to form a multiplicity of beams. The antenna units and the digital beam forming circuits may be connected by electrical transmission lines or optical fibers.

Abstract: In a direction finder operating according to the Watson-Watt principle and having two separate receivers (3, 4) of the same type and of simple construction for the signals of the two crossed directional antenna systems (A, B, C, D), the vectorial simulation signals VN in a transmission line for intermediate frequency antenna signals are compared to vectorial rectified signals VV in order to compensate the phase shift caused in both receivers by means of an adjustable phase shifter (21). The vectorial signals VV are selectively derived from the antenna signals as sum signals or difference signals. In one embodiment, a reconstructed phase signal is obtained by reverse pulse control in a direction finding ellipse generator (24, 25) having two outputs on the basis of the difference between the vectorial rectified signal VV and the rectified vectorial simulation signal VN.

Abstract: A system for simultaneously locating a plurality of targets and distinguishing the targets from noise which utilizes phase detector techniques to generate complex voltage signals and obtain phase information. Spectral analysis is performed on the complex voltage temporal functions to generate doppler frequency functions. Both spectral phase functions and spectral amplitude functions are generated from the doppler frequency functions. Spectral phase functions are analyzed using interferometry techniques to determine if a potential target has a common locational source from returns of a plurality of sensors. A zenith angle is also generated using interferometry techniques to provide locational information of the multiple targets. Range gating and two frequency range detection methods provide high resolution range information as to the location of the targets. High resolution range information and two dimensional zenith angle information are used to provide an image of the targets.

Abstract: An interferometer type DF system uses an array of five antennas (A,B,C,D,E) arranged at the apices of a regular pentagon to define five wide apertures along the sides of the pentagon and a further five apertures along the diagonals. The phases of the signals received by each antenna, are measured modulo 2.pi. and processed to give a unique bearing of the radio source to the accuracy of the widest aperture defined by the array. One method of processing the phases is to calculate from them the Fourier coefficients of the Fourier series representing the spatial phase distribution. By comparing the difference between each calculated coefficient and a corresponding order coefficient of a set of imaginary antenna phases expressed as integral multiples of 2.pi., the complete 2.pi. phase differences between the measured phases modulo 2.pi. can be found.

Abstract: The angle of arrival (.theta.) of an RF signal is determined using only two widely spaced antennas (A, B). A coarse/fine measurement system (40) is disclosed wherein the actual time delay between zero-crossings responsive to the same RF carrier cycle within the pulse envelope arriving at each antenna is determined. There is no need for additional antenna pairs with different baselines to otherwise resolve ambiguity.

Abstract: A DF system using a circular array of three to eight antennas, analyses the received signals digitally by first calculating at (8) the Fourier transform of the received signals to obtain frequency information and deriving at (10) from the Fourier transform the relative phases of the received signals at each of a number of spaced sample frequencies. This phase information is then fed to a stage (12) which takes the spatial Fourier series of the phases from which the required bearing information is derived as .pi./2 minus the arctan of the ratio of the real and imaginary parts of the Fourier series taken to suitable moduli. For a four antenna array the diameter of the circular array is constrained to be less than half of the wavelength at the highest frequency of interest. For a three antenna array, the diameter is constrained to be less than one third the wavelength at the highest frequency of interest in order that the analysis should yield accurate and unambiguous bearing outputs.