Abstract: A microwave system for locating a mobile element comprises a hollow tube forming a waveguide fed with microwave signals. A location beacon radiates into free space an electromagnetic wave derived from the microwave signals propagating in the waveguide. A location antenna attached to the mobile element receives the electromagnetic wave radiated by the beacon. The location beacon transmits to the antenna a single electric field signal enabling transmission of a location message.

Abstract: A vehicle guidance system for guiding a vehicle on a virtual track includes a waveguide connected to a member emitting electromagnetic radiation at a frequency between 1 and 100 kHz and disposed on the axis of the track to be followed. At least one set of two magnetic sensors disposed on the vehicle receive the field to determine the lateral offset of the vehicle relative to the axis of the track.

Abstract: A system for transmitting data and/or instructions and/or localization between a moving element and a control station. The system includes a hollow tube running parallel to the path of the moving element and constituting a waveguide, the tube having an emitting face which is pierced by a network of openings, and the moving element including a pair of microwave transmit and/or receive antennas. The network of openings on the emissive face of the hollow tube makes it possible to transmit two distinct electric field signals between the openings and the transmit and/or receive antenna. One of the signals serves to transmit data and/or instructions, and the other serves to measure the speed and the position of the moving element by detecting the presence of the second signal. Other systems relate to the application of such hollow tubes to automobile toll stations for monitoring an enclosure which is dangerous for personnel.

Abstract: The transponder is constituted by a waveguide (1) having a large face (2) including longitudinal slots (3) and pairs of slots distributed along the axis (WW') of the large face at one pair per n longitudinal slots. Each pair is constituted by two transverse slots (4, 4') situated facing a longitudinal slot. The presence of a pair corresponds to a one value bit and the absence of a pair corresponds to a zero value bit. The longitudinal slots receive radiation from a transmit antenna (A1) including a low frequency and a high frequency. They radiate to a first receive antenna (A2) using radiation at the high frequency. The pairs radiate to a second receive antenna (A3) using radiation at the low frequency. The antennas are fixed relative to one another and they move relative to the transponder.