US3648286A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for searching, selecting and tracking targets utilizing a radar having a range gate
Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1969-12-02
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Granted: 1972-03-07
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Expires: 1989-12-02
Abstract
Abstract In a method for searching, selecting and tracking targets in a given range, utilizing a radar set having a range gate, two successive and contiguous gating pulses are generated responsive to transmission of each radar pulse, and have a duration and position, relative to the radar pulse, corresponding to the target area to be covered so as to contain all echo pulses resulting from the radar pulse. The two gating pulses are displaced, in time, relative to the echo pulses in a time direction such that each gating pulse contains the same content of echo pulse energy or, alternatively speaking, so that the echo pulse having the maximum amplitude is evenly divided between the two gating pulses and centered on the separation line therebetween. The durations of the gating pulses are then decreased, either continuously or stepwise, so that the combined duration is substantially equal to the duration of the echo pulse having the maximum amplitude, while both gating pulses are displaced, in time, relative to this pulse so that the echo pulse remains centered on the separation line between the two gating pulses. The apparatus includes a differential amplifier, a sawtooth wave generator, a comparator and at least one pair of pulse circuits, with the sawtooth generator being triggered by the radar pulse transmitter.
Inventors
- 👤 Hellmuth Schoneborn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/66; G01S13/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for searching, selecting and tracking targets in a given range, utilizing a search radar set having a range gate, said method comprising the steps of, responsive to transmission of each radar pulse, generating two successive and contiguous gating pulses having a duration and position, relative to the radar pulse, corresponding to the target area to be covered so as to contain all echo pulses corresponding to the radar pulses, with the durations of the two pulses being equal to each other; displacing the two gating pulses, in time, relative to the echo pulses in a time direction such that each of the two gating pulses contains the same content of echo pulse energy; and decreasing equally the durations of the two gating pulses to a combined duration substantially equal to the duration of one echo pulse while automatically displacing both gating pulses, in time, relative to the echo pulse in a time direction such that each of the two gating pulses contains the same content of echo pulse energy.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for searching, selecting and tracking targets in a given range, utilizing a search radar set having a range gate, said method comprising the steps of, responsive to transmission of each radar pulse, generating two successive and contiguous gating pulses having a duration and position, relative to the radar pulse, corresponding to the target area to be covered so as to contain all echo pulses corresponding to the radar pulses, with the durations of the two pulses being equal to each other; displacing the two gating pulses, in time, relative to the echo pulses in a time direction such that each of the two gating pulses contains the same content of echo pulse energy; and decreasing equally the durations of the two gating pulses to a combined duration substantially equal to the duration of one echo pulse while automatically displacing both gating pulses, in time, relative to the echo pulse in a time direction such that each of the two gating pulses contains the same content of echo pulse energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the durations of the two gating pulses are decreased continuously.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the durations of the two pulses are decreased stepwise.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the search radar set is carried by a missile, including the step of, immediately prior to launching of the missile, determining, by a radar equipment separate from the search radar carried by the missile, information regarding a target to be hit and setting such information into the missile; and switching on the search radar carried by the missile after the missile has traveled a predetermined distance in the direction of the target.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
190 words
Apparatus for searching, selecting and tracking targets in a given range, utilizing a radar set having a range gate, said apparatus comprising, in combination, radar pulse transmitter means; echo pulse receiver means; gating-pulse-generating means; means connecting said gating-pulse-generating means to said radar pulse transmitter means; said gating pulse generator means, responsive to transmission of each radar pulse, generating two successive and contiguous gating pulses having duration and position, relative to the radar pulse, corresponding to the target area to be covered so as to contain all echo pulses corresponding to the radar pulse; pulse displacing means Connected to said receiver means and to said gating-pulse-generating means and operable, responsive to receipt of echo pulses, to displace the two gating pulses in time, relative to the echo pulses, in a time direction such that each of the two gating pulses contains the same content of echo pulse energy; and pulse duration controlling means connected to said receiver means and operable to decrease equally the durations of the two gating pulses to a combined duration substantially equal to the duration of one echo pulse during continued operation of said pulse displacing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
190 words
Apparatus for searching, selecting and tracking targets in a given range, utilizing a radar set having a range gate, said apparatus comprising, in combination, radar pulse transmitter means; echo pulse receiver means; gating-pulse-generating means; means connecting said gating-pulse-generating means to said radar pulse transmitter means; said gating pulse generator means, responsive to transmission of each radar pulse, generating two successive and contiguous gating pulses having duration and position, relative to the radar pulse, corresponding to the target area to be covered so as to contain all echo pulses corresponding to the radar pulse; pulse displacing means Connected to said receiver means and to said gating-pulse-generating means and operable, responsive to receipt of echo pulses, to displace the two gating pulses in time, relative to the echo pulses, in a time direction such that each of the two gating pulses contains the same content of echo pulse energy; and pulse duration controlling means connected to said receiver means and operable to decrease equally the durations of the two gating pulses to a combined duration substantially equal to the duration of one echo pulse during continued operation of said pulse displacing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, said range gate including two switching devices each having a signal input connected to said echo pulse receiver means to receive an echo signal and each having a control input supplied with a respective signal giving the position and duration of a respective gating pulse then operative, each switching device having an output; said displacing means including a differential amplifier having a pair of inputs each connected to the output of a respective switching device, said differential amplifier having a difference output; said displacing means further including at least one integrator connected to the difference output of said differential amplifier; a comparator included in said displacing means and having an output connected to said gating-pulse-generating means; a sawtooth signal generator; means applying the output signal of said integrator and the output of said sawtooth signal generator to said comparator; means connecting said sawtooth signal generator to said radar pulse transmitter means for synchronizing by said radar pulse transmitter means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which said differential amplifier has a sum output; said pulse duration controlling means including further switching devices connected to the sum output of said differential amplifier and to said gating-pulse-generating means, said further switching devices controlling said gating pulse-generating means as a function of the signal appearing at the sum output of said differential amplifier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, in including an impedance network connected to said integrator and operable to preset, into said integrator, an initial value which is a function of the distance between said radar set and the target.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, in which said gating-pulse-generating means comprises two pairs of gating pulse generators, one generator of each pair being connected to the control input of one of said first-mentioned switching devices and the other generator of each pair being connected to the control input of the other of said first-mentioned switching devices; said further switching devices including a first relay operating first switching means selectively operable to connect said integrator to the difference output of said differential amplifier; said pulse-duration-controlling means including a second relay including second switching means operable to selectively connect either of said pairs of said pulse generators to said comparator; said first switching means controlling energization of said second relay.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 9, in which said second relay has a delayed pickup.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2717999A
Cited
US3495245A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-07 | 1975-09-06 | 1976-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-07 | 1979-09-06 | 1980-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-07 | 1983-09-06 | 1984-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |