US3680124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for determining azimuth
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1964-05-11
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Granted: 1972-07-25
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Expires: 1984-05-11
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a system employing a radio interferometer, in conjunction with a satellite whose orbit is precisely known, for determining the azimuth of a receiving station receiving a signal from said satellite by computing the relative phase difference of the signal from said satellite as it appears at each of two spaced antennas at said receiving station.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert M Stone
- 👤 Edwin E Westerfield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:19
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/02; G01S3/14; G01S3/46; G01S3/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
527 words
In a system for determining azimuth the combination with an orbiting active satellite, including a pair of antennas spaced a distance corresponding to a number of wavelengths of a signal from said satellite, a pair of pre-amplifiers, each connected to one of said antennas, a pair of RF amplifier and mixer assemblies, each connected to one of said pre-amplifiers, a linear mixer connected to at least one of said pair of RF amplifier and mixer assemblies, a first IF strip connected to the output of said linear mixer, a fourth mixer connected to the output of said first IF strip, a second IF strip connected to the output of said fourth mixer, a fifth mixer connected to the output of said second IF strip, a third IF strip connected to the output of said fifth mixer, a fourth IF strip connected to the output of said third IF strip, a detector connected to the output of said fourth IF strip, a sweep stop circuit connected to the output of said detector, a discriminator connected to the output of said fourth IF strip, a scan detector connected to the output of said third IF strip, a phase follow-up servo connected to the output of said scan detector, a digital encoder connected to the output of said phase followup servo, a digital print-out unit connected to the output of said digital encoder, an AGC detector connected to the output of said third IF strip and to said first IF strip for keeping the output signal of said first IF strip at an essentially constant level, a first phase comparator connected to the output of said third IF strip, an audio amplifier connected to the output of said first phase comparator, a speaker connected to the output of said audio amplifier, a correlation phase comparator connected to the output of said fourth IF strip, a phase shift network connected to the input of said correlation phase comparator, a relay switch operatively connected to the output of said correlation phase comparator and to the input of said linear mixer, whereby one of said pair of RF amplifier and mixer assemblies can be automatically connected to said linear mixer in response to signals from said correlation phase comparator, a second phase comparator connected to the output of said fourth IF strip, a delay switch operatively connected to said second phase comparator, a transfer function network connected to the output of said dElay switch, a voltage controlled oscillator connected to the output of said transfer function network, a sixth mixer connected to the output of said voltage controlled oscillator, a counter connected to the output of said sixth mixer, a precision oscillator, a decade divider operatively connected to said precision oscillator, said phase follow-up servo, and said digital printout unit, and a frequency synthesizer operatively connected at its input to said precision oscillator, said decade divider, and said voltage controlled oscillator, and connected at its output to each of said pair of RF amplifier and mixer assemblies, said fourth mixer, said phase shift network, said fifth mixer, said first phase comparator, said second phase comparator, said sixth mixer, and said phase follow-up servo.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
527 words
In a system for determining azimuth the combination with an orbiting active satellite, including a pair of antennas spaced a distance corresponding to a number of wavelengths of a signal from said satellite, a pair of pre-amplifiers, each connected to one of said antennas, a pair of RF amplifier and mixer assemblies, each connected to one of said pre-amplifiers, a linear mixer connected to at least one of said pair of RF amplifier and mixer assemblies, a first IF strip connected to the output of said linear mixer, a fourth mixer connected to the output of said first IF strip, a second IF strip connected to the output of said fourth mixer, a fifth mixer connected to the output of said second IF strip, a third IF strip connected to the output of said fifth mixer, a fourth IF strip connected to the output of said third IF strip, a detector connected to the output of said fourth IF strip, a sweep stop circuit connected to the output of said detector, a discriminator connected to the output of said fourth IF strip, a scan detector connected to the output of said third IF strip, a phase follow-up servo connected to the output of said scan detector, a digital encoder connected to the output of said phase followup servo, a digital print-out unit connected to the output of said digital encoder, an AGC detector connected to the output of said third IF strip and to said first IF strip for keeping the output signal of said first IF strip at an essentially constant level, a first phase comparator connected to the output of said third IF strip, an audio amplifier connected to the output of said first phase comparator, a speaker connected to the output of said audio amplifier, a correlation phase comparator connected to the output of said fourth IF strip, a phase shift network connected to the input of said correlation phase comparator, a relay switch operatively connected to the output of said correlation phase comparator and to the input of said linear mixer, whereby one of said pair of RF amplifier and mixer assemblies can be automatically connected to said linear mixer in response to signals from said correlation phase comparator, a second phase comparator connected to the output of said fourth IF strip, a delay switch operatively connected to said second phase comparator, a transfer function network connected to the output of said dElay switch, a voltage controlled oscillator connected to the output of said transfer function network, a sixth mixer connected to the output of said voltage controlled oscillator, a counter connected to the output of said sixth mixer, a precision oscillator, a decade divider operatively connected to said precision oscillator, said phase follow-up servo, and said digital printout unit, and a frequency synthesizer operatively connected at its input to said precision oscillator, said decade divider, and said voltage controlled oscillator, and connected at its output to each of said pair of RF amplifier and mixer assemblies, said fourth mixer, said phase shift network, said fifth mixer, said first phase comparator, said second phase comparator, said sixth mixer, and said phase follow-up servo.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The invention recited in claim 1, additionally including means for sweeping the azimuth determining system over a frequency region surrounding the expected location of a signal from said satellite, and sweep stop means for stopping said sweeping, when the azimuth determining system is swept past the frequency of a signal being received from said satellite, and replacing the signal from said sweeping means with the signal from said discriminator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as recited in claim 2, wherein said sweep stop means is connected to said detector and controlled by signals therefrom, and said sweeping means is connected to said transfer function network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as recited in claim 1, additionally including means for locking onto the phase of a signal received from said satellite.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
235 words
In a system for determining azimuth, the combination with an orbiting active satellite, including a first antenna for receiving signals from said satellite, a second antenna remote from said first antenna for receiving signals from said satellite, a first pre-amplifier connected to said first antenna, a second pre-amplifier connected to said second antenna, a first mixer connected to said first pre-amplifier, a second mixer connected to said second pre-amplifier, a linear mixer connected to both said first and second mentioned mixers, a plurality of IF strips connected to said linear mixer, a detector connected to the output of said plurality of IF strips, a reference oscillator for generating reference signals, a phase comparator connected to said reference oscillator and to the output of said plurality of IF strips, a transfer function network connected to the output of said phase comparator, means for generating local oscillator signals to said first and second mentioned mixers, a continuous phase shifter connected to said local oscillator generating means and to said first mentioned mixer for providing a frequency difference between the signals received by said first and second mixers, and phase measuring means connected to said detector and said continuous phase shifter for measuring the phase difference between the signals received at said first and second antennas whereby the angle difference between the first and second antennas and the radial line of sight to the satellite may be determined.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
235 words
In a system for determining azimuth, the combination with an orbiting active satellite, including a first antenna for receiving signals from said satellite, a second antenna remote from said first antenna for receiving signals from said satellite, a first pre-amplifier connected to said first antenna, a second pre-amplifier connected to said second antenna, a first mixer connected to said first pre-amplifier, a second mixer connected to said second pre-amplifier, a linear mixer connected to both said first and second mentioned mixers, a plurality of IF strips connected to said linear mixer, a detector connected to the output of said plurality of IF strips, a reference oscillator for generating reference signals, a phase comparator connected to said reference oscillator and to the output of said plurality of IF strips, a transfer function network connected to the output of said phase comparator, means for generating local oscillator signals to said first and second mentioned mixers, a continuous phase shifter connected to said local oscillator generating means and to said first mentioned mixer for providing a frequency difference between the signals received by said first and second mixers, and phase measuring means connected to said detector and said continuous phase shifter for measuring the phase difference between the signals received at said first and second antennas whereby the angle difference between the first and second antennas and the radial line of sight to the satellite may be determined.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein said local oscillator generating means is connected to said transfer function network and is responsive to output signals therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
The invention as set forth in claim 6, additionally including means for sweeping the azimuth determining system over a frequency region surrounding the expected location of a signal from said satellite, and sweep stop means for stopping said sweeping, when the azimuth determining system is swept past the frequency of a signal being received from said satellite, and replacing the signal from said sweeping means with the signal from said plurality of IF strips.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as recited in claim 7 wherein said sweeping means is connected to said transfer fUnction network and supplies signals thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as set forth in claim 5, additionally including means for locking onto the phase of a signal received from said satellite.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
236 words
In a system for determining azimuth, the combination with at least one signal generating orbiting satellite whose position is known in inertial space, and a receiving station whose location on the surface of the earth is known, including a first antenna located at said receiving station for receiving signals from said satellite, a second antenna positioned at said receiving station remote from said first antenna for receiving signals from said satellite, receiving means for receiving, amplifying, and detecting signals from said first and second antennas, means for sweeping said receiving means over a frequency region surrounding the expected location of a signal from said satellite, sweep stop means for stopping said sweeping, when the receiver is swept past the frequency of a signal being received from said satellite, means for locking said receiving means onto the phase of a signal received from said satellite by one of said antennas, means for directly measuring the phase difference between the signals received by said first and second antennas and converting this phase difference into a mechanical shaft angle, means for converting said mechanical shaft angle into a coded digital output signal, means for converting said coded digital output signal into a teletype format, and means for punching said teletype format onto paper tape, said paper tape containing phase information, together with the known location of said satellite in inertial space and the known position of said receiving station.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
236 words
In a system for determining azimuth, the combination with at least one signal generating orbiting satellite whose position is known in inertial space, and a receiving station whose location on the surface of the earth is known, including a first antenna located at said receiving station for receiving signals from said satellite, a second antenna positioned at said receiving station remote from said first antenna for receiving signals from said satellite, receiving means for receiving, amplifying, and detecting signals from said first and second antennas, means for sweeping said receiving means over a frequency region surrounding the expected location of a signal from said satellite, sweep stop means for stopping said sweeping, when the receiver is swept past the frequency of a signal being received from said satellite, means for locking said receiving means onto the phase of a signal received from said satellite by one of said antennas, means for directly measuring the phase difference between the signals received by said first and second antennas and converting this phase difference into a mechanical shaft angle, means for converting said mechanical shaft angle into a coded digital output signal, means for converting said coded digital output signal into a teletype format, and means for punching said teletype format onto paper tape, said paper tape containing phase information, together with the known location of said satellite in inertial space and the known position of said receiving station.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
264 words
The combination, with at least one signal generating orbiting satellite whose position is known in inertial space and a receiving station whose location on the surface of the earth is known, including a first antenna located at said receiving station for receiving signals from said satellite, a second antenna positioned at said receiving station remote from said first antenna for receiving signals from said satellite, receiving means for receiving, amplifying, and detecting signals from said first and second antennas, a detector connected to the output of said receiving means, a reference oscillator for generating reference signals, a phase comparator connected to said reference oscillator and to the output of said receiving means, a transfer function network connected to the output of said phase comparator, means for generating local oscillator signals for said receiving means, a continuous phase shifter connected to said local oscillator generating means and to said receiving means for providing a frequency difference between the signals received by said first and second antennas, phase measuring means connected to said receiving means and to said continuous phase shifter for measuring the phase difference between the signals received by said first and second antennas, and converting this phase difference into a mechanical shaft angle, means for converting said mechanical shaft angle into a coded digital output signal, means for converting said coded digital output signal into a teletype format, and means for punching said teletype format onto paper tape, said paper tape containing phase information, together with the known location of said satellite in inertial space and the known position of said receiving station.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
264 words
The combination, with at least one signal generating orbiting satellite whose position is known in inertial space and a receiving station whose location on the surface of the earth is known, including a first antenna located at said receiving station for receiving signals from said satellite, a second antenna positioned at said receiving station remote from said first antenna for receiving signals from said satellite, receiving means for receiving, amplifying, and detecting signals from said first and second antennas, a detector connected to the output of said receiving means, a reference oscillator for generating reference signals, a phase comparator connected to said reference oscillator and to the output of said receiving means, a transfer function network connected to the output of said phase comparator, means for generating local oscillator signals for said receiving means, a continuous phase shifter connected to said local oscillator generating means and to said receiving means for providing a frequency difference between the signals received by said first and second antennas, phase measuring means connected to said receiving means and to said continuous phase shifter for measuring the phase difference between the signals received by said first and second antennas, and converting this phase difference into a mechanical shaft angle, means for converting said mechanical shaft angle into a coded digital output signal, means for converting said coded digital output signal into a teletype format, and means for punching said teletype format onto paper tape, said paper tape containing phase information, together with the known location of said satellite in inertial space and the known position of said receiving station.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as set forth in claim 10, wherein said first and second antennas are positioned at said receiving station a distance apart equal to a number of wavelengths of the signal from said satellite.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as recited in claim 11, wherein said first and second antennas are positioned at said receiving station a distance apart equal to a number of wavelengths of the signal from said satellite.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
74 words
The inveNtion as recited in claim 11, additionally including, means for sweeping said receiving means over a frequency region surrounding the expected location of a signal from said satellite, sweep stop means for stopping said sweeping, when the receiver is swept past the frequency of a signal being received from said satellite, and means for locking said receiving means onto the phase of a signal received from said satellite by one of said antennas.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention as set forth in claim 14, wherein said first and second antennas are positioned at said receiving station a distance apart substantially equal to the number of wavelengths of the signal from said satellite.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
285 words
In an azimuth determining system, the combination with at least one signal generating orbiting satellite whose position is known in inertial space, and a receiving station whose location on the surface of the earth is known, including a first antenna located at said receiving station for receiving signals from said satellite, a second antenna positioned at said receiving station remote from said first antenna for receiving signals from said satellite, receiving means for receiving, amplifying, and detecting signals from said first and second antennas, frequency synthesizing means connected to said receiving means for providing a frequency difference between the signals received by said receiving means from said first and second antennas, means for sweeping said receiving means over a frequency region surrounding the expected location of a signal from said satellite, sweep stop means for stopping said sweeping when the receiving means is swept past the frequency of a signal being received from said satellite, means for locking said receiving means onto the phase of a signal received from said satellite by one of said antennas, means for directly measuring the phase difference between the signals received by said first and second antennas and converting this phase difference into a mechanical shaft angle, means for converting said mechanical shaft angle into a coded digital output signal, means for converting said coded digital output signal into a teletype format, and means for punching said teletype format onto paper tape, said paper tape containing phase information, together with the known location of said satellite in inertial space and the known position of said receiving station, whereby the angle difference between the first and second antennas and the radial line of sight to the satellite may be determined.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
285 words
In an azimuth determining system, the combination with at least one signal generating orbiting satellite whose position is known in inertial space, and a receiving station whose location on the surface of the earth is known, including a first antenna located at said receiving station for receiving signals from said satellite, a second antenna positioned at said receiving station remote from said first antenna for receiving signals from said satellite, receiving means for receiving, amplifying, and detecting signals from said first and second antennas, frequency synthesizing means connected to said receiving means for providing a frequency difference between the signals received by said receiving means from said first and second antennas, means for sweeping said receiving means over a frequency region surrounding the expected location of a signal from said satellite, sweep stop means for stopping said sweeping when the receiving means is swept past the frequency of a signal being received from said satellite, means for locking said receiving means onto the phase of a signal received from said satellite by one of said antennas, means for directly measuring the phase difference between the signals received by said first and second antennas and converting this phase difference into a mechanical shaft angle, means for converting said mechanical shaft angle into a coded digital output signal, means for converting said coded digital output signal into a teletype format, and means for punching said teletype format onto paper tape, said paper tape containing phase information, together with the known location of said satellite in inertial space and the known position of said receiving station, whereby the angle difference between the first and second antennas and the radial line of sight to the satellite may be determined.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as set forth in claim 16, wherein said first and second antennas are positioned at said receiving station a distance apart equal to a number of wavelengths of the signal from said satellite.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
225 words
In an azimuth determining system for use in combination with an orbiting satellite having a known location in inertial space wherein a continuous wave signal is transmitted from said satellite, an azimuth receiver having a known location on the surface of the earth, including first means for receiving the signals from said satellite, second means for receiving the signals from said satellite, means for generating a plurality of signals at diverse frequencies, means for providing a frequency difference between the signals received by said first and second receiving means, means for summing said received signals, means for amplifying and detecting said received signals, means for obtaining the scan signal between said received signals, means for comparing the phase difference between the scan signal and one of the signals generated by said signal generating means of the same frequency, means for converting the phase difference between the signals received by said first and second receiving means into a mechanical shaft angle, means for converting said mechanical shaft angle into a coded digital output signal, means for converting said coded digitAl output signal into a teletype format, and means for punching said teletype format onto paper tape, computer means for processing said phase information from said paper tape, together with the known location of said satellite in inertial space and the known position of said azimuth receiver.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
225 words
In an azimuth determining system for use in combination with an orbiting satellite having a known location in inertial space wherein a continuous wave signal is transmitted from said satellite, an azimuth receiver having a known location on the surface of the earth, including first means for receiving the signals from said satellite, second means for receiving the signals from said satellite, means for generating a plurality of signals at diverse frequencies, means for providing a frequency difference between the signals received by said first and second receiving means, means for summing said received signals, means for amplifying and detecting said received signals, means for obtaining the scan signal between said received signals, means for comparing the phase difference between the scan signal and one of the signals generated by said signal generating means of the same frequency, means for converting the phase difference between the signals received by said first and second receiving means into a mechanical shaft angle, means for converting said mechanical shaft angle into a coded digital output signal, means for converting said coded digitAl output signal into a teletype format, and means for punching said teletype format onto paper tape, computer means for processing said phase information from said paper tape, together with the known location of said satellite in inertial space and the known position of said azimuth receiver.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
124 words
In combination with at least one orbiting signal generating satellite having a known location in inertial space and a receiving station having a known location on the surface of the earth, a method for determining the azimuth of a line passing through two remote antennas on said receiving station, comprising the steps of receiving said signals at each of two remote locations, providing a frequency difference between said signals received at said remote locations, summing said received signals, detecting said summed signals, measuring the phase difference between said received signals, producing a coded digital output signal from said phase difference measurements, converting the digital output signal into a teletype format, placing the teletype format on tape, and processing the information contained on the tape.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
124 words
In combination with at least one orbiting signal generating satellite having a known location in inertial space and a receiving station having a known location on the surface of the earth, a method for determining the azimuth of a line passing through two remote antennas on said receiving station, comprising the steps of receiving said signals at each of two remote locations, providing a frequency difference between said signals received at said remote locations, summing said received signals, detecting said summed signals, measuring the phase difference between said received signals, producing a coded digital output signal from said phase difference measurements, converting the digital output signal into a teletype format, placing the teletype format on tape, and processing the information contained on the tape.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
111 words
In combination with an orbiting signal generating satellite having a known location in inertial space and a receiving station having a known location on the surface of the earth, a method for determining the azimuth of a line passing through two remote antennas on said receiving station, comprising the steps of receiving signals from said satellite at each of two remote locations, measuring the phase difference between said received signals, producing a coded digital output signal from said phase difference measurements, converting the digital output signal into a teletype format, placing the teletype format on tape, and processing the information contained on the tape by the use of a digital computer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
111 words
In combination with an orbiting signal generating satellite having a known location in inertial space and a receiving station having a known location on the surface of the earth, a method for determining the azimuth of a line passing through two remote antennas on said receiving station, comprising the steps of receiving signals from said satellite at each of two remote locations, measuring the phase difference between said received signals, producing a coded digital output signal from said phase difference measurements, converting the digital output signal into a teletype format, placing the teletype format on tape, and processing the information contained on the tape by the use of a digital computer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3005199A
Cited
US3140490A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-25 | 1976-01-24 | 1976-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-25 | 1980-01-24 | 1980-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-25 | 1984-01-24 | 1984-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |