Abstract Non-distorting retransmission of the navigational signals from the object to be located to a remote signal-processing station, with apparatus comprising an antenna located at the object to initially receive the navigational signals; a linear radio frequency amplifier connected to the antenna to amplify the received signals; a source of radio frequency signals at a telemetry frequency; a controllable gain amplifier connected to receive the telemetry frequency signals; a differential amplifier having its output connected to the gain control terminal of the controllable gain amplifier and having its inputs respectively responsive to the outputs of the other two amplifiers to effectively compare their outputs and provide a voltage at the gain control terminal in accordance with any difference therebetween, whereby the telemetry frequency signals are modulated in accordance with the received navigational signals; a transmitting antenna connected to transmit the modulated signals to the processing station; and a converter at the processing station to convert the modulated signals to the frequency band of the original navigational signals.
Inventors
👤 Hoyt C Hottel Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-03 04:42
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S5/00; G01S5/0009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
Apparatus for receiving radio frequency signals at an object to be located, retransmitting said signals from said object to a remote signal-processing station, and converting said signals at said station into a form processable to locate said object, comprising an antenna at said object for receiving said signals, a linear radio frequency amplifier connected to said antenna for amplifying the received signals, a source of radio frequency signals at a telemetry frequency, a controllable gain amplifier connected to receive said telemetry frequency signals, a differential amplifier having its output connected to the gain control terminal of said controllable gain amplifier and having inputs respectively responsive to the outputs of said linear and controllable gain amplifiers to effectively compare said last mentioned outputs and provide a voltage at said terminal in accordance with any difference therebetween, whereby said telemetry frequency signals are modulated in accordance with said received signals, a transmitting antenna connected to transmit the modulated signals to said station, and a converter at said station to convert saiD modulated signals to the frequency band of said received signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
Apparatus for receiving radio frequency signals at an object to be located, retransmitting said signals from said object to a remote signal-processing station, and converting said signals at said station into a form processable to locate said object, comprising an antenna at said object for receiving said signals, a linear radio frequency amplifier connected to said antenna for amplifying the received signals, a source of radio frequency signals at a telemetry frequency, a controllable gain amplifier connected to receive said telemetry frequency signals, a differential amplifier having its output connected to the gain control terminal of said controllable gain amplifier and having inputs respectively responsive to the outputs of said linear and controllable gain amplifiers to effectively compare said last mentioned outputs and provide a voltage at said terminal in accordance with any difference therebetween, whereby said telemetry frequency signals are modulated in accordance with said received signals, a transmitting antenna connected to transmit the modulated signals to said station, and a converter at said station to convert saiD modulated signals to the frequency band of said received signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 1 for use with radio frequency signals having a repetition rate, further comprising automatic gain control circuitry responsive to the output of said linear amplifier to narrow the dynamic range of said output, said circuitry being operative to vary the gain of said linear amplifier at a rate slower than said repetition rate, to avoid distortion within a single burst of said received signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said source comprises a crystal oscillator.