US3739378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radio tracking system
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corp
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Filing: 1971-06-14
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1991-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A tracking system suitable for tracking a target from a command station includes a transponder on the target which transmits signals in response to signals received from a command control transmitter at the command station. The signals transmitted by the transponder are received by a receiver at the command station and a target range signal is developed in accordance with the time interval between the signal transmitted by the command control transmitter and that received by the receiver. The azimuth of the target is determined by means of a servo-control system which automatically locks the receiver antenna onto the target. Signals in accordance with target range and azimuth are processed in a position computer, the output of which is fed to an X-Y plotter which provides a continuous positional plot of the target.
Inventors
- 👤 R Botzum
- 👤 D Peck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/66
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
299 words
A system for tracking and plotting the position of an airborne vehicle from a command station comprising: a control transmitter at said command station for generating radio signals, tone oscillator means for providing a modulation signal for said radio signals, antenna means at said station for radiating said radio signals, antenna means on said vehicle for receiving the signals radiated from said station, transponder means on said vehicle including a receiver for detecting the signals from said vehicle antenna means and a radio transmitter for instantaneously retransmitting the detected signals, said retransmitted signals being radiated by said vehicle antenna means, directive antenna means at said command station for receiving the signals radiated by said vehicle antenna means, receiver means at said command station for detecting the signals received by the directive antenna means, servo control means responsive to the output of said receiver means for slewing the directive antenna means so as to maintain azimuthal lock on with said vehicle, position computer means responsive to the output of said receiver means for generating a signal in accordance with the vehicle range from the command station comprising a bistable multivibrator, said multivibrator being driven to a first state in response to the leading edge of the local range tone oscillator output and to a second state by the leading edge of the tone signal demodulated from the output of said receiver means, said multivibrator generating a pulse having a width in accordance with vehicle range, said position computer means further receiving a signal from said servo-control means in accordance with the azimuth of said vehicle from the command station, said computer means further including means for multiplying the range and azimuth signals, and plotting means responsive to the output of said computer means for plotting the position of the target.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
299 words
A system for tracking and plotting the position of an airborne vehicle from a command station comprising: a control transmitter at said command station for generating radio signals, tone oscillator means for providing a modulation signal for said radio signals, antenna means at said station for radiating said radio signals, antenna means on said vehicle for receiving the signals radiated from said station, transponder means on said vehicle including a receiver for detecting the signals from said vehicle antenna means and a radio transmitter for instantaneously retransmitting the detected signals, said retransmitted signals being radiated by said vehicle antenna means, directive antenna means at said command station for receiving the signals radiated by said vehicle antenna means, receiver means at said command station for detecting the signals received by the directive antenna means, servo control means responsive to the output of said receiver means for slewing the directive antenna means so as to maintain azimuthal lock on with said vehicle, position computer means responsive to the output of said receiver means for generating a signal in accordance with the vehicle range from the command station comprising a bistable multivibrator, said multivibrator being driven to a first state in response to the leading edge of the local range tone oscillator output and to a second state by the leading edge of the tone signal demodulated from the output of said receiver means, said multivibrator generating a pulse having a width in accordance with vehicle range, said position computer means further receiving a signal from said servo-control means in accordance with the azimuth of said vehicle from the command station, said computer means further including means for multiplying the range and azimuth signals, and plotting means responsive to the output of said computer means for plotting the position of the target.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the means for multiplying the range and azimuth signals comprises a potentiometer having a fixed resistance element and a pair of quadrature related wiper arms electrically engaging said fixed element, the range signal being coupled to the fixed element, signal from said servo control means mechanically driving said arms in accordance with the slewing of the directive antenna means, said plotting means receiving signals in X-Y coordinates from the potentiometer arms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said range signal is coupled to the fixed element of said potentiometer between points therealong representing the 0* and 180* azimuthal positions, the 90* and 270* azimuthal points along said fixed element being connected together and fed to said plotter as a common return for the signals fed thereto from the potentiometer arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 1 and further including altitude sensor means on said vehicle for generating a signal in accordance with vehicle altitude means for modulating the signals transmitted by the transponder with the vehicle altitude signal, and means at said command station for detecting and providing a readout of said vehicle altitude signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 and further including means for integrating the multivibrator pulse to provide a DC signal in accordance with vehicle range.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 and further including means for calibrating the range operation of said computer means including means for adjusting the phase of the local range tone oscillator output fed to said multivibrator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
235 words
In a system for tracking and plotting the position of an airborne vehicle from a command station, said system comprising control transmitter means at said station for generating and transmitting radio signals, transponder means on the vehicle for receiving and immediately retransmitting signals received from said control transmitter, directive antenna means at said station for receiving the retransmitted signals, receiver means for detecting the signals received by said directive antenna means, servo means for automatically positioning the directive antenna means so as to maintain antenna lock-on with the vehicle and plotter means for plotting vehicle position, position computer means including: means responsive to the detector output of the receiver means for generating a DC signal in accordance with the range of the vehicle from the command station, and a potentiometer having a fixed resistance element and a pair of quadrature related wiper arms electrically engaging said fixed element, the DC range signal being coupled to the fixed element between points therealong representing 0* and 180* azimuthal positions, the 90* and 270* azimuthal points along said fixed element being connected together to provide a common return for the signals developed at said wiper arms, said servo means being connected to position said wiper arms in accordance with the position of the directive antenna means, the arms of said potentiometer and said common return being connected to said plotter to provide plotting signals thereto in X-Y coordinates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
235 words
In a system for tracking and plotting the position of an airborne vehicle from a command station, said system comprising control transmitter means at said station for generating and transmitting radio signals, transponder means on the vehicle for receiving and immediately retransmitting signals received from said control transmitter, directive antenna means at said station for receiving the retransmitted signals, receiver means for detecting the signals received by said directive antenna means, servo means for automatically positioning the directive antenna means so as to maintain antenna lock-on with the vehicle and plotter means for plotting vehicle position, position computer means including: means responsive to the detector output of the receiver means for generating a DC signal in accordance with the range of the vehicle from the command station, and a potentiometer having a fixed resistance element and a pair of quadrature related wiper arms electrically engaging said fixed element, the DC range signal being coupled to the fixed element between points therealong representing 0* and 180* azimuthal positions, the 90* and 270* azimuthal points along said fixed element being connected together to provide a common return for the signals developed at said wiper arms, said servo means being connected to position said wiper arms in accordance with the position of the directive antenna means, the arms of said potentiometer and said common return being connected to said plotter to provide plotting signals thereto in X-Y coordinates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said means for generating a DC signal in accordance with vehicle range includes a bistable multivibrator, means for driving said multivibrator to a first state in accordance with the phase of the signals transmitted by said control transmitter and to a second state in accordance with the signals detected by said receiver means, and means for integrating the pulse output of said multivibrator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said fixed resistance element is circular.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |