US3820119A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tracking and homing radar with digital register for the storage of distance information
Assignee: Thales SA
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Filing: 1972-10-19
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Granted: 1974-06-25
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Expires: 1992-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A system computing the distance of a reflecting object from the position of an echo pulse within a range gate or telemetering window includes, as the second one of two cascaded integrators, an incrementor for converting the output voltage of the first integrator into a train of counting pulses with a cadence proportional to speed, these counting pulses being fed to a distance register which is periodically discharged into a countdown register to provide a pulse count proportional to distance. The countdown register is progressively read out by clock pulses over a period beginning with the emission of a highfrequency burst by the radar transmitter and ending upon the attainment of a zero count, or possibly a negative count establishing the lower limit of a range gate, as determined by an associated decoder controlling the telemetering-window generator. The output voltage of the decoder may be used to ascertain, with the aid of a comparator receiving a fixed reference voltage, the instant when a craft equipped with the radar system approaches a target to within a critical distance whereupon the first integrator is disconnected from the radar receiver to operate as a speed memory on the basis of data previously stored therein; the decoder output then continues its decrease, by extrapolation, in accordance with the diminishing target distance until another comparator gives rise to a firing pulse detonating a charge aboard the craft.
Inventors
- 👤 G Vallas
- 👤 R Casse
- 👤 H Robin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/66; G01S13/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A tracking radar system comprising a telemetering-window generator, a discriminator receiving on a first input signals representative of the generated windows and on a second input a radar echo, an integrator following said discriminator and connected thereto, a counting register, and increment-generating means between said integrator and said register for delivering pulses to said register in correspondence with the increments generated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A tracking radar system comprising a telemetering-window generator, a discriminator receiving on a first input signals representative of the generated windows and on a second input a radar echo, an integrator following said discriminator and connected thereto, a counting register, and increment-generating means between said integrator and said register for delivering pulses to said register in correspondence with the increments generated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the increments generated are range increments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a pulse-generating clock, said integrator comprising an incrementor followed by a speed-increment register connected to said counting register by a multiplier receiving on a first input the output of the speed-increment register and on a second input the pulses delivered by said clock.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said register is a distance register, further comprising pulse-counting means between said register and said telemetering-window generator for controlling said generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said pulse-counting means comprise a countdown register connected to said distance register and a decoder connected between said countdown register and said telemetering-window generator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as defined in claim 5, further comprising a gate between said registers periodically triggered by a transfer pulse.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system according to claim 5, further comprising gate means in a reading input of said countdown register and a source of stepping pulses applied through said gate means to said reading input, said gate means being openable by periodic unblocking pulses and closable in response to an output signal delivered by said decoder to said generator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 7, including a radar receiver with an intermediate-frequency stage followed by a video stage, said unblocking pulses being derived from an emitted high-frequency burst by way of said intermediate-frequency and video stages.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein said decoder has a first output for establishing an upper range-gate limit for said generator in response to a predetermined positive count of said countdown register and a second output for establishing a lower range-gate limit for said generator in response to a predetermined negative count of said countdown register.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
138 words
An airborne homing system for a craft carrying an explosive charge, comprising: radar means for determining variations in the distance between the craft and a target; computer means including a memory initially connected to said radar means for establishing a progressively diminishing distance indication upon the craft approaching said target; a first comparator in the output of said computer means for generating a switching signal upon said distance indication assuming a first predetermined value; switchover means responsive to said switching signal for disconnecting said computer means from said radar means while preserving data stored in said memory to provide said distance indication independently of said radar means; and a second comparator in the output of said computer means for generating a firing pulse for the detonation of said charge upon said distance indication assuming a second predetermined value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
138 words
An airborne homing system for a craft carrying an explosive charge, comprising: radar means for determining variations in the distance between the craft and a target; computer means including a memory initially connected to said radar means for establishing a progressively diminishing distance indication upon the craft approaching said target; a first comparator in the output of said computer means for generating a switching signal upon said distance indication assuming a first predetermined value; switchover means responsive to said switching signal for disconnecting said computer means from said radar means while preserving data stored in said memory to provide said distance indication independently of said radar means; and a second comparator in the output of said computer means for generating a firing pulse for the detonation of said charge upon said distance indication assuming a second predetermined value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as defined in claim 10 wherein said memory comprises a first integrator receiving acceleration signals from said radar means, said computer means further comprising a second integrator connected to the output of said first integrator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
A system as defined in claim 11 wherein said radar means includes an emitter of high-frequency bursts, a discriminator receiving echo signals to generate said acceleration signals, a sawtooth-voltage generator triggerable by said bursts and comparison means connected to match an output voltage from said second integrator with the sawtooth voltage of said generator for delivering telemetering information to said discriminator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system as defined in claim 11 wherein said second integrator comprises an incrementor converting an output voltage from said first integrator into a train of counting pulses of a cadence proportional to relative target speed, a distance register receiving said counting pulses, storage means for said counting pulses, and transfer means for periodically discharging said distance register into said storage means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as defined in claim 13 wherein said radar means further includes a receiver of echo pulses, a range-gate generator controlled by said storage means, and a discriminator connected to receive the outputs of said receiver and said range-gate generator for deriving said acceleration signals therefrom.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as defined in claim 14 wherein said storage means comprises a countdown register and a source of stepping pulses therefor actuatable upon the emission of each high-frequency burst to progressively reduce the contents of said countdown Register to a predetermined minimum.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
134 words
A tracking radar system comprising: transmitting means for periodically sending out high-frequency bursts; receiving means for intercepting echoes of said bursts; computer means responsive to variations in the spacing of said bursts and said echoes for deriving therefrom a voltage proportional to the speed of a reflecting object relative to said transmitting and receiving means; an incrementor connected to said computer means for converting said voltage into a train of counting pulses of a cadence proportional thereto; a distance register connected to said incrementor for receiving said counting pulses therefrom; storage means for said counting pulses; transfer means for periodically discharging said distance register into said storage means in timed relationship with the emission of said bursts; and feedback means extending from said storage means to said computer means for modifying the operation thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
134 words
A tracking radar system comprising: transmitting means for periodically sending out high-frequency bursts; receiving means for intercepting echoes of said bursts; computer means responsive to variations in the spacing of said bursts and said echoes for deriving therefrom a voltage proportional to the speed of a reflecting object relative to said transmitting and receiving means; an incrementor connected to said computer means for converting said voltage into a train of counting pulses of a cadence proportional thereto; a distance register connected to said incrementor for receiving said counting pulses therefrom; storage means for said counting pulses; transfer means for periodically discharging said distance register into said storage means in timed relationship with the emission of said bursts; and feedback means extending from said storage means to said computer means for modifying the operation thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
59 words
A system as defined in claim 16 wherein said storage means comprises a countdown register and a source of stepping pulses therefor actuatable upon the emission of each high-frequency burst to progressively reduce the contents of said countdown register to a predetermined value, said feedback means transmitting to said computer means a corrective signal upon attainment of said value.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as defined in claim 17 wherein said feedback means includes a range-gate generator and a decoder in the output of said countdown register controlling said range-gate generator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
91 words
A system as defined in claim 18 wherein said decoder is provided with a first output for establishing an upper range-gate limit for said generator in response to a predetermined positive count of said countdown register, a second output for establishing a lower range-gate limit for said generator in response to a predetermined negative count of said countdown register, a third output responsive to a zero count of said countdown register, and bistable means controlled by said first, second and third outputs for establishing two adjoining telemetering windows in said generator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-24 | 1977-12-24 | 1978-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-24 | 1981-12-24 | 1982-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-24 | 1985-12-24 | 1986-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |