US3859658A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conical scan tracking system
Assignee: TDK Micronas GmbH
•
Filing: 1972-10-16
•
Granted: 1975-01-07
•
Expires: 1992-10-16
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed herein a conical scan tracking system to track an energy source wherein the speed of nutation is controlled in a pseudorandom manner rather than in a constant manner as in the prior art to eliminate false antenna pointing errors caused by incidental or deliberate amplitude modulation at the constant nutation or scan frequency of the energy received from the source being tracked.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald Rabow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/02; G01S13/06; G01S13/42; G01S13/422; G01S3/00; G01S3/02; G01S3/14; G01S3/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A system to track a source of energy comprising: an antenna having a given radiation pattern in communication with said source to receive energy from said source; a pseudo-random code generator to produce a pseudo-random code signal; a nutating motor; a first source of voltage having a first given magnitude; a second source of voltage having a second given magnitude greater than said first given magnitude; switch means coupled to said nutating motor, said code generator and said first and second sources of voltage, said switch means coupling said voltages of said first and second sources to said motor in response to said pseudo-random code signal produced by said generator to control the speed of said nutating motor in a pseudo-random manner and thereby nutate said radiation pattern about a given axis at a pseudo-random rate; first means coupled to said antenna to detect amplitude modulation of said energy, said amplitude modulation being at said pseudo-random rate when there is a pointing error between said given axis and said source; and second means coupled to said nutating motor and said first means to compare the phase of said amplitude modulation of said energy with the phase of said nutation and to produce a signal proportional to the direction and magnitude of said pointing error.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
214 words
A system to track a source of energy comprising: an antenna having a given radiation pattern in communication with said source to receive energy from said source; a pseudo-random code generator to produce a pseudo-random code signal; a nutating motor; a first source of voltage having a first given magnitude; a second source of voltage having a second given magnitude greater than said first given magnitude; switch means coupled to said nutating motor, said code generator and said first and second sources of voltage, said switch means coupling said voltages of said first and second sources to said motor in response to said pseudo-random code signal produced by said generator to control the speed of said nutating motor in a pseudo-random manner and thereby nutate said radiation pattern about a given axis at a pseudo-random rate; first means coupled to said antenna to detect amplitude modulation of said energy, said amplitude modulation being at said pseudo-random rate when there is a pointing error between said given axis and said source; and second means coupled to said nutating motor and said first means to compare the phase of said amplitude modulation of said energy with the phase of said nutation and to produce a signal proportional to the direction and magnitude of said pointing error.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said source includes a satellite having beacon transmitter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said source includes a satellite reflecting radiant energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second magnitudes each have a value that will advance or retard said nutation 90* at the end of a given time interval with respect to a nutation motor running at a constant speed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 1, further including third means coupled to said second means and said antenna responsive to said signal to drive said antenna to null said pointing error.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |