Angle diversity communication system

Claim 2

A communication system for receiving space-propagated electromagnetic waves subject to fading comprising: first and second receiver antenna means cooperating with unitary electromagnetic wave collimator means for forming first and second respective signals within said first and second receiver antenna means, hybrid network means having at least first and second output port means and responsive to said first and second respective signals for forming a sum signal at said first output port means only and a difference signal at said second output port means only, diversity signal translator means responsive only to the largest in amplitude of said respective sum or difference signals for producing a translator output, and utilization means responsive to said diversity signal translator means output.

Claim 3

Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said first and second receiver antenna means are spaced symmetrically at the focal region of unitary collimator means for collimating said space-propagated electromagnetic waves.

Claim 4

Apparatus as described in claim 1 further including between said sum output port means and said diversity signal translator means and between said difference output port means and said diversity signal translator means respective first and second substantially similar signal converter means each comprising in series relation: mixer means for forming an intermediate frequency signal, and detector means for detecting said intermediate frequency signal for providing an output signal substantially proportional in amplitude to the amplitude of said intermediate frequency signal.

Claim 5

A communication system for receiving space-propagated electromagnetic waves subject to fading comprising: first and second receiver antenna means cooperating with unitary electromagnetic wave collimator means for forming first and second respective signals within said first and second receiver antenna means, first hybrid network means having first and second output port means and responsive to said first and second respective signals for forming a first sum signal at said first output port means only and a first difference signal at said second output port means only, second hybrid network means having third and fourth output port means and responsive to said first and second respective signals for forming a second sum signal at said third output port means and a second difference signal at said fourth output port means, diversity signal translator means responsive only to the largest in amplitude of said respective first or second sum or first or second difference signals for producing a translator output, and utilization means responsive to said diversity signal translator means output.

Claim 6

A communication system for receiving space-propagated electromagnetic waves subject to fading comprising: first and second receiver antenna means cooperating with unitary electromagnetic wave collimator means for forming first and second respective signals within said first and second receiver antenna means, first hybrid network means having first and second output port means and responsive to said first and second respective signals for forming a first sum signal at said first output port means only and a first difference signal at said second output port means only, second hybrid network means having third and fourth output port means and responsive to said first and second respective signals for forming a second sum signal at said third output port means and a second difference signal at said fourth output port means, diversity signal translator means responsive only to the largest in amplitude of said respective first or second sum or first or second difference signals for producing a translator output, and utilization means responsive to said diversity signal translator means output.

Claim 7

Apparatus as described in claim 4 further including between said first receiver antenna means and said first hybrid network means and said second receiver antenna means and said second hybrid network means respective substantially similar third and fourth signal converter means each comprising in series relation: mixer means for forming an intermediate frequency signal, and power divider means responsive to said mixer means.

Claim 8

Apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein said signal diversity translator means is responsive to said sum or difference output port means of said first or second four-port hybrid network means.

Claim 9

A communication system for receiving space-propagated electromagnetic waves subject to fading comprising: first and second receiver antenna means for receiving said waves and forming first and second discrete signals, first and second mixer means respectively responsive to said first and second discrete signals for forming first and second intermediate frequency signals, first and second power divider means respectively responsive to said first and second mixer means, first and second four-port hybrid network means responsive to said first and second power divider means for developing, at said four separate hybrid network output port means, respective first and second sum and first and second difference signals, first and second phase shifter means respectively series coupled between the first of said power divider means and said first and second four-port hybrid networks means, diversity signal translator means responsive only to the largest in amplitude of said first or second sum or first or second difference signals for producing an output, and utilization means responsive to said diversity signal translator means output.

Claim 10

A communication system for receiving space-propagated electromagnetic waves subject to fading comprising: first and second receiver antenna means for receiving said waves and forming first and second discrete signals, first and second mixer means respectively responsive to said first and second discrete signals for forming first and second intermediate frequency signals, first and second power divider means respectively responsive to said first and second mixer means, first and second four-port hybrid network means responsive to said first and second power divider means for developing, at said four separate hybrid network output port means, respective first and second sum and first and second difference signals, first and second phase shifter means respectively series coupled between the first of said power divider means and said first and second four-port hybrid networks means, diversity signal translator means responsive only to the largest in amplitude of said first or second sum or first or second difference signals for producing an output, and utilization means responsive to said diversity signal translator means output.

Claim 11

Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said diversity signal translator means passes the largest in amplitude of the signals at said sum or difference output port means of said first and second four-port hybrid network means to said utilization means.

Claim 12

Apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein said diversity signal translator means holds constant the phase shift of the one of said first or second phase shifter means through which said largest in amplitude signal is passing.

Claim 13

Apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said diversity signal translator means changes the phase shift of the one of said first or second phase shifter means through which signals are passing of amplitude lesser than said largest in amplitude signal.

Claim 14

Apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein said diversity signal translator means includes plural channel means each comprising: limiter means, frequency modulation discriminator means responsive to said limiter means, and gate means responsive to said discriminator means for passing a version of said largest in amplitude signal to said utilization means.

Claim 15

Apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said diversity signal translator means includes respective plural circuit means branching from the respective inputs of said limiter means of said respective plural channel means for controlling said gate means.

Claim 16

Apparatus as described in claim 12 wherein said plural circuit means includes means for detection of the amplitudes of said sum or difference signals.

Claim 17

Apparatus as described in claim 13, wherein said plural circuit means includes a plurality of comparator means for selecting the largest in amplitude of said sum or difference signals for controlling said gate means.

Claim 18

Apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein said plural circuit means includes a plurality of comparator means for selecting and changing the phase shift of the one of said first or second phase shift means through which signals are passing of amplitude lesser than said largest in amplitude signal.