US3885241A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Doppler radio navigation beacon system adapted for angle determination using unmodified communication receiver
Assignee: International Standard Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1973-11-14
•
Granted: 1975-05-20
•
Expires: 1993-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A radio navigation beacon system including a commutated main beacon array and a reference array. The commutation of the main array produces a simulated Doppler signal at a remote receiving point. The Doppler frequency is a function of the remote station angle from a reference line related to the main array. The received signals at the remote station are capable of audible interpretation, based on establishment of a convenient audible tone. To provide this tone, a carrier of frequency f, and a single sideband f, + (or -) delta f removed by an audio frequency (e.g., 400 Hz) are radiated from the reference antenna. A beat on the order of 2 Hz is established by radiating from the commutated main array, a single sideband of f + (or -) delta f + (or -) Delta f ( Delta f being on the order of 2 Hz). The number of audible beats may be counted (within a predetermined period) thereby to convey angle information to the remote station via an unmodified communication receiver.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis Giles Overbury
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:42
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S1/00; G01S1/02; G01S1/08; G01S1/38; G01S1/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A Doppler radio navigation beacon for radiation of signals adapted to be processed by a remote station for angle determination, comprising: first means for radiating radio-frequency energy including a first frequency component and a second frequency component differing from said first component by an audio frequency delta f and second means for radiating energy at a third frequency differing from said second frequency by a sub-audio frequency Delta f, said second means including a multi-element linear array and third means for commutating said array such that each element thereof radiates discretely and successively according to a predetermined order.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A Doppler radio navigation beacon for radiation of signals adapted to be processed by a remote station for angle determination, comprising: first means for radiating radio-frequency energy including a first frequency component and a second frequency component differing from said first component by an audio frequency delta f and second means for radiating energy at a third frequency differing from said second frequency by a sub-audio frequency Delta f, said second means including a multi-element linear array and third means for commutating said array such that each element thereof radiates discretely and successively according to a predetermined order.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said linear array elements are uniformly spaced and said commutation is unidirectional.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said linear array elements are uniformly spaced and said commutation is bidirectional along said array, including a frequency source for producing said first and third frequencies, and including a first single sideband generator responsive to said first frequency to add said second frequency thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
A radio navigation beacon comprising: first means for radiating radio-fRequency energy of a first frequency and a second frequency differing from said first frequency by delta f where delta f is an audio frequency; and second means for simulating constant velocity linear scanning motion of a radiating source of radio-frequency energy of a third frequency differing from said second frequency by Delta f, where Delta f is a sub-audio frequency.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
A radio navigation beacon comprising: first means for radiating radio-fRequency energy of a first frequency and a second frequency differing from said first frequency by delta f where delta f is an audio frequency; and second means for simulating constant velocity linear scanning motion of a radiating source of radio-frequency energy of a third frequency differing from said second frequency by Delta f, where Delta f is a sub-audio frequency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A beacon as defined in claim 4 in which said first means comprises a single radiating element, and said second means comprises a linear array of equally spaced radiator and means for commutating said third frequency unidirectionally along said array.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A beacon as defined in claim 4 in which said first means comprises a single radiating element and said second means comprises a linear array of equally spaced radiators, means for commutating said third frequency bidirectionally along said array and means for changing the sign of Delta f at each half period of commutation of the array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
111 words
A beacon as defined in claim 4 in which said first means comprises a first linear array of equally spaced aerials and means for commutating said first and second frequencies unidirectionally along said array, and in which said second means comprises a second linear array of equally spaced radiators spaced from one another by a distance equal to the overall length of the first array and means for commutating said third frequency unidirectionally along said second array, the first and second frequencies being commutated along said first array during energisation of each of said second array aerials by said third frequency and commutation of the two arrays being in opposite directions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
149 words
A beacon as defined in claim 4 in which said first means comprises a first linear array of equally spaced aerials, means for commutating said first and second frequencies bidirectionally along said first array, and means for changing the sign of delta f at each half period of commutation of said first array, and in which said second means comprises a second linear array of equally spaced elements spaced from one another by a distance equal to the overall length of said first array, means for commutating said third frequency bidirectionally along said second array, and means for changing the sign of Delta f at each half period of commutation of the second array, the first and second frequencies being commutated bidirectionally along said first array during energisation of each of said second array aerials by said third frequency and commutation to the two arrays being in opposite directions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
A beacon as claimed in claim 7 in which the nearest adjacent element of the first array is spaced by a small distance down to zero, as compared to the end element of the array, and in which the second frequency and the third frequency have relative phases selected from 0* and 180* possibilities at a time corresponding to an end of the commutation period.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3728729A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |