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US4083009A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

High reliability diversity communications system

Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1976-06-04
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Granted: 1978-04-04
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Expires: 1996-06-04
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Abstract

Abstract An improved reliability microwave communications system combining discrete state modulation with diversity transmission and reception. Signals are transmitted and received in both horizontal and vertical antenna polarization using QPSK modulation techniques in the preferred embodiment. At the receiving terminal the received signal with the best quality as determined by predetermined receiver parameters is selected as the output data stream. Switching between received signals is accomplished using a hitless switch such that no data is lost when switching between received data streams. Redundant switching and transmitting circuitry may also be provided to further increase the reliability of the system.

Inventors

  • 👤 William J. Bickford
  • 👤 William L. Hatton
  • 👤 Colin J. Pallemaerts
  • 👤 Paul J. Tanzi
  • 👤 Carson K. H. Tsao

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 11:20
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/02; H04B7/10; H04L; H04L1/00; H04L1/02; H04L27/00; H04L27/18; H04L27/20; H04L27/2032; H04L27/2053; H04L27/206; H04L27/2067; H04L27/2071; H04L7/00; H04L7/02; H04L7/033

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim 119 words
In combinaton: a plurality of diversity receiving means for receiving transmitted digital signals, each of said transmitted signals comprising a local timing signal, each of said transmitted signals being received by a separate one of said receiving means; means for producing a composite timing signal from the received local timing signals; and means for coupling a selected one of said diversity receiving means to utilizing means, selection of the said selected one of said receiving means occurring without loss of data to said utilizing means, said selection occurring in synchronism with a composite timing signal, transitions of said composite timing signal occurring at the average of the transition times of local timing signals at each of said receiving means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 119 words
In combinaton: a plurality of diversity receiving means for receiving transmitted digital signals, each of said transmitted signals comprising a local timing signal, each of said transmitted signals being received by a separate one of said receiving means; means for producing a composite timing signal from the received local timing signals; and means for coupling a selected one of said diversity receiving means to utilizing means, selection of the said selected one of said receiving means occurring without loss of data to said utilizing means, said selection occurring in synchronism with a composite timing signal, transitions of said composite timing signal occurring at the average of the transition times of local timing signals at each of said receiving means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 19 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said coupling means comprises switch means coupled to outputs of said receiving means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said switch means operates in response to control means coupled to said receiving means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 22 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein said control means operates in response to a signal level in each of said receiving means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said control means further operates in response to the bit error rate in each of said receiving means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 20 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said switch means is inhibited from coupling inoperative receiving means to said utilizing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 109 words
In combination: a plurality of means for receiving signals, said signals being modulated with digital data, each of said receiving means having an output for said digital data; means coupled to each of said receiving means for generating a local timing signal from said digital data; means for producing a composite timing signal from said local timing signals, said composite timing signals having edge transitions substantially at the average time of the edge transitions of said local timing signals; and means for coupling a selected one of said outputs of said receiving means to utilizing means, data to said utilizing means being in synchronism with said composite timing signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 109 words
In combination: a plurality of means for receiving signals, said signals being modulated with digital data, each of said receiving means having an output for said digital data; means coupled to each of said receiving means for generating a local timing signal from said digital data; means for producing a composite timing signal from said local timing signals, said composite timing signals having edge transitions substantially at the average time of the edge transitions of said local timing signals; and means for coupling a selected one of said outputs of said receiving means to utilizing means, data to said utilizing means being in synchronism with said composite timing signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 19 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein said receiving means comprises two or more antennas spacially separated from one another.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 22 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said coupling means operates in response to one or more signal characteristics in said receiving means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 18 words
The combination of claim 9 wherein said signal characteristics comprise automatic gain control voltage and bit error rate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 13 words
The combination of claim 10 wherein said coupling means comprises electronic switch means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 96 words
A diversity receiver comprising in combination: a plurality of means for receiving digitally modulated microwave signals; means for producing a local timing signal for each of said receiving means; means for coupling a selected one of said receiving means to utilizing means in accordance with preselected signal characteristics in said receiving means; means for producing a composite timing signal from said local timing signals, said composite timing signals having transitions substantially at the average time of transitions of said local timing signals; and means for synchronizing data to said utilizing means with said composite timing signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 96 words
A diversity receiver comprising in combination: a plurality of means for receiving digitally modulated microwave signals; means for producing a local timing signal for each of said receiving means; means for coupling a selected one of said receiving means to utilizing means in accordance with preselected signal characteristics in said receiving means; means for producing a composite timing signal from said local timing signals, said composite timing signals having transitions substantially at the average time of transitions of said local timing signals; and means for synchronizing data to said utilizing means with said composite timing signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 92 words
In combination: a plurality of diversity receiving means; and switch means coupled to outputs of said diversity receiving means for coupling a selected one of said diversity receiving means to utilizing means, selection of said selected one of said receiving means occurring without loss of data to said utilizing means, said switch means operating in response to control means coupled to said receiving means, said control means operating in response to a signal level in each of said receiving means and to the bit error rate in each of said receiving means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 92 words
In combination: a plurality of diversity receiving means; and switch means coupled to outputs of said diversity receiving means for coupling a selected one of said diversity receiving means to utilizing means, selection of said selected one of said receiving means occurring without loss of data to said utilizing means, said switch means operating in response to control means coupled to said receiving means, said control means operating in response to a signal level in each of said receiving means and to the bit error rate in each of said receiving means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 20 words
The combination of claim 13 wherein said switch means is inhibited from coupling inoperative receiving means to said utilizing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 125 words
In combination: two or more antennas, said antennas being spatially separated from one another; a plurality of means for receiving signals coupled to said antenna means, said signals being modulated with digital data, each of said receiving means having an output for said digital data; means coupled to each of said receiving means for generating a local timing signal from said digital data; means for producing a composite timing signal from said local timing signals; and means for coupling a selected one of said outputs of said receiving means to utilizing means, data to said utilizing means being in synchronism with said composite timing signal, said coupling means operating in response to an automatic gain control voltage and bit error rate in said receiving means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 125 words
In combination: two or more antennas, said antennas being spatially separated from one another; a plurality of means for receiving signals coupled to said antenna means, said signals being modulated with digital data, each of said receiving means having an output for said digital data; means coupled to each of said receiving means for generating a local timing signal from said digital data; means for producing a composite timing signal from said local timing signals; and means for coupling a selected one of said outputs of said receiving means to utilizing means, data to said utilizing means being in synchronism with said composite timing signal, said coupling means operating in response to an automatic gain control voltage and bit error rate in said receiving means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 125 words
In combination: two or more antenna means, said antenna means being separated from one another; a plurality of means for receiving signals coupled to said antenna means, said signals being modulated with digital data, each of said receiving means having an output for said digital data; means coupled to each of said receiving means for generating a local timing signal from said digital data; means for producing a composite timing signal from said local timing signals, said composite timing signal having edge transitions at the average time of edge transitions of said local timing signals; and means for coupling a selected one of said outputs of said receiving means to utilizing means, data to said utilizing means being in synchronism with said composite timing signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 125 words
In combination: two or more antenna means, said antenna means being separated from one another; a plurality of means for receiving signals coupled to said antenna means, said signals being modulated with digital data, each of said receiving means having an output for said digital data; means coupled to each of said receiving means for generating a local timing signal from said digital data; means for producing a composite timing signal from said local timing signals, said composite timing signal having edge transitions at the average time of edge transitions of said local timing signals; and means for coupling a selected one of said outputs of said receiving means to utilizing means, data to said utilizing means being in synchronism with said composite timing signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 13 words
The combination of claim 16 wherein said coupling means comprises electronic switch means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3213370A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1981-04-03 1981-10-03 1982-04-04 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1985-04-03 1985-10-03 1986-04-04 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1989-04-03 1989-10-03 1990-04-04 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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