US4613867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Passive ranging of an airborne emitter by a single non-maneuvering or stationary sensor
Assignee: Grumman Corp
•
Filing: 1984-01-09
•
Granted: 1986-09-23
•
Expires: 2004-01-09
Abstract
Abstract A method for passively determining the range of a target vehicle relative to a non-cooperating moving test platform is disclosed. The method includes the steps of moving the test platform along a single linear path at a constant speed, while simultaneously performing a succession of bearing and frequency measurements on a radiant signal emitted by the moving target vehicle. Similarly, the test platform may remain stationary so that its velocity is zero. The measured parameters, along with knowledge of the test platform's own position and velocity, permit the range to the emitter, its velocity and its transmitted frequency to be determined.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin Golinsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S11/00; G01S11/02; G01S11/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of passively determining the range to a moving target from a single test platform, said method comprising the steps of traveling at a constant velocity a course in the test platform which is straight; detecting at said platform the presence of an energy signal radiating from the target, and sampling said energy signal at three discrete times; generating for each of said energy signal samples a first detection signal responsive to its angle of arrival at said platform, and a second detection signal responsive to its frequency on arrival at said platform; storing said detection signals; determining the range to said target utilizing said stored detection signals and said test platform velocity and position; and generating a target indication signal representative of the range of said target.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of passively determining the range to a moving target from a single test platform, said method comprising the steps of traveling at a constant velocity a course in the test platform which is straight; detecting at said platform the presence of an energy signal radiating from the target, and sampling said energy signal at three discrete times; generating for each of said energy signal samples a first detection signal responsive to its angle of arrival at said platform, and a second detection signal responsive to its frequency on arrival at said platform; storing said detection signals; determining the range to said target utilizing said stored detection signals and said test platform velocity and position; and generating a target indication signal representative of the range of said target.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of determining the range to the target comprises calculating the transmission frequency of said energy supply; calculating an angle between a bearing line to said target and the course of said target at a first of said discrete sample times utilizing said transmission frequency; calculating the velocity of said target utilizing said calculated angle; and determining the range to said target utilizing said calculated angle and said target velocity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said test platform is stationary so that its velocity is equal to zero.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said transmission frequency of said energy signal is known, and wherein said energy signal is, therefore, sampled at only two discrete times.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said test platform and said target are at essentially the same altitude, and wherein both are flying horizontally.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of sampling comprises receiving a continuously generated energy signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of sampling comprises receiving pulsed energy signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of sampling comprises receiving a continuously generated radar signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of sampling comprises receiving a pulsed radar signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of sampling comprises receiving a continuously generated energy signal of the class of signals consisting of optical frequency signals and sonic signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of sampling comprises receiving a pulsed energy signal of the class of energy signals consisting of optical frequency signals and sonic signals.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of passively determining the range to a moving airborne target from a single test aircraft, said method comprising the steps of traversing a linear path in the test aircraft at a constant velocity; sampling at said test aircraft a radio signal emitted by the target at three discrete times; generating for each of said samples a first detection signal responsive to its angle of arrival at said test aircraft, and a second detection signal responsive to its frequency on arrival at said test aircraft; determining the range to said airborne target utilizing said first and second detection signals and said test aircraft velocity; and generating a target indication signal representative of the range to said target.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of passively determining the range to a moving airborne target from a single test aircraft, said method comprising the steps of traversing a linear path in the test aircraft at a constant velocity; sampling at said test aircraft a radio signal emitted by the target at three discrete times; generating for each of said samples a first detection signal responsive to its angle of arrival at said test aircraft, and a second detection signal responsive to its frequency on arrival at said test aircraft; determining the range to said airborne target utilizing said first and second detection signals and said test aircraft velocity; and generating a target indication signal representative of the range to said target.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 12, wherein said transmission frequency of said radio signal is known, and wherein said radio signal is, therefore, sampled at only two discrete times.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 12, wherein said test aircraft is stationary so that its velocity is equal to zero.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 12, wherein said test aircraft and said airborne target are at essentially the same altitude, and wherein both are flying horizontally.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of passively determining the range to a target from a test platform, said method comprising the steps of traveling at a constant velocity a course in the test platform which is straight; detecting at said platform the presence of an energy signal radiating from the target, and sampling said energy signal at three discrete times; generating for each of said energy signal samples a first detection signal responsive to its angle of arrival at said platform, and a second detection signal responsive to its frequency on arrival at said platform; storing said detection signals; determining the range to said target utilizing said stored detection signals and said test platform velocity and position, including calculating the transmission frequency of said energy signal, calculating an angle between a bearing line to said target and the course of said target at a first of said discrete sample times utilizing said transmission frequency, calculating the velocity of said target utilizing said calculated angle, and determining the range to said target utilizing said calculated angle and said target velocity; and generating a target indication signal representative of the range of said target.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of passively determining the range to a target from a test platform, said method comprising the steps of traveling at a constant velocity a course in the test platform which is straight; detecting at said platform the presence of an energy signal radiating from the target, and sampling said energy signal at three discrete times; generating for each of said energy signal samples a first detection signal responsive to its angle of arrival at said platform, and a second detection signal responsive to its frequency on arrival at said platform; storing said detection signals; determining the range to said target utilizing said stored detection signals and said test platform velocity and position, including calculating the transmission frequency of said energy signal, calculating an angle between a bearing line to said target and the course of said target at a first of said discrete sample times utilizing said transmission frequency, calculating the velocity of said target utilizing said calculated angle, and determining the range to said target utilizing said calculated angle and said target velocity; and generating a target indication signal representative of the range of said target.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 16, wherein said test platform is stationary so that its velocity is equal to zero.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 16, wherein said transmission frequency of said energy signal is known, and wherein said energy signal is, therefore, sampled at only two discrete times.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 16, wherein said test platform and said target are at essentially the same altitude, and wherein both are flying horizontally.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 16, wherein the step of sampling comprises receiving a continuously generated energy signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 16, wherein the step of sampling comprises receiving pulsed energy signals.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 16, wherein the step of sampling comprises receiving a continuously generated radar signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the step of sampling comprises receiving a pulsed radar signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the step of sampling comprises receiving a continuously generated energy signal of the class of signals consisting of optical frequency signals and sonic signals.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the step of sampling comprises receiving a pulsed energy signal of the class of energy signals consisting of optical frequency signals and sonic signals.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of passively determining the range to an airborne target from a test aircraft, said method comprising the steps of traversing a linear path in the test aircraft at a constant velocity; sampling at said test aircraft a radio signal emitted by the target at three discrete times; generating for each of said samples a first detection signal responsive to its angle of arrival at said test aircraft, and a second detection signal responsive to its frequency on arrival at said test aircraft; determining the range to said airborne target utilizing said first and second detection signals and said test aircraft velocity, including calculating the transmission frequency of said energy signal, calculating an angle between a bearing line to said target and the course of said target at a first of said discrete sample times utilizing said transmission frequency, calculating the velocity of said target utilizing said calculated angle, and determining the range to said target utilizing said calculated angle and said target velocity; and generating a target indication signal representative of the range to said target.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of passively determining the range to an airborne target from a test aircraft, said method comprising the steps of traversing a linear path in the test aircraft at a constant velocity; sampling at said test aircraft a radio signal emitted by the target at three discrete times; generating for each of said samples a first detection signal responsive to its angle of arrival at said test aircraft, and a second detection signal responsive to its frequency on arrival at said test aircraft; determining the range to said airborne target utilizing said first and second detection signals and said test aircraft velocity, including calculating the transmission frequency of said energy signal, calculating an angle between a bearing line to said target and the course of said target at a first of said discrete sample times utilizing said transmission frequency, calculating the velocity of said target utilizing said calculated angle, and determining the range to said target utilizing said calculated angle and said target velocity; and generating a target indication signal representative of the range to said target.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 26, wherein said transmission frequency of said radio signal is known, and wherein said radio signal is, therefore, sampled at only two discrete times.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 26, wherein said test aircraft is stationary so that its velocity is equal to zero.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 26, wherein said test aircraft and said airborne target are at essentially the same altitude, and wherein both are flying horizontally.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of determining the velocity of said target and determining the frequency transmitted from said target.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2922572A
Cited
US3029426A
Cited
US2940076A
Cited
US3141167A
Cited
US3304409A
Cited
US3982246A
Cited
US3172108A
Cited
US3906189A
Cited
US3378842A
Cited
US3873984A
Cited
US3789410A
Cited
US3863257A
Cited
US3842419A
Cited
US4060809A
Cited
US4179697A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-09-22 | 1990-03-24 | 1990-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-22 | 1994-03-24 | 1994-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-22 | 1998-03-24 | 1998-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |