US5790438A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radio navigation testing method and device using standard signal measuring and generating equipment
Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
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Filing: 1996-12-04
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Granted: 1998-08-04
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Expires: 2016-12-04
Abstract
Abstract For the testing of radio navigation instruments by means of an automatic testing system controlling electric signal measuring and generating equipment, said instruments using radio navigation signals comprised of complex-shaped composite low-frequency signals modulating a high-frequency carrier wave, the method embodying the invention comprises the utilisation of standard signal generating equipment (11, 13, 14, 15) to generate primary low-frequency signals and a high-frequency carrier wave, the combining of these primary signals to obtain said composite low-frequency signals, and the modulation of the high-frequency carrier wave by the composite signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Paul Simonnet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/2832; G01R31/2834; G01S; G01S1/00; G01S1/02; G01S1/022; G01S1/08; G01S1/44; G01S1/46; G01S1/48; G01S1/50; G01S13/00; G01S13/74; G01S13/76; G01S13/78; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/41; G01S7/411
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
In an automatic testing system comprising a computer driving measuring and generating devices for measuring and generating electric signals, said generating devices being of standard type and each comprising a control interface to be controlled by said computer for respectively generating signals of predetermined shapes, a signal combining device for testing any type of radio navigation equipment using radio navigation signals formed by composite low-frequency signals of complex shape which modulate a high-frequency carrier wave, said signal combining device comprising: first connection means connected to inputs and outputs of said generating devices and to a radio navigation equipment under test, first switching means for selecting outputs of said generating devices, in order to select low-frequency signals and a high frequency wave, combining means for combining with one another signals produced at the selected outputs of said generating devices, in order to combine said low-frequency signals so as to produce a low-frequency signal of complex shape and to modulate said high frequency wave with said low-frequency signal of complex shape, selecting means for applying said high frequency wave modulated by said low-frequency signal of complex shape to a selected input of said radio navigation equipment under test, and a control interface controlled by said computer for controlling said switching means, said selecting means and said combining means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
In an automatic testing system comprising a computer driving measuring and generating devices for measuring and generating electric signals, said generating devices being of standard type and each comprising a control interface to be controlled by said computer for respectively generating signals of predetermined shapes, a signal combining device for testing any type of radio navigation equipment using radio navigation signals formed by composite low-frequency signals of complex shape which modulate a high-frequency carrier wave, said signal combining device comprising: first connection means connected to inputs and outputs of said generating devices and to a radio navigation equipment under test, first switching means for selecting outputs of said generating devices, in order to select low-frequency signals and a high frequency wave, combining means for combining with one another signals produced at the selected outputs of said generating devices, in order to combine said low-frequency signals so as to produce a low-frequency signal of complex shape and to modulate said high frequency wave with said low-frequency signal of complex shape, selecting means for applying said high frequency wave modulated by said low-frequency signal of complex shape to a selected input of said radio navigation equipment under test, and a control interface controlled by said computer for controlling said switching means, said selecting means and said combining means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
The signal combining device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said measuring devices are of standard type and each comprising a control interface to be controlled by said computer for respectively measuring and analyzing signals produced by said radio navigation equipment under test, said device further comprising: second connection means connected to inputs of said measuring devices and outputs of said radio navigation equipment to be tested, and second switching means for selecting inputs of said measuring devices to which applying signals outputted by said equipment under test, said second switching means being controlled by said control interface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The signal combining device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said computer comprises means for performing a test sequence defined by a sequence of high-level instructions, means for translating each high-level instruction into a series of elementary commands specific to one of said measuring and generating devices or said signal combining device, and means for transmitting each elementary command to the relevant device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The signal combining device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for demodulating a radio navigation signal with a view to analysis thereof by means of said measuring devices.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The signal combining device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said generating devices comprise random generators to generate primary low-frequency signals of predetermined waveshape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The signal combining device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said combining means comprise a means for applying a first primary signal generated by a first signal generating device to an input of a second signal generating device in order to phase and amplitude modulate a second primary signal generated by said second signal generating device, thus producing a composite low-frequency signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The signal combining device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a means for synchronizing a low-frequency signal generating device by means of the composite low-frequency signal obtained by demodulation of the radio navigation signal generated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The signal combining device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first switching means comprise means for enabling each of said generating devices to be used separately.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The signal combining device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said combining means comprise means for combining with one another signals coming from said signal generating devices.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The signal combining device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an adder for adding to one another two primary low-frequency signals generated respectively by two signal generating devices connected to said signal combining device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The signal combining device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a demodulator for separating the composite low-frequency signal from the high-frequency carrier wave.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The signal combining device as claimed in claim 1, connected via busses, as is said signal measuring and generating devices, to said computer designed to control said device and said device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The signal combining device as claimed in claim 1, connected to three random generators enabling a composite low-frequency signal to be generated, and to a high-frequency generator with a large amplitude modulation band enabling the generation of a carrier wave which is modulated by the composite low-frequency signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The signal combining device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a circulator for separating a signal produced by the device and applied to a channel of said equipment under test, from a response signal coming from that same channel, with a view to analysis thereof by said measuring devices.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-03 | 2002-02-02 | 2002-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-03 | 2006-02-02 | 2006-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-03 | 2010-02-02 | 2010-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |