System and method for providing remote target identification using radiofrequency identification

• US 10,371,792 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2015
• Issued: 08/06/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Command and Control Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Command and Control Solutions LLC
• Inventors: Rakeman, James W., Stephens, David E., Miller, Thomas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory, Bernarr E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Malley, Sr., Daniel P
• Application Number:
  US14/802,517
• Publication Number:
  US 20170016977A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,481 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/00 UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/42 Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S13/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/66 Radar-tracking systems; Analogous systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/74 Systems using reradiation of radio waves, e.g. secondary radar systems; Analogous systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/86 Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/74 Systems using reradiation of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. IFF, i.e. identification of friend or foe
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/003 Transmission of data between radar, sonar or lidar systems and remote stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/502 LED transmitters

Abstract

A system for providing remote target identification is provided that includes a radar system and an electro-optical detector. The radar system is configured to locate a remote target. The electro-optical detector is configured to detect an optical signal transmitted from the target when the target is located. The optical signal includes identifying data for the target.

Claims

1. A system for providing remote target identification, comprising:

a radar system configured to;

generate and transmit a radar signal to a target;

locate the target using the radar signal; and

generate a target location where the target is located; and

an electro-optical detector that is co-mounted and north-aligned with the radar system, the electro-optical detector configured to;

receive the target location from the radar system;

detect an optical signal transmitted by the target, wherein the optical signal is transmitted by the target in response to reception of the radar signal, and wherein the optical signal comprises identifying data for the target;

determine an identity and a status of the target based on the identifying data for the target; and

provide the identity and status of the target to the radar system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electro-optical detector is further configured to decode the optical signal to extract the identifying data.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the status indicates whether the target is friendly.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical signal is transmitted from an optical transmitter of the target, and wherein the optical transmitter comprises a light-emitting diode.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the electro-optical detector is further configured to attempt to detect a second optical signal from a second target and to determine a status of the second target based on a failure to detect the second optical signal from the second target.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the radar system is further configured to notify the electro-optical detector of the target location.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the target comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the radar signal comprises an interrogation waveform generated by a waveform generator.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the radar system further comprises a high-power amplifier.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the radar signal is configured to be detected by a radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna at the target.

11. A method for providing remote target identification, comprising:

generating, by a radar system, a radar signal;

transmitting, by the radar system, the radar signal to a target;

locating, by the radar system, the target using the radar signal;

generating, by the radar system, a target location where the target is located;

receiving, by an electro-optical detector, the target location from the radar system, wherein the electro-optical detector is co-mounted and north-aligned with the radar system;

detecting, by the electro-optical detector, an optical signal transmitted by the target, wherein the optical signal is transmitted by the target in response to reception of the radar signal, and wherein the optical signal comprises identifying data for the target;

determining, by the electro-optical detector, an identity and a status of the target based on the identifying data for the target; and

providing, by the electro-optical detector, the identity and status of the target to the radar system.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the electro-optical detector is further configured to decode the optical signal to extract the identifying data.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the status indicates whether the target is friendly.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the optical signal is transmitted from an optical transmitter of the target, and wherein the optical transmitter comprises a light-emitting diode.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the electro-optical detector is further configured to attempt to detect a second optical signal from a second target and to determine a status of the second target based on a failure to detect the second optical signal from the second target.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the radar system is further configured to notify the electro-optical detector of the target location.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the target comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the radar signal comprises an interrogation waveform generated by a waveform generator.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the radar system further comprises a high-power amplifier.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the radar signal is configured to be detected by a radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna at the target.