Aviation transponder
First Claim
1. An aviation transponder comprising:
- a housing;
at least one antenna port;
at least one input port to receive sensor data;
at least one controller configured to control at least a portion of operations of the aviation transponder;
a local oscillator configured to generate a radio signal at a first frequency;
a distribution component coupled to the local oscillator and configured to selectively couple the local oscillator to a transmit path or a mixer associated with a receive path; and
a switch coupled to an antenna path and configured to selectively couple the antenna path to the transmit path or to the receive path;
wherein the antenna path includes at least one first filter;
wherein the transmit path includes at least one transmit amplifier;
wherein the receive path including at least;
at least one receive amplifier;
at least one second filter; and
the mixer; and
wherein the at least one controller is configured to, at a first time;
enable the at least one transmit amplifier;
cause the switch to couple the transmit path to the antenna path; and
cause the at least one antenna port to output an identification signal.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved aviation transponder is discussed herein. The improved aviation transponder demonstrates improved cohabitation and survivability characteristics, allowing the transponder to be placed near other antennas without causing or receiving interference, and reducing potential damage caused by high-energy electromagnetic fields, such as those experienced near an air traffic control (ATC) or military radar installation. Additionally, a small form factor of the transponder results in a smaller, more compact aircraft that consumes less energy, reduces heat dissipation, and maximizes battery life and/or flight time. The transponder may comply with modular interface standards, and may include a radio configured for transmitting 200-watt signals. Based at least in part on the improved performance, the transponder can be implemented in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), for example.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An aviation transponder comprising:
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a housing; at least one antenna port; at least one input port to receive sensor data; at least one controller configured to control at least a portion of operations of the aviation transponder; a local oscillator configured to generate a radio signal at a first frequency; a distribution component coupled to the local oscillator and configured to selectively couple the local oscillator to a transmit path or a mixer associated with a receive path; and a switch coupled to an antenna path and configured to selectively couple the antenna path to the transmit path or to the receive path; wherein the antenna path includes at least one first filter; wherein the transmit path includes at least one transmit amplifier; wherein the receive path including at least; at least one receive amplifier; at least one second filter; and the mixer; and wherein the at least one controller is configured to, at a first time; enable the at least one transmit amplifier; cause the switch to couple the transmit path to the antenna path; and cause the at least one antenna port to output an identification signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A transponder comprising:
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at least one antenna port; at least one controller; a local oscillator configured to generate a radio signal at a first frequency; a first switch coupled to the local oscillator and configured to selectively couple the local oscillator to a transmit path or a receive path; and a second switch coupled to an antenna path and configured to selectively couple the antenna path to the transmit path or to the receive path; wherein the at least one controller is configured to, at a first time; cause the first switch to couple the local oscillator to at least a portion of the receive path; cause the second switch to couple the receive path to the antenna path; and receive an interrogation signal via the at least one antenna port; and wherein the at least one controller is configured to, at a second time after the first time; enable at least one transmit amplifier associated with the transmit path; cause the first switch to couple the local oscillator to the transmit path; cause the second switch to couple the transmit path to the antenna path; and cause the at least one antenna port to output an identification signal at least partially in response to receiving the interrogation signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising:
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causing, by at least one controller of a transponder, and at a first time, a first switch to couple a local oscillator to at least a portion of a receive path of the transponder; causing, by the at least one controller, a second switch to couple the receive path to an antenna path of the transponder; receiving an interrogation signal via at least one antenna port; enabling, by the at least one controller, at least one transmit amplifier associated with a transmit path; causing, by the at least one controller, and at a second time that is different than the first time, the first switch to couple the local oscillator to the transmit path; causing, by the at least one controller, the second switch to couple the transmit path to the antenna path; and causing, by the at least one controller, at least one antenna port to output an identification signal at least partially in response to receiving the interrogation signal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification