Switched Combiner GPS Receiver System

• US 20070222680A1
• Filed: 03/24/2006
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aerospace Corporation
• Original Assignee: Aerospace Corporation
• Inventors: Tseng, Gan-Tai, McKay, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,663,548 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/427
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/36 relating to the receiver frond end
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/02 providing sum and difference patterns H01Q25/04 takes precedence

Abstract

A receiving system includes a combiner configured to receive signals from two or more antenna elements and to generate sum and difference outputs, and a switch configured to sequentially provide the sum and difference outputs as inputs to a receiver.

Claims

1. A receiving system comprising:

a combiner configured to receive signals from two or more antenna elements and to generate sum and difference outputs; and

a switch configured to sequentially provide the sum and difference outputs as inputs to a receiver.

2. The receiving system of claim 1, wherein the combiner is a microwave hybrid combiner.

3. The receiving system of claim 1, wherein the two or more antenna elements are positioned on a launch vehicle.

4. The receiving system of claim 1, wherein the switch is configured to sequence through the sum and difference outputs at a substantially constant rate.

5. The receiving system of claim 1, wherein the switch is configured to sequence through the sum and difference outputs in a substantially periodic manner.

6. The receiving system of claim 1, wherein the switch is a toggle switch.

7. The receiving system of claim 1, wherein the switch is a single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) switch.

8. The receiving system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.

9. A receiving system comprising:

a sum and difference combiner configured to receive signals from two or more antenna elements and to generate combiner outputs;

a receiver; and

means for selectively providing the combiner outputs as inputs to the receiver.

10. The receiving system of claim 9, wherein the sum and difference combiner is a microwave hybrid combiner.

11. The receiving system of claim 9, wherein the two or more antenna elements are positioned on a launch vehicle.

12. The receiving system of claim 9, wherein the receiver is a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.

13. The receiving system of claim 9, wherein the means for selectively providing the combiner outputs is configured to sequence through the combiner outputs at a substantially constant rate.

14. The receiving system of claim 9, wherein the means for selectively providing the combiner outputs is configured to sequence through the combiner outputs in a substantially periodic manner.

15. The receiving system of claim 9, wherein the means for selectively providing the combiner outputs includes a toggle switch.

16. The receiving system of claim 9, wherein the means for selectively providing the combiner outputs includes a single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) switch.

17. A receiving method comprising:

combining outputs of two or more antenna elements to generate sum and difference signals; and

sequentially switching between the sum and difference signals to provide inputs to a receiver.

18. The receiving method of claim 17, wherein the switching occurs at a substantially constant rate.

19. The receiving method of claim 17, wherein the switching is substantially periodic.

20. A receiving method comprising:

providing a launch vehicle with two or more antenna elements;

combining outputs of the two or more antenna elements to generate sum and difference signals; and

switching between the sum and difference signals to provide inputs to a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.