Automatic dependant surveillance systems and methods

• US 20090146875A1
• Filed: 11/25/2008
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zane Hovey
• Original Assignee: Zane Hovey
• Inventors: Hovey, Zane
• Granted Patent: US 8,072,374 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.310
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/04 Anti-collision systems

Abstract

A communications system including an automated dependant surveillance-broadcast system and a global positioning system integrated into a single unit. A radio frequency receiver receives analog automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information at a selected transmission frequency and converts that information into digital form. A global positioning system receiver receives global positioning information including timing information. A processing subsystem decodes the digitized automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information in response to the timing information received by the global positioning system receiver.

Claims

1. A communications system including an automated dependant surveillance-broadcast system and a global positioning system integrated into a single unit comprising:

a radio frequency receiver for receiving analog automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information at a selected transmission frequency and converting said information into digitized automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast information;

a global positioning system receiver for receiving global positioning information including timing information; and

a processing subsystem for decoding the digitized automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information in response to the timing information provided by the global positioning system receiver.

2. The integrated communications system of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency receiver comprises one of a plurality of selectable radio frequency receivers operating in corresponding radio frequency bands.

3. The integrated communications system of claim 2, wherein the processing system is operable to decode digitized automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information modulated in a selected one of continuous phase shift key and pulse position modulation.

4. The integrated communications system of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency receiver comprises:

analog processing circuitry for receiving the analog automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information at a selected transmission frequency and down-converting said analog information to an intermediate center frequency;

circuitry for splitting the analog information into first and second sub-channels;

circuitry for up-shifting the first sub-channel from the intermediate center frequency by a selected amount and for down-shifting the second sub-channel from the intermediate frequency by the selected amount;

a first filter tuned to the frequency of the first sub-channel for generating a logic one output; and

a second filter tuned to the frequency of the second sub-channel for generating a logic zero output.

5. The integrated communications system of claim 4, wherein the selected amount is approximately one-half of a total channel bandwidth of said analog information.

6. The integrated communications system of claim 1, wherein the digitized automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast information are packetized.

7. The integrated communications system of claim 1, wherein the processing subsystem is implemented with a microcontroller.

8. The integrated communications system of claim 1, wherein the processing system is implemented with a digital signal processor.

9. The integrated communications system of claim 1, wherein the single unit further comprises at least a selected one of an integral global positioning system antenna and an integrated radio frequency antenna.

10. An automated dependant surveillance-broadcast receiving system with an integral global positioning receiver comprising:

a first radio frequency receiver for receiving first analog automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information at a first selected transmission frequency and converting said first analog information into first digitized automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast information;

a second radio frequency receiver for receiving second analog automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information at a second selected transmission frequency and converting said second analog information into second digitized automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast information;

a global positioning system receiver for receiving global positioning information including timing information; and

a processing subsystem for decoding at least one the first and second digitized automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information in response to the timing information provided by the global positioning system receiver.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first and second radio frequency receivers operate in response to a common local oscillator.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the processing subsystem is operable to decode automated dependant surveillance-broadcast information received in a selected one of modulated in a selected one of continuous phase shift key modulation and pulse position modulation.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the first radio receiver comprises:

a down converter for down-converting analog automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information received at the first selected transmission frequency to an intermediate center frequency;

circuitry for up-shifting a first sub-channel from the intermediate center frequency by approximately half an overall channel bandwidth and for down-shifting a second sub-channel from the intermediate frequency by half the overall channel bandwidth;

a first filter tuned to the frequency of the first sub-channel for generating a logic one output; and

a second filter tuned to the frequency of the second sub-channel for generating a logic zero output.

14. The system of claim 10, further comprising an antenna port for receiving analog frequency signals from an antenna for distribution to at least one of the first and second radio frequency receivers.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the antenna is integral with the system.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the processing subsystem is further operable to decode Mode A, C, and S information, received by a selected one of the first and second radio frequency receivers, for use in passive collision warning.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising an integral pressure altimeter for use in passive collision warning.

18. The system of claim 10, further comprising power supply circuitry operable from a selected one of an integral battery and an auxiliary power source.