System for Response to a Signal Transmitted by a Radar and Use of this System Notably for Testing Radars, in Particular of the MTI Type

• US 20120001794A1
• Filed: 12/21/2010
• Published: 01/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thales SA
• Original Assignee: Thales SA
• Inventors: Cornic, Pascal, Levaufre, Régis
• Granted Patent: US 8,487,809 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/174
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/75 using transponders powered from received waves, e.g. using passive transponders , or using passive reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/756 using a signal generator for modifying the reflectivity of the reflector G01S13/758 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4004 of parts of a radar system
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4052 by simulation of echoes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4095 the external reference signals being modulated, e.g. rotating a dihedral reflector or modulating a transponder for simulation of a Doppler echo

Abstract

A system for response to a signal transmitted by a radar includes: a passive antenna capable of receiving and then backscattering a signal transmitted by said radar; a microwave switch connected to said antenna; at least two microwave lines each having a distinct impedance and being connected to the microwave switch; and a generator capable of generating a parametrizable control signal and sending it to the microwave switch so that it switches onto one or other of the microwave lines, so as to modulate the signal backscattered by said antenna.

Claims

1. A system for response to a signal transmitted by a radar, comprising:

a passive antenna capable of receiving and then backscattering a signal transmitted by said radar;

a microwave switch connected to said antenna;

at least two microwave lines each having a distinct impedance and being connected to the microwave switch; and

a generator capable of generating a parametrizable control signal and sending it to the microwave switch so that it switches onto one or other of the microwave lines, so as to modulate the signal backscattered by said antenna, two successive microwave lines having a length difference equal to λ

/2, λ

being the wavelength of the signal received by the antenna.

2. The system according to claim 1, comprising two microwave lines.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the generator is capable of controlling the switch as a function of a predefined code.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said generator is capable of controlling the switch dynamically.

5. A method of using a system according to claim 1, within an airborne target co-operating with said radar.

6. A method of using a system according to claim 1, for calibrating said radar.

7. A method of using a system according to claim 1, within location beacons.