ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION SOURCE LOCATING SYSTEM

• US 20150301156A1
• Filed: 09/10/2012
• Published: 10/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gerald F. Miller
• Original Assignee: Gerald F. Miller
• Inventors: Miller, Gerald F.
• Granted Patent: US 9,874,625 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/04 using angle measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/08 for measuring distance only indirect measurement G01S17/46; active triangulation systems G01S17/48
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/10 using transmission of interrupted, pulse-modulated waves determination of distance by phase measurements G01S17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/86 Combinations of lidar systems with systems other than lidar, radar or sonar, e.g. with direction finders
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/04 Position of source determined by a plurality of spaced direction-finders
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/16 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves

Abstract

An electromagnetic radiation source locating system including an electromagnetic radiation sensor including an antenna configured to detect a radiant energy transmission. A position detector is in communication with the controller and is configured to detect the position of the antenna relative to a reference coordinate system, while an orientation sensor is in communication with the controller and is configured to detect the orientation of the antenna and provide an orientation signal to the controller. A range sensor is configured to detect the distance to an aligned object in the path of a directional vector and provide a distance signal indicative thereof to the controller. An aerial vehicle may be in communication with the controller and configured to drop a marker for guiding navigators to the source of the radiant energy transmission.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic radiation source locating system comprising:

a electromagnetic radiation sensor including an antenna configured to detect a radiant energy transmission;

a controller in communication with the electromagnetic radiation sensor;

a support operably coupled to the electromagnetic radiation sensor for supporting the antenna in a plurality of orientations relative to the radiant energy transmission;

a position detector in communication with the controller, the position detector configured to detect the translational position of the antenna relative to a reference coordinate system and provide a position signal indicative thereof to the controller;

an orientation detector in communication with the controller, the orientation detector configured to detect the rotational orientation of the antenna and provide an orientation signal indicative thereof to the controller;

the controller being configured to determine a directional vector to a source of the radiant energy transmission in response to the orientation signal; and

a range sensor in communication with the controller, the range sensor configured to detect a distance to an aligned object in the path of the directional vector and providing a distance signal indicative thereof to the controller.

2. The electromagnetic radiation source locating system of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a Yagi directional antenna operably coupled to a radio frequency signal processor.

3. The electromagnetic radiation source locating system of claim 1, wherein the range sensor comprises a laser range finder configured to transmit a laser pulse and determine distance to the aligned object based upon the pulse as reflected off of the aligned object.

4. The electromagnetic radiation source locating system of claim 1, wherein the position detector comprises a global positioning system receiver.

5. The electromagnetic radiation source locating system of claim 1, wherein the orientation sensor includes a digital compass.

6. The electromagnetic radiation source locating system of claim 1, further comprising an actuator configured to move the antenna about at least two perpendicular axes.

7. The electromagnetic radiation source locating system of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a spatial processor configured to calculate the location of the source of the radiant energy transmission source based upon at least two different directional vectors.

8. The electromagnetic radiation source locating system of claim 1, further comprising:

a transmitter operably coupled to the controller;

an aerial vehicle in communication with the transmitter; and

a marker carried by the aerial vehicle and configured to be dropped proximate the radiant energy transmission source.

9. The electromagnetic radiation source locating system of claim 1, further comprising a visual line-of-sight device.

10. The electromagnetic radiation source locating system of claim 9, wherein the visual line-of-sight device comprises an infrared scope configured to detect light emitted by the range sensor.

11. The electromagnetic radiation source locating system of claim 1, further comprising a camera operably coupled to the controller.

12. A radio frequency source locating system comprising:

a directional antenna configured to receive radio frequency signals;

a radio frequency signal processor operably coupled to the antenna;

a support configured to be mounted to a vehicle and operably coupled to the antenna;

an actuator configured to rotate the directional antenna about at least two perpendicular axes;

a controller in communication with the radio frequency signal processor and configured to cause the actuator to orient the antenna in a direction based upon the strength of the radio frequency signals;

a position detector in communication with the controller, the position detector configured to detect the translational position of the receiving device relative to a reference coordinate system and provide a position signal indicative thereof to the controller;

an orientation detector in communication with the controller, the orientation detector and configured to detect the rotational orientation of the antenna and provide an orientation signal indicative thereof to the controller; and

wherein the controller is configured to determine a directional vector to a source of the radio frequency signals in response to the orientation signal.

13. The radio frequency source locating system of claim 12, further comprising a range sensor for directing a light source along the directional vector and provide a distance signal to the controller.

14. The radio frequency source locating system of claim 12, wherein the position detector comprises a global positioning system receiver.

15. The radio frequency source locating system of claim 12, wherein the orientation sensor includes a digital compass.

16. The radio frequency source locating system of claim 12, wherein the controller includes a spatial processor configured to calculate the location of the source of the radiant energy transmission based upon at least two different direction vectors.

17. The radio frequency source locating system of claim 12, further comprising:

a transmitter operably coupled to the controller;

an aerial vehicle in communication with the transmitter; and

a marker carried by the aerial vehicle and configured to be dropped proximate the radio frequency signal source.

18. The radio frequency source locating system of claim 12, further comprising a visual line-of-sight device configured to detect infrared light.

19. An electromagnetic radiation source locating system comprising:

a electromagnetic radiation sensor including a collector configured to detect a radiant energy transmission;

a controller in communication with the electromagnetic radiation sensor;

a support operably coupled to the electromagnetic radiation sensor and configured to orient the collector of the electromagnetic radiation sensor in a direction toward the strongest radiant energy transmission detected by the collector;

a position detector in communication with the controller, the position detector configured to detect the translational position of the electromagnetic radiation sensor relative to a reference coordinate system and provide a position signal indicative thereof to the controller;

an orientation detector in communication with the controller, the orientation detector configured to detect the rotational orientation of the collector of the electromagnetic radiation sensor and provide an orientation signal indicative thereof to the controller;

the controller being configured to determine a directional vector to a source of the radiant energy transmission in response to the orientation signal, the controller including a spatial processor configured to calculate the location of the radiant energy transmission source based upon at least two different directional vectors;

an aerial vehicle in communication with the controller; and

a marker configured to be dropped by the aerial vehicle on the calculated location of the radiant energy transmission source.

20. The electromagnetic radiation source locating system of claim 19, further comprising a range sensor for directing a light source along the directional vector and provide a distance signal to the controller.

21. The electromagnetic radiation source locating system of claim 19, wherein the position detector comprises a global positioning system receiver.

22. The electromagnetic radiation source locating system of claim 19, wherein the orientation sensor comprises a digital compass.

23. The electromagnetic radiation source locating system of claim 19, further comprising an actuator in communication with the controller and configured to move the collector.

24. The electromagnetic radiation source locating system of claim 19, further comprising a visual line-of-sight device configured to detect infrared light.

25. The electromagnetic radiation source locating system of claim 19, wherein the collector comprises a directional antenna configured to receive radio frequency signals.

26-36. -36. (canceled)

37. An electromagnetic radiation source locating system comprising:

a first mobile structure comprising;

a first electromagnetic radiation receiving device configured to detect a radiant energy transmission;

a first directional antenna operably coupled to the first electromagnetic radiation receiving device;

a first support operably coupled to the first electromagnetic radiation receiving device for orienting the first directional antenna in a direction toward the radiant energy transmission;

a first position detector in communication with a first controller and configured to detect a position of the first directional antenna relative to a reference coordinate system;

a first orientation detector in communication with the first controller and configured to detect an orientation of the first directional antenna and provide a first directional vector indicative thereof to the first controller; and

a first range sensor adapted to direct a first laser range finder along the first directional vector and providing a first distance signal from a reflection from a first surface in a line of sight of said first laser range finder which is communicated to the first controller;

a second mobile structure comprising;

a second electromagnetic radiation receiving device configured to detect the radiant energy transmission;

a second directional antenna operably coupled to the second electromagnetic radiation receiving device;

a second support operably coupled to the second electromagnetic radiation receiving device for orienting the second directional antenna in a direction toward the radiant energy transmission;

a second position detector configured to detect the position of the second directional antenna relative to the reference coordinate system;

a second orientation detector in communication with a second controller and configured to detect the orientation of the second directional antenna and provide a second directional vector indicative thereof to the second controller; and

a second range sensor adapted to direct a second laser range finder along the second directional vector and providing a second distance signal from a reflection from a second surface in a line of sight of said second laser range finder which is communicated to the second controller;

wherein the second controller is configured to determine a second directional vector to the radiant energy transmission source;

wherein said first controller is configured to communicate said first directional signal, said first distance signal, and said first directional vector to said second controller;

wherein said second controller is configured to communicate said second directional signal, said second distance signal, and said second directional vector to said first controller.

wherein the first and second controllers each further comprise a spatial processor configured to calculate a location of the radiant energy transmission source based upon at least two different directional vectors comprising said first and second directional vector.

38. An electromagnetic radiation source locating system comprising:

a first mobile structure and a second mobile structure;

wherein said first mobile structure comprises;

a first electromagnetic radiation receiving device configured to detect a radiant energy transmission;

a first directional antenna operably coupled to the first electromagnetic radiation receiving device;

a first support operably coupled to the first electromagnetic radiation receiving device for orienting the first directional antenna in a direction toward the radiant energy transmission;

a first controller;

a first position detector in communication with the first controller and configured to detect a location of the first directional antenna relative to a reference coordinate system and output a first position data;

a first orientation detector in communication with the first controller and configured to detect an orientation of the first directional antenna and provide a first directional vector indicative thereof to the first controller; and

a first range sensor adapted to direct a first laser range finder along the first directional vector and providing a first laser rangefinder distance data from a reflection from a first surface in a line of sight of said first laser range finder which is communicated to the first controller;

a first visible light marker adapted to be oriented along the first directional vector;

a first user interface;

wherein said second mobile structure comprises;

a second electromagnetic radiation receiving device configured to detect the radiant energy transmission;

a second directional antenna operably coupled to the second electromagnetic radiation receiving device;

a second support operably coupled to the second electromagnetic radiation receiving device for orienting the second directional antenna in a direction toward the radiant energy transmission;

a second position detector configured to detect a location of the second directional antenna relative to the reference coordinate system and output a second position data;

a second orientation detector in communication with a second controller and configured to detect the orientation of the second directional antenna and provide a second orientation signal indicative thereof to the second controller;

a second range sensor adapted to direct a second laser range finder along the second directional vector and providing a second laser rangefinder distance data from a reflection from a second surface in a line of sight of said second laser range finder which is communicated to the second controller;

a second visible light marker adapted to be oriented along the second directional vector; and

a second user interface;

wherein said first controller is configured to communicate said first distance signal, and said first directional vector to said second controller;

wherein said second controller is configured to communicate said second directional signal and said second directional vector to said first controller;

wherein the first and second controllers each further comprise a spatial processor configured to calculate the location of the radiant energy transmission source relative to the reference coordinate system based upon said first and second location data and at least two different directional vectors comprising said first and second directional vector;

wherein said first and second controller determine a first distance from said first location data to the location of the radiant energy transmission source and a second distance from said second location data to the location of the radiant energy transmission source;

wherein said first controller displays a first display on said first user interface if the first distance and the first laser rangefinder distance are within first predetermined difference value range;

wherein said second controller displays a second display on said second user interface if the second distance and the second laser rangefinder distance are within a second predetermined difference value range.