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Autocalibrating interferometer

  • US 4,673,944 A
  • Filed: 03/12/1984
  • Issued: 06/16/1987
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1984
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An autocalibration subsystem for a direction-finding interferometer, said interferometer having first and second antennas, first and second signal channels, and a primary comparator for comparing signals according to a predetermined characteristic, said first signal channel being adapted for transmitting the output of said first antenna to said primary comparator, said second signal channel being adapted for transmitting the output of said second antenna to said primary comparator, said subsystem comprising:

  • first and second reversing switches, each reversing switch means having an input port, an output port, a third port and a fourth port;

    a signal source for providing a calibrate signal to the input port of each of said reversing switches;

    a secondary comparator for comparing two signals according to said predetermined characteristic, said secondary comparator having first and second inputs, said first input of said secondary comparator being adapted for receiving a signal from said output port of said first reversing switch, said second input of said secondary comparator being adapted for receiving a signal from said output port of said second reversing switch, said secondary comparator being adapted for detecting the phase difference of signals received at its first and second inputs;

    first and second couplers located adjacent respective said antennas, each coupler having first and second inputs and an output, each said coupler output serving as an input to the respective said signal channel, each said first input of each said coupler being electrically connected to the output of the respective said antenna, each said second input of each said coupler being electrically connected to said third port and said fourth port of the respective said reversing switch so that a signal path exists between respective third and fourth ports; and

    controller means for alternately providing first and second concurrent switch conditions in said reversing switches so that in said first condition each said input port is electrically connected to the respective said third port and each said output port is electrically connected to the respective said fourth port, and so that in said second condition each said input port is electrically connected to the respective said fourth port and each said output port is electrically connected to the respective said third port.

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