Spread spectrum intercept apparatus and method

• US 5,016,256 A
• Filed: 10/17/1989
• Issued: 05/14/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Juanita H. Stewart
• Original Assignee: Clarence H. Stewart, Juanita H. Stewart
• Inventors: Stewart, Clarence H.
• Primary Examiner(s): CANGIALOSI, SALVATORE A
• Application Number:
  US07/422,838
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 375/1
• US Class Current: 375/132
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/713 using frequency hopping

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting an intercept signal having spread spectrum modulation, having a first antenna, a second antenna, a first channelizer, a second channelizer, parametric encoders, a spread hopper processor and a nonspread hopper processor. The first antenna outputs a first sample of the intercept signal. The second antenna outputs a second sample of the intercept signal. The first channelizer channelizes the spectrum of the first sample of the intercept signal into a first plurality of spectrum segments, with each spectrum segment having a corresponding segment signal, respectively. The second channelizer channelizes the spectrum of the second sample of the intercept signal into a second plurality of spectrum segments having the same center frequencies and bandwidths as the first plurality of spectrum segments. Each spectrum segment of the second plurality of spectrum segments has a corresponding segment signal, respectively. The parametric encoders measure a corresponding plurality of frequencies and times of arrival of each of the first plurality of segment signals, respectively, and estimates a plurality of segment phase angles between corresponding segment signals having the same center frequency, of the first and second plurality of segment signals from the first and second channelizers, respectively.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting an intercept signal having spread spectrum modulation, comprising:

a first antenna for outputting the intercept signal;

first means for channelizing the spectrum of the intercept signal into a first plurality of spectrum segments, with each spectrum segment having a corresponding segment signal, respectively;

a parametric encoder for measuring a corresponding plurality of frequencies of each of the first plurality of segment signals, respectively; and

means for generating from the plurality of frequencies a frequency estimate of the intercept signal.

2. The apparatus for detecting an intercept signal having spread spectrum modulation as set forth in claim 1 further comprising:

means for measuring a corresponding plurality of times of arrival of each of the first plurality of segment signals; and

means for generating from the plurality of times of arrival, a time of arrival estimate of the intercept signal.

3. An apparatus for detecting an intercept signal having spread spectrum modulation, comprising:

a first antenna for outputting the intercept signal;

first means for channelizing the spectrum of the intercept signal into a first plurality of spectrum segments, with each spectrum segment having a corresponding segment signal, respectively;

a parametric encoder for measuring a corresponding plurality of times of arrival of each of the first plurality of segment signals; and

means for generating from the plurality of times of arrival a time of arrival estimate of the intercept signal.

4. An apparatus for detecting an intercept signal having spread spectrum modulation, comprising:

a first antenna for outputting the intercept signal;

a channelizer for channelizing the spectrum of the intercept signal into a first plurality of spectrum segments, with each spectrum segment having a corresponding segment signal, respectively;

a parametric encoder for measuring a corresponding plurality of frequencies of each of the first plurality of segment signals, respectively; and

means for generating from the plurality of frequencies a frequency estimate of the intercept signal.

5. The apparatus for detecting an intercept signal having spread spectrum modulation as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

said parametric encoder measures a corresponding plurality of times of arrival of each of the first plurality of segment signals; and

said generating means generates from the plurality of times of arrival, a time of arrival estimate of the intercept signal.

6. An apparatus for detecting an intercept signal having spread spectrum modulation, comprising:

a first antenna for outputting the intercept signal;

a channelizer for channelizing the spectrum of the intercept signal into a first plurality of spectrum segments, with each spectrum segment having a corresponding segment signal, respectively;

a parametric encoder for measuring a corresponding plurality of times of arrival of each of the first plurality of segment signals; and

means for generating from the plurality of times of arrival a time of arrival estimate of the intercept signal.

7. An method using a parametric encoder for detecting an intercept signal having spread spectrum modulation, comprising the steps, using said parametric encoder, of:

outputting from a first antenna the intercept signal;

channelizing the spectrum of the intercept signal into a first plurality of spectrum segments, with each spectrum segment having a corresponding segment signal, respectively;

measuring with said parametric encoder a corresponding plurality of frequencies of each of the first plurality of segment signals, respectively; and

generating from the plurality of frequencies a frequency estimate of the intercept signal.

8. The method as set forth in claim 17 further comprising the steps of:

measuring with said parametric encoder a corresponding plurality of times of arrival of each of the first plurality of segment signals; and

generating from the plurality of times of arrival, a time of arrival estimate of the intercept signal.

9. A method using a parametric encoder for detecting an intercept signal having spread spectrum modulation, comprising the steps, using said parametric encoder, of:

outputting from an antenna the intercept signal;

channelizing the spectrum of the intercept signal into a first plurality of spectrum segments, with each spectrum segment having a corresponding segment signal, respectively;

measuring with said parametric encoder a corresponding plurality of times of arrival of each of the first plurality of segment signals; and

generating from the plurality of times of arrival a time of arrival estimate of the intercept signal.