Secondary surveillance radar interrogation system using dual frequencies
First Claim
1. A communication system for identifying the position of aircraft in a surveillance area comprising:
- a. a dual-frequency interrogator having a narrow beam, scanning antenna, said antenna being located within said surveillance area, said interrogator producing and transmitting two signals at different frequencies;
b. a processor located on said aircraft to receive said two signals and produce a signal having a frequency equivalent to the difference between said dual frequencies;
c. a transponder provided on said aircraft, said transponder tuned to a frequency equivalent to the difference between said dual frequencies, said transponder receiving said processor signal and producing a signal containing aircraft identification information;
d. stationary antenna and receiver for receiving said transponder response; and
e. an estimator for estimating the position of said aircraft.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A communication system is provided for identifying the position of aircraft in a surveillance area. The communication system includes a dual-frequency interrogator which produces two signals at different frequencies. These signals are transmitted over a narrow beam, scanning antenna, the antenna being located within the surveillance area. A transponder is provided on the aircraft with an auxiliary antenna assembly tuned to a frequency equivalent to the difference between the dual frequencies. The transponder produces a signal containing aircraft identification information. A processing unit is co-located on the aircraft with the transponder to receive the two signals transmitted by the interrogator and produce a signal equivalent to the difference between those signals. The difference signal produced by the processing unit is coupled with the transponder and is used to identify the position of aircraft on the ground. A stationary antenna and receiver are tuned to the frequency of the transponder response and receive the transponder response. The stationary receiver transmits information to a position-estimating computer regarding the time of arrival of the aircraft signal. The position-estimating computer also receives information from the interrogator regarding the time of interrogation and the position of the antenna at the interrogation time. The position-estimating computer processes this information to identify the position of the aircraft on the airport surface.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A communication system for identifying the position of aircraft in a surveillance area comprising:
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a. a dual-frequency interrogator having a narrow beam, scanning antenna, said antenna being located within said surveillance area, said interrogator producing and transmitting two signals at different frequencies; b. a processor located on said aircraft to receive said two signals and produce a signal having a frequency equivalent to the difference between said dual frequencies; c. a transponder provided on said aircraft, said transponder tuned to a frequency equivalent to the difference between said dual frequencies, said transponder receiving said processor signal and producing a signal containing aircraft identification information; d. stationary antenna and receiver for receiving said transponder response; and e. an estimator for estimating the position of said aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for identifying the position of aircraft in a surveillance area wherein a dual-frequency interrogator having a narrow beam, scanning antenna is located within said surveillance area and a transponder tuned to a frequency equivalent to the difference between said dual frequencies is provided on said aircraft comprising the steps of;
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a. producing and transmitting two interrogation signals at different frequencies at said interrogator; b. receiving said two interrogation signals on said aircraft; c. processing said two signals and producing a difference signal equivalent to the difference between said two signals; d. receiving said difference signal at said transponder and producing and transmitting a transponder signal, said transponder signal containing aircraft identification information; e. receiving said transponder response at a stationary antenna; and f. estimating the position of said aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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Specification