Adaptable and controllable multi-channel data link

• US 6,201,786 B1
• Filed: 06/29/1998
• Issued: 03/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Inventors: Weber, Bruce John, Zscheile, John Walter Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jung, Min
• Application Number:
  US09/107,208
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 370/316, 370/203, 370/206, 370/318, 370/465, 375/296, 375/297, 375/298, 455/12.1, 455/13.4, 455/69
• US Class Current: 370/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18506 Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/288 taking into account the usage mode, e.g. hands-free, data transmission, telephone

Abstract

In a data link system a master station is provided with transmitting apparatus capable of transmitting quadrature phase signal components representative of two diverse products either or both of which may comprise radar picture products. The dual input channels to the transmitter comprise an in-phase channel and a quadrature channel for receiving data representative of two diverse products. Independent controllers are provided in each of the dual channels capable of apportioning the power in the respective channels. A multi-mode processor is coupled to the controller in each of the dual channels so that independent control of data rates, power and picture product being transmitted is achieved.

Claims

1. Apparatus for transmitting quadrature phase signal components representative of two diverse picture products, comprising:

an in-phase channel (I) for receiving data representative of a first picture product to be transmitted,

a quadrature channel (Q) for receiving data representative of a second picture product to be transmitted,

summing means for producing a power signal,

first control means coupled in said in-phase channel and having a first picture product output signal coupled to said summing means,

second control means coupled in said quadrature channel and having a second picture product output signal coupled to said summing means,

power transmitter means coupled to the output of said summing means,

antenna means for transmitting said first and second picture product signals as a complex quadrature radio frequency signal, and

multi-mode data link (MMDL) processor means coupled to said first and second control means for independently controlling said quadrature phase signal components.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said MMDL processor means are adapted to control the amplitude of the total power signal from said summing means by apportioning power amplitude signals from said first and second control means.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said MMDL processor means increases power in said in-phase channel while simultaneously decreasing power in said quadrature channel and vice versa while maintaining said total power from said summing means.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said MMDL processor means is located in an airborne platform and comprises:

means for receiving picture product quality indicator signals from a plurality of ground stations, and

means for producing output signals coupled to said first and said second control means for maintaining a predetermined quality of picture products in said ground stations.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said MMDL processor means further includes means for maintaining a higher quality picture product of one of said two diverse picture products while virtually ignoring the other of said picture products.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said MMDL processor means further includes means for increasing and decreasing the data rate of data representative of either of said two diverse picture products.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said MMDL processor means is in an airborne platform and comprises:

means for apportioning the power in each of said quadrature channels coupled to said first and second control means,

means for receiving quality indicator signals from said ground stations, and

means for independently adjusting the data rate of the phase signal components in said quadrature channels.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said MMDL processor means further includes means for simultaneously apportioning power and adjusting the data rates in said quadrature channels in response to said quality indicator signals to maintain a predetermined picture quality in one or more of said ground stations.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said quality indicator signals from said ground stations includes the effect of jamming signals and said means for simultaneously apportioning power and adjusting data rates automatically compensates for all intermittent signals and conditions.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said MMDL processor means further includes predetermined program means for defining desired priorities and conditions, and

said means for simultaneously apportioning power and adjusting data rates automatically optimizes said picture quality corresponding to the predetermined program means.