System for and method of improving beyond line-of-sight transmissions and receptions

• US 7,382,315 B1
• Filed: 03/11/2003
• Issued: 06/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Spinks, Raleigh J. Jr., Stevens, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson; Matthew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rego; Dominic E.
• Application Number:
  US10/387,349
• Time in Patent Office: 1,911 Days
• Field of Search: 455/101, 455/562.1, 455/25, 455/13.3, 455/139, 455/180.3, 455/276.1, 455/220, 455/63.4, 455/129, 455/279.1, 375/347, 343/760, 343/853, 342/359, 342/360, 342/350, 342/357.06, 342/357.08, 342/357.1, 370/334
• US Class Current: 342/359
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/29 Combinations of different interacting antenna units for giving a desired directional characteristic H01Q25/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/26 varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture H01Q3/12, H01Q3/22, H01Q3/24 take precedence

Abstract

A radio system can be configured as a beyond line-of-sight system and includes a number of antennas, a number of phase adjusters and a transmitter/receiver unit. Each of the phase adjusters can be associated with a respective antenna of the antennas. The antennas can be disposed on separate platforms. The transmitter/receiver unit communicates with the phase adjusters. The communicating allows the beyond-line-of-sight system to use the antennas as a larger virtual antenna.

Claims

1. A beyond line-of-sight system, comprising a plurality of antennas, a plurality of phase adjusters, and a transmitter/receiver unit, wherein each of the phase adjusters is associated with a respective antenna of the antennas, the antennas being disposed on separate platforms, the transmitter/receiver unit communicating with the phase adjusters, whereby the communicating allows the beyond line-of-sight system to use the antennas as a larger virtual antenna, and wherein the beyond line-of-sight system is a beyond line-of-sight terrestrial communications system.

2. The beyond line-of-sight system of claim 1, wherein the system includes three or more antennas, and three or more phase adjusters, the three or more antennas being mounted on three or more distinct platforms.

3. The beyond line-of-sight system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter/receiver unit determines a relative position for each of the antennas.

4. The beyond line-of-sight system of claim 3, wherein the transmitter/receiver unit adjusts the phase adjusters in accordance with the relative position for each of the antennas.

5. The beyond line-of-sight system of claim 4, wherein the antennas are coupled to local transmitter/receivers, wherein each of the antennas is coupled to a respective local transmitter/receiver, the local transmitter/receiver and the transmitter/receiver unit communicating via a high speed communication link.

6. The beyond line-of-sight system of claim 5, wherein each of the local transmitter/receivers include an infrared, radio frequency, or optical interface for communicating with the transmitter/receiver unit.

7. The beyond line-of-sight system of claim 5, wherein transmit signals are provided to the antennas by the transmitter/receiver unit, wherein a separate transmit signal is provided to a respective transmitter/receiver of the local transmitter/receivers, the separate transmit signal is provided in relation to at least one of the transmit signals so that the antennas are a larger virtual antenna.

8. The beyond line-of-sight system of claim 7, wherein the phase adjusters are part of the transmitter/receiver unit.

9. The beyond line-of-sight system of claim 1, wherein a transmit signal is provided to the antennas through the phase adjusters by the transmitter/receiver unit, wherein the transmit signal is adjusted by the respective phase adjuster before the transmit signal reaches the antenna.

10. The beyond line-of-sight system of claim 9, wherein the phase adjusters are disposed on the platforms.

11. The beyond line-of-sight system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter/receiver unit includes an associated antenna of the antennas and at least one phase adjuster associated with the associated antenna.

12. In a communication system including at least a plurality of antennas, a radio unit comprising:

a high speed communication interface; and

a processor coupled to the high speed communication interface, the processor receiving information from the high speed interface, the information being associated with a position, relative position, or orientation of the antennas, the processor adjusting phase associated with signals transmitted from or received on the antennas in response to the information;

wherein the plurality of antennas are disposed upon mobile terrestrial platforms and wherein the communication system is configured for beyond line-of-sight communications.

13. The radio unit of claim 12, wherein the information includes antenna information about characteristics of at least one of the antennas.

14. The radio unit of claim 13, further comprising:

an environment sensor, wherein the processor adjusts the phase in response to environment information from the environment sensor.

15. The radio unit of claim 13, further comprising:

an auxiliary HF antenna receiving the signals transmitted from the antennas and providing a phase adjust feedback signal to the processor.

16. A method of operating a beyond line-of-sight system including a plurality of antennas, the method comprising:

receiving signals indicating a position or a relative position of the antennas; and

adjusting phase of signals received on or transmitted to the antennas to cause the antennas to operate as a larger virtual antenna;

wherein the plurality of antennas are disposed upon mobile terrestrial platforms and wherein the communication system is configured for beyond line-of-sight communications.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the signals indicate position or relative position to an accuracy of 1 cm or less.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the receiving step is performed by a radio unit for an HF NVIS radio system.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the system is a troposcatter system or a meteor burst system.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the position or relative position is determined by triangulation.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein the position or the relative position is determined by GPS information.